Financial Aid Technician

Rancho Santiago Community College District; Santa Ana (CA); Sur place; USD 42 000 - 52 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Rancho Santiago Community College District in Santa Ana, CA seeks a detail-oriented Financial Aid Assistant to support the application process, verify eligibility, and review files for accuracy. The role involves assisting diverse student populations and communicating requirements clearly.

The ideal candidate will understand financial aid policies, maintain confidentiality, and collaborate with the Financial Aid team to ensure timely awards and compliance with state and federal regulations.

Qualifications

• Two years of college or equivalent experience in financial aid or student services.
• Familiarity with financial aid policies and procedures is preferred.
• Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

Responsabilités

• Assist students with the general financial aid application process.
• Review files for completeness, accuracy and compliance with regulations.
• Advise applicants on eligibility, requirements, and deadlines.
• Prepare and distribute correspondence to students with incomplete documents.

Connaissances

Interviewing techniques

Student support services

Record keeping

Data gathering

Modern office practices

Financial aid programs

Description du poste

About Rancho Santiago Community College District

Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is one of the most established districts in the state and has been in operation for nearly 50 years. Located in the heart of Orange County, it is one of the largest of California's 72 community college districts, based on the number of credit and non-credit students. RSCCD encompasses 25 percent of Orange County's total area and serves a population of more than 700,000 residents in the communities of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Tustin, and Yorba Linda. The district includes Santiago Canyon College and Santa Ana College, as well as the Centennial and Orange Continuing Education Centers, the Digital Media Center, the Joint Powers Fire Training Center, the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy, the College and Workforce Preparation Center, and the District Operations Center. RSCCD's three (3) auxiliary Foundations are actively involved in supporting both community and campus programs.

RSCCD’s student population is a direct reflection of the diverse communities in the surrounding neighborhoods. As a whole, the district has the honor of serving approximately 55,537 students: 51% Hispanic/Latinx, 20% White, 9% Asian & Filipino, and 2% are African American. RSCCD is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and serves predominately historically underrepresented students. There is a commitment to foster student centered values among our employees to provide equitable student learning, academic excellence, and workforce development. By delivering high-quality educational programs and student support services, the district ensures that students have the appropriate resources to achieve their goals.

At RSCCD, our mission is to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice into all aspects of student academics and employee relations. Thus, creating transformational experiences that prepares students and employees to engage in the world with a renewed sense-of-self. Through this commitment, Rancho Santiago Community College District strives to cultivate a learning environment that prioritizes respect, to ensure that RSCCD stakeholders feel valued and supported throughout their academic and professional careers.

About the Position

The ideal candidate will demonstrate cultural competency in serving diverse community college populations, including faculty, management, and students from varied ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This includes those with differing abilities, AB 540 students, DACA recipients, Foreign Residents, VACA participants, and Continuing Education students. They will support RSCCD’s mission to promote self-awareness, knowledge, and communication skills, enabling all members of the college community to participate creatively and confidently in an ever-changing world.

Candidates will contribute to an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture that supports the diverse needs of faculty, management, staff, and students. They will effectively provide services and support to individuals with differing academic preparation levels and unique learning or workplace needs, ensuring equitable access and opportunities for success. Candidates should demonstrate cultural competency, sensitivity, equity-mindedness, and a commitment to anti-racism in all interactions and contributions. Through their role, they will empower students to achieve their educational and career goals while promoting a positive and inclusive environment where faculty and management can thrive, fostering creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning throughout the college community.

Class Summary

Under general supervision – assists students with general application process; provide information on eligibility, review files for completeness, accuracy, and consistency; advises applicants of availability and requirements for various financial aid programs; performs related clerical work and duties as required.

Representative Duties

Assists students in the application process; provides information to students and parents concerning financial aid and eligibility; analyze and evaluate academic transcript for compliance and satisfactory academic progress; Review student's files for accuracy, completeness and consistency; initiate, prepare and distribute correspondence to students with incomplete documents or forms; verifies student eligibility for payment; assist with validation, packaging and awarding grant, scholarships, and loan/work study programs; assists in compiling for Federal, State and other reports; assists in Financial Aid Workshops; keeps abreast of state and federal regulations; conducts entrance interviews for National Direct Student Loan.

Organizational Relationships

This class reports to the designated manager/administrator.

Training and Experience

Any combination of training and experience equivalent to two years of college; or two years experience in financial aid or student services; or one year of college and one year of work experience in a financial aid office or student services.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: interviewing techniques; student support services; record keeping; data gathering; modern office practices and procedures; financial aid programs strongly preferred.

Ability to: deal with sensitive and confidential information; understand and communicate with a diverse population of students; provide assistance to students through timely completion of their financial aid documents; understand and apply changing policies, procedures and guidelines; communicate orally and in writing; understand directions and work independently; comprehend and apply technical written material.

Additional Qualifications

Candidate must demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff, and the community.

A Complete Application Packet Must Include the Following:

1. RSCCD Online Application
2. Resume – details all relevant education, training, and other work experience
3. Academic Transcripts (Unofficial copies of undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate transcripts).

Foreign Degrees

Transcripts from countries other than the United States must be evaluated by an agency that is approved by or a member of the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE), or Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Application Screening

Job announcements will include screening criteria to be used during screening and interviews. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Education experience (breadth and depth)
• Work experience (breadth and depth)
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others
• Bilingual ability (if needed)
• Demonstrated experience and sensitivity to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Professional growth activities
• Specialized skills training
• Leadership skills
• Written and/or oral communication skills
• Presentation
• Problem Solving.

Interview

Applicants selected for an interview may be required to take additional tests or assessments and will be notified of such prior to the date of the interview. During the oral session, those selected for interviews will, in addition to the above, also be evaluated on the following factors:

• Oral communication skills
• Presentation
• Problem-solving skills

A predetermined set of questions will be asked of all applicants interviewed. Applicants are requested to provide thorough yet concise information on their related experience to ensure the correct evaluation of their qualifications. Evaluation criteria will be applied consistently to all applicants.

Disability Accommodations

Individuals who require reasonable accommodations in the Application or Interviewing Process in accordance with ADA should notify the Recruitment Office in the Human Resources Division at least two days prior to the closing date, by calling [phone].

Conditions of Employment

1. Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
2. Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis Exam.
3. Fingerprints (by a Live Scan Agency at the candidate's expense, and clearance must be received before the first day of employment)

The Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is an equal opportunity employer. The policy of the District is to encourage applications from persons who are economically disadvantaged and individuals belonging to significantly underrepresented groups within the District’s workforce, including ethnic and racial minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or political or organizational affiliation.

RSCCD will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional employment offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if RSCCD is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.