Cal Coast Student Financial Center - Trainee (Student Services Professional I/A)

California State University, Chico; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

San Diego State University’s Cal Coast Student Financial Center is seeking a Trainee to support students and families with financial aid, scholarships, and billing. You will assist with counseling, document review, and program administration while learning compliance requirements and center operations.

The role emphasizes hands‑on training, supervision, and opportunities to develop skills in data reporting, digital communication, and peer staff coordination within a high‑volume student services

Qualifications

• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data; reason logically and make recommendations.
• Clear oral communication in group meetings, interviews, and presentations.
• Compassionate customer service experience in a higher education context.

Responsibilities

• Provide student-centered guidance on financial aid, scholarships, and billing.
• Review financial aid documents and eligibility analyses under supervision.
• Support program administration and operation of the CCSFC services.
• Coordinate student workers, training, and scheduling.
• Monitor service center operations and manage digital communications.

Skills

Data analysis

Verbal communication

Written communication

Customer service

Diversity & inclusion

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Professional empathy

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in behavioral sciences, public or business administration

Job description

Cal Coast Student Financial Center - Trainee (Student Services Professional I/A)

Job no: 563397
Work type: Staff
Location: San Diego
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Temporary, Full Time, Student Services, Telecommute eligible (work onsite as scheduled and/or as requested and telecommute as scheduled)

Position Summary

Are you interested in helping students and families navigate financial aid, scholarships, and student account questions? San Diego State University’s Cal Coast Student Financial Center (CCSFC) is seeking a Cal Coast Student Financial Center - Trainee to provide student-centered guidance while developing expertise in financial aid and student financial services.

Working under close supervision and as part of a shared services team, the Cal Coast Student Financial Center - Trainee supports prospective and continuing students, parents, and families through individual counseling, group outreach, and assistance with financial aid eligibility, scholarships, student billing, academic progress, budgeting, and financial circumstances that may affect attendance. Cal Coast Student Financial Center - Trainee uses interviewing and counseling techniques to gather information, explain aid decisions and requirements, and respond thoughtfully to a wide range of questions and concerns.

The Cal Coast Student Financial Center - Trainee receives hands‑on training in reviewing financial aid documents and system-generated need analyses and awards for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. The role also supports student worker recruitment and scheduling, financial aid program administration, virtual and in‑person center operations, social media and chatbot accounts, and reporting for the Center. Through this work, the position helps the Cal Coast Student Financial Center provide accessible, centralized support that promotes student success.

Key Responsibilities

• Student Counseling: Provide trained, student‑centered guidance to prospective and continuing students, parents, and families regarding financial aid, scholarships, billing, academic progress, budgeting, and aid eligibility requirements.
• Case Support: Gather and review information about individual student circumstances, explain the basis for aid decisions, and assist with identifying appropriate resources and next steps under direct supervision.
• Application Review: Review financial aid documents and system‑generated need analyses and awards, assist with scholarship processing, and apply established laws, regulations, policies, and procedures with training and oversight.
• Program Administration: Process financial aid documents and provide administrative support needed to make accurate and timely awards and support the operations of financial aid and student financial services programs.
• Student Worker Coordination: Assist with recruiting and selecting Junior Counselors, coordinate training, create staffing schedules, account for absences and vacation requests, and approve hours through PeopleSoft.
• Center Operations: Help monitor the physical and virtual service centers, analyze report data, update the internal Google Site, and support the smooth delivery of services across the shared resource environment.
• Digital Communication: Maintain and update the Center’s Instagram, Facebook, and chatbot accounts to help communicate financial aid, scholarship, and student financial services information.

Why Join Us?

• Student Success: Help students and families understand and navigate financial aid, scholarships, billing, and other financial issues that may affect their ability to attend SDSU.
• Hands‑On Training: Build practical experience in student counseling, financial aid processes, document review, interviewing, and applying established policies and procedures.
• Shared Services: Work in a centralized student financial center that connects students with assistance related to financial aid, scholarships, student billing, and financial literacy.
• Direct Engagement: Communicate with students, parents, families, and the public through individual counseling, group outreach, and in‑person and virtual service channels.
• Professional Development: Develop experience in program administration, student worker coordination, data reporting, digital communication, and the operation of a high‑volume student services environment.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it’s like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU .

Position Information

• This is a full‑time (1.0 time‑base), benefits eligible, temporary position with an anticipated end date one year from the date of hire with the possibility of reappointment.
• Position is designated non‑exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego. OR This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 1 day per week, following a training period during which on‑site presence is required.

Department Summary

Enrollment Services is comprised of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions, Office of the Registrar, Office of Evaluations, Prospective Student Services, Out‑of‑State Recruitment and Strategic Partnerships, International Recruitment, Class Schedule, Communications, Financial Aid, Scholarships, and the Cal Coast Student Financial Center. Enrollment Services implements SDSU enrollment management policies and provides services to students from their initial point of interest in SDSU to their graduation.

The Cal Coast Student Financial Center (CCSFC’s) focus is to provide centralized, individual financial case management and counseling to students, parents and families. The CCSFC maximizes the efficiency and effectiveness of the Financial Aid Office, the Scholarship Office and the University Bursar’s Office by providing a scalable, “one stop” shop approach to providing assistance with issues related to financial aid, scholarships and student billing regardless of where the students and staff physically are located.

The CCSFC provides students and families with information related to the following areas:

• Financial Aid Resources- types of financial aid available
• Scholarship Resources- types of scholarships available
• SDSU Educational Costs- tuition, fee and housing costs
• Student Fee Waiver information and processes
• Financial Literacy Counseling in partnership with Cal Coast Credit Union

The staffing model is a blend of permanent represented staff and undergraduate peer counselors led by a Director (MPP I). The center provides customer service by serving as a single point of contact to analyze and resolve questions about financial aid, scholarships, financial transactions, academic progress and transactional‑based issues.

For more information regarding the Cal Coast Student Financial Center (CCSFC), click here .

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from a four‑year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job‑related field. Specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data; reason logically; draw valid conclusions; and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to participate in and contribute effectively to group meetings, conferences, and interviews, and clearly communicate ideas and recommendations orally.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and faculty.
• Demonstrates experience in delivering high‑quality customer service.
• Experience working effectively with diverse populations and fostering inclusive environments.
• Exhibits strong attention to detail and accuracy in all tasks.
• Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive financial situations with professionalism and empathy.
• Strong attention to detail in documentation processes.
• Experience in financial aid, student services, or a higher education setting is preferred.
• Familiarity with financial aid concepts such as FAFSA, scholarships, or student billing is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well‑being and professional growth.

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