Financial Aid Advisor 19hr

Merced College; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

Merced College invites applications for a Financial Aid Support role in Student Services. You will advise students on aid eligibility, walk through the application process, and help with budgeting and satisfactory progress.

The ideal candidate is friendly, a team player, and superb at communication, with the ability to adapt to changing rules and priorities in a dynamic college setting. Merced College fosters equity and student success.

Qualifications

• Customer service mindset in a student-facing role.
• Ability to advise students regarding aid eligibility and processes.
• Comfort with budgets and maintaining progress requirements.
• Sensitivity to diverse backgrounds of community college students.

Responsibilities

• Advise students on all aspects of financial aid, including grants, loans, scholarships, employment, and emergencies.
• Determine student awards and refer to other support services.
• Verify prior financial aid information for incoming students.
• Validate basic grants for government-required reviews.
• Perform data entry for needs analysis and program eligibility.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Team player

Adaptable

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's degree

Equivalent education and experience

Diversity sensitivity

Tools

Student Information System

Enterprise Resource Planning

Job description

Merced College is looking for a dynamic, high-energy candidate. This position provides support to students in the Financial Aid Department in Student Services. We are looking for someone who is friendly; is a team-player; has excellent customer service and great communication skills; and can adapt to changing rules, regulations and priorities. If you enjoy helping others and making a difference, we encourage you to apply. This is an exciting time to be part of the community college system and an opportunity to join a team committed to engaging students in the college's Student Success Program.

As you consider this opportunity, know that Merced College is more than a community college — we are a catalyst for transformation, redefining higher education and setting new standards for excellence. Serving nearly 20,000 students each year, we are proud to be a leading center of learning and opportunity in California’s Central Valley.

Founded in 1962, Merced College blends a strong tradition of academic excellence with forward-thinking innovation to create an inclusive and engaging environment for students and employees alike. Committed to the well-being, growth, and professional success of our team, we foster collaboration and a supportive culture where every employee is empowered to make a difference. Located in the heart of California’s Central Valley, the City of Merced offers a welcoming community of more than 90,000 residents, with easy access to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Yosemite National Park.

If you are passionate about innovation, equity, and student success, we invite you to join the Merced College team.

Merced College Mission

At Merced College, students are our focus, and we are known by their success. We transform lives through education and workforce development.

Merced College Vision

Enriching our community through educational experiences and support services:

• Degree/Certificate Programs
• Transfer
• Career Technical Education
• Workforce Training
• Lifelong Learning
• Basic Skills
• Community Engagement

Merced College promotes student success through equitable access, continuous quality improvement, and institutional effectiveness, all with a focus on student achievement.
Salary Schedule:
Range 20
19 hours/week
12 months/year

This is a categorically funded assignment contingent upon year-to-year funding

General Description

Under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid, advises students regarding eligibility for aid, the application process, and requirements of the aid programs. Advises students in budgeting and their responsibilities for maintaining satisfactory progress.

Essential Functions

• Interviews and counsels students on all aspects of financial aid, including grants, loans, scholarships, employment, book vouchers, and emergencies
• Determines student awards and refers to other support services
• Verifies prior financial aid information on in-coming students
• Validates basic grants on students selected by federal government requiring review
• Performs computer data entry functions for needs analysis, packaging and program eligibility requirements

Knowledge of

• Financial aid programs and regulations
• Basic data processing as related to needs analysis
• Basic computer data entry programs such as Windows, Word, Excel, and Access

Ability to

• Exercise sound judgment in advising students relative to budgets and financial matters
• Prepare written materials explaining aid programs
• Communicate both orally and in writing
• Relate to students of all ages and backgrounds
• Promote and incorporate culturally affirming DEIA and anti-racist principles to nurture and create a respectful, inclusive, and equitable learning and work environment. In conducting their duties, staff members shall respect and acknowledge the diversity of students and colleagues

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education/Training/Experience

• High school diploma OR GED AND three (3) years applicable experience OR
• An associate's degree OR
• The equivalent education and experience
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training/Experience

• Experience with Student Information System/Enterprise Resource Planning

Physical Demand and Working Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment

Work is performed primarily in an office environment; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.

Physical Ability to

• Work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations
• Hear and understand speech at normal levels
• Communicate so others will be able to clearly understand normal conversation
• Read printed matter and computer screens
• Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
• Bend and twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, push, pull
• Lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate to heavy amounts of weight
• Operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard
• Reach in all directions

Vision

See in the normal visual range with or without correction

Hearing

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction

Interview Information

Applicants deemed highly qualified for the position will be invited to participate in onsite oral interviews conducted by a screening committee. A limited number of candidates will be selected to move forward to the interview stage.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for October 6, 2026 with final interviews scheduled for October 8, 2026.

Condition of Employment

The selected candidate must be fingerprinted and tested for tuberculosis at his/her own expense prior to the start of employment. In compliance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, all new employees are required to verify their identity and the right to work in the United States. All offers of employment are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. The applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Individuals with disabilities may request any needed accommodation to participate in the application process. Please submit your request with your application to the Human Resources Office.

Merced Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer