Financial Aid Assistant I

Contra Costa Community College District; Martinez (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Contra Costa Community College District is seeking a Financial Aid Assistant I to support state-funded grant programs for undocumented students, including CA Dream Act applications and Dreamers Service Incentive Grant. The role emphasizes processing applications, verifying eligibility, and maintaining accurate financial aid records while delivering high-quality student service.

The position is full-time, non-exempt, with a 40-hour work week and a daytime schedule at the district office.

Qualifications

• One year of clerical experience in an office environment.
• Experience handling financial aid information and student records is a plus.
• Understanding of basic recordkeeping and public-facing assistance.

Responsibilities

• Provide applications, information, and assistance to students regarding financial aid programs.
• Review financial aid applications for accuracy and maintain student files.
• Determine student eligibility and prepare aid packages.
• Maintain consumer information, forms, and office supplies.
• Attend trainings to stay current with laws and regulations.
• Assist in data analysis and reporting for district and state programs.
• Process correspondence and participate in outreach functions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Clerical duties

Public contact

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position will be responsible for state-funded grant programs for undocumented students including but not limited to the CA Dream Act Application and Dreamers Service Incentive Grant.

NOTE: New employees will be placed at the first step which is $52,392 per year, second step $55,056 per year or third step at $57,828 per year (depending upon experience). Based on current salary placement guidelines, all step increases for which an employee becomes eligible shall take place on July 1st of each fiscal year. These increases will occur, on annual basis, until the maximum step of $63,828 per year is reached on the salary schedule.

Position Title

Financial Aid Assistant I

Special Instructions to Applicants

This position will be responsible for state-funded grant programs for undocumented students including but not limited to the CA Dream Act Application and Dreamers Service Incentive Grant.

NOTE: New employees will be placed at the first step which is $52,392 per year, second step $55,056 per year or third step at $57,828 per year (depending upon experience). Based on current salary placement guidelines, all step increases for which an employee becomes eligible shall take place on July 1st of each fiscal year. These increases will occur, on annual basis, until the maximum step of $63,828 per year is reached on the salary schedule.

Our Vision for Social Justice

We are seeking people who recognize the critical role community colleges play in social justice, who have ability in this space, enthusiasm for this work, ideas and vision to improve our approaches, and a commitment to achieving equitable academic success for the 50,000+ students attending our five beautiful colleges and centers.

Our social justice work calls for employees who have a sense of social responsibility, interest in our community and world in which we live.

The intention of social justice work is to strengthen humanity by understanding that every person deserves the benefits of fully participating in our society and institutions.

Academic researchers have illustrated that crucial social justice principles are a compilation of equality, equity, diversity, inclusion, engagement, environmental sustainability and human rights. These complex principles are challenging to operationalize in higher education; yet we are steadfast in our diligence to forge ahead to advance this vital mission.

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to lead higher education in the work of social justice. Many of our students come from historically underserved and underrepresented backgrounds; students of color, students with recent immigrant histories, students from cycles of low income if not poverty, students from indigenous communities, and students from first-generation families.

The idea of promoting social mobility through education is unconditionally and uncompromisingly embraced by community colleges. This is an exciting role, and it comes with a heavy responsibility. Simply put, we need to create environments where our students achieve greater academic success, so much so that we close our persistent equity/opportunity gaps.

If you are committed to social and racial justice and if you are interested in joining a community dedicated to solving these inequities through education,

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type: Open (Internal and External applicants)

Location

Posting Number

Posting Number 0002338

# of Openings

# of Openings 1

Range

Range 49

Salary YEARLY

Salary YEARLY: $52,392, step 1 - $63,828, step 5 (see special instruction for step placement)

Position Status

Permanent

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt (eligible)

Position

Full-Time

If temporary, employment duration:

N/A

# of Hours Scheduled Per Week

40

Work Schedule By Day and Work Hours

Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Shift Differential %

N/A

# of Months

12

Non-work Periods:

N/A

EEO Job Category

Employee Group

Employee Group Classified

Department

Position Definition

To perform a variety of routine activities involving the dissemination of financial aid information to students; and to perform technical and clerical tasks in the maintenance and documentation of financial aid information.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Financial Aid Assistant I – Positions in this classification are focused on routine, process driven tasks and performs less complex clerical or program support assignments while learning financial aid policies and procedures. Positions at this level usually exercise less independent discretion and judgement than that of a Financial Aid Assistant II.

Financial Aid Assistant II – Positions in this classification are assigned to the day-to-day complex technical duties in addition to general clerical work related to the assignment. Employees in this position have experienced knowledge of financial aid programs and procedures to independently assist students, staff, and community members at the front counter, over the phone, and through written and electronic correspondence.

Financial Aid Specialist – Positions in this classification are responsible for performing more specialized and complex technical duties within the work unit. Employees in this position also provide training and direction to departmental staff on a regular basis.

Financial Aid Specialist, Lead – Positions in this classification will help train and coordinate financial aid personnel. Employees in this position serve as an assistant to the Financial Aid Manager and provides on-going technical and functional lead supervision to the office staff.

Examples of Duties/Essential Functions

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides applications, information, and assistance to students regarding available financial aid programs, such as grants, loans, scholarships, and work study opportunities.
• Reviews financial aid application forms for accuracy and completeness; secures additional information from students as necessary; processes applications using District, state, and federal database; prepares and maintains student files.
• Determines student eligibility for financial aid based upon student needs and program guidelines, policies and procedures; creates aid packages; notifies students of awards or denial of awards.
• Maintains state and federal financial aid consumer information, applications, and forms; maintains office supplies.
• Attends workshops and trainings to remain current with relevant laws, rules and regulations.
• Assists in the development and modification of forms and procedures to ensure compliance with changing District, state and federal regulations.
• Assists in compiling, analyzing, and maintaining data for record maintenance and preparation of various reports.
• Assists in processing Federal Work Study paperwork; complies statistical data; and processes changes in student allocations.
• Processes correspondence received by department via mail, email, and fax.
• Participates in outreach functions.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

One (1) year of experience performing clerical duties, including basic recordkeeping and significant public contact in an office environment.

EDUCATION / LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Possession of a high school diploma/ GED or the equivalent.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Must not have any unresolved financial issues with the U. S. Department of Education that would prohibit the ability to obtain National Student Loan Data System ( NSLDS ) access immediately

Knowledge of:

Recordkeeping rules and procedures.

Basic mathematics.

Modern office procedures, practices and technology/equipment.

Modern software applications (Microsoft Office Suite, etc.)

Minimum Qualification-Skill To

N/A

Minimum Qualification-Ability To

• Provide accurate information to students and other financial aid personnel.
• Learn relevant laws, rules and regulations through ongoing training attendance.
• Learn, understand and apply relevant District, state and federal regulations, procedures and policies related to available loans and grants for students.
• Perform assigned tasks in a high-volume environment, often under time pressure.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Handle sensitive or confidential materials and situations.
• Learn complex financial aid applications and relevant software.
• Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Identify pertinent financial information and learn to understand how various financial aid programs operate.
• Perform a variety of clerical and recordkeeping tasks with accuracy using appropriate technology.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
• Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, and religious background of all students, faculty and staff, and with all individuals encountered in the performance of required duties.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience working with diverse populations in a social or educational support services office.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.)
• Demonstrated interest in working with undocumented students and students from mixed status families

Job Open Date:

Job Open Date: 09/04/2026

Job Close Date