Student Financial Services Specialist

The California State University; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University, Dominguez Hills is seeking a refund and student account support specialist. The role handles refunds, returns, and waivers, and provides direct service to students via in person, phone, and email communications.

The position requires handling complex account activity, reconciling payments, and using PeopleSoft, Excel, and Illumia systems. Final salary depends on qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• Three years of progressively responsible financial record-keeping experience.
• Education: Any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of GAAP and general office procedures.
• Ability to communicate university policies and procedures to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and complete the daily refund batch process for Financial Aid and non-Financial Aid student refunds.
• Process student refund requests for eMarket transactions through Illumia.
• Process Student Short-Term Loan refunds.
• Provide frontline customer service to students in person, by phone, and via email regarding billing, student accounts, payments, and refund inquiries.
• Analyze and explain student account activity to ensure students understand balances and transactions.
• Research and reconcile student accounts to resolve discrepancies and ensure accurate activity.
• Run PeopleSoft queries to identify unapplied credit balances and take action.
• Process batch credit and debit card refunds through Illumia.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial record-keeping

Policy communication

Education

Any equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

Division: Administration and Finance

Classification Salary Range: $4,037 - $5,881 per month

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $4,037 - $5,831 per month.

The final salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of Student Financial Services and Treasury, this position provides support to Student Financial Services. The primary function of this position includes processing refunds, identifying returned ACH and check items, undelivered and stale-dated student checks, assisting students with interpreting their accounts in person, via email, or by phone, and reconciling and verifying student payments. The position is also responsible for processing and posting all fee waivers to student accounts.

Key Responsibilities

• Initiate and complete the daily refund batch process for Financial Aid and non-Financial Aid student refunds.
• Process student refund requests for eMarket transactions through Illumia.
• Process Student Short-Term Loan refunds.
• Provide frontline customer service to students in person, by phone, and via email regarding billing, student accounts, payments, and refund inquiries.
• Analyze and explain student account activity using PeopleSoft, queries, Excel, and other available resources to ensure students understand their account balances and transactions.
• Research and reconcile student accounts to resolve discrepancies and ensure accurate account activity.
• Run PeopleSoft queries to identify unapplied credit balances on student accounts and take appropriate action.
• Process batch credit and debit card refunds through Illumia.

Minimum Qualifications

• Equivalent to three years of progressively responsible financial record-keeping experience which has provided the above knowledge and abilities.
• Education: Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of financial record-keeping, mathematical and general office methods, procedures, and practices; and basic knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Must be able to communicate university, government or funding agency policies and procedures relative to the assigned area of responsibility, including those that require extensive interpretation.

Preferred Qualifications

• CSU or Higher Ed experience

General Information

• Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance and State Law.
• In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.
• California State University Dominguez Hills is not currently sponsoring staff or management positions for H-1B employment visas.
• The CSU system offers a competitive total compensation benefits package for employees and qualifying dependents, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and tuition assistance. It is our goal to compensate employees equitably and fairly. You can access a full description of our benefits here .

Closing Statement

California State University, Dominguez Hills, is strongly committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce. Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may call the Human Resources Office at [phone].

California State University Dominguez Hills is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.

Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.

Advertised: Aug 26 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Sep 09 2026 Pacific Daylight Time