Job Description Summary

This position will primarily be assigned to the San Luis Obispo campus with occasional support needed at the North County Campus in Paso Robles. Evening, weekend and holiday work is expected during busy seasons.

The selected applicant will be assigned the following schedule:

• Monday, Thursday and Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 9:00am - 6:00pm

 

DEFINITION

Under direction of assigned administrator, disseminate information to the community and to students regarding federal and state financial aid programs; receive and process applications for financial aid eligibility and assist students and staff with all matters related to their eligibility and application; and to perform other related duties as required. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Financial Aid Support Specialist class is distinguished from other classes in the Financial Aid position series in that the incumbent possess knowledge of federal and state regulations and eligibility guidelines concerning financial aid programs.

Incumbents in this position support Guided Pathways framework, student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness by ensuring state and federal compliance are met and encouraging student success through the Financial Aid process.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work
Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande. 

Who We Are
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

 Additional information about the college can be found at
 https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
 The college planning documents can be found at
 https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
 Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at
 https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
 We offer comprehensive benefit options.  Information about benefits can be found at
 https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/benefits-insurance/index.html

 

Essential Functions & Qualifications

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serve as a resource to students, parents and staff; responds to questions and provides expertise and assistance at the front counter, in-person or virtual, email and workshops regarding financial aid eligibility requirements;
• Perform eligibility determinations and verification for any federal, state, or local aid programs;
• Advise and assists prospective, continuing and returning students and parents on the availability of various financial aid programs, and with the application process;
• Participate in community outreach activities and on-campus in-reach events to promote financial aid and enrollment services as directed. Conduct presentations and workshops to promote financial aid availability and encourage students to apply;
• Advise students on an individual basis regarding eligibility requirements, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and resolution of unique student circumstances;
• Disseminate federal and state financial aid program information, such as; Cuesta College Promise, Community College Promise Grant (CCPG), Cal Grant, Federal Work-Study (FWS), , Direct Loans, Pell Grant, Emergency Aid, and Scholarships;
• Maintain current knowledge of all laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures related to financial aid programs and analyze policies and procedures to ensure compliance;
• Perform clerical work related to determining eligibility and awarding financial aid;
• Identify and research potential problems and make recommendations for action;
• Collect and analyze data; 
• Correspond with Cuesta College staff, students, parents, and various l other agencies, including the California Student Aid Commission, the U.S. Department of Education, and the county Department of Social Services to resolve conflicts of information and any other concerns related to financial aid;
• Facilitate program coordination with other key campus offices including the Business Office, Admissions and Registration, Bookstore, and EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs;
• Perform other related duties as required.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

Experience:

Required

Preferred

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state financial aid programs including grants, loans and scholarships;
• Office practices and equipment;
• English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary;
• Computer programs used in the administration of financial aid programs.

 

Ability to:

• Identify needs, and make logical recommendations;
• Communicate and work effectively with students and parents;
• Operate office equipment, including but not limited to:), computer keyboard, copying machine;
• Use English correctly both orally and in writing;
• Plan, organize, and prioritize duties and related tasks;
• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships;

 

Physical ability to:

• Read and comprehend printed matter and text and data on computer monitors;
• Communicate intelligibly and effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email;
• Lift and/or carry 25 pounds;
• Work or stand at a counter for extended periods of time;
• Work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations.

 

License and Certificates:

Required

 

 

Additional Information

 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
 Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred. 

1. Resume;
2. Reference List (see further instructions below);
3. Diversity statement (see further instructions below). 

 

Diversity Statement Instructions:  Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation and abilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community.

 In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position. 

 

Reference List Instructions:   Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

 

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position.  LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

 

SALARY SCHEDULE

Below is the full salary schedule range for this position, steps A through E. Per Cuesta College’s bargaining agreement, new employees are placed at Steps A through C, which is the anticipated hiring range also listed below. The bargaining agreement also includes step and longevity increases. For a full salary schedule, please see our website: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/salary_schedules.html

• Salary Schedule Range: $4,250 - $5,166 per month.
• Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,250 - $4,686 per month.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

 

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses.  Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.  Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

 

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety.  This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years.   You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices:  on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours.  You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/publicsafety/clery_act

 

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

 

Interview Process Information

 

Selected applicants will be invited to attend a Zoom interview on Thursday, December 19, 2024.