Financial Aid Program Manager

Sierra Community College • Rocklin, CA

1d

About The Position

Sierra College seeks a Financial Aid Program Manager to provide leadership and operational support for the District’s Financial Aid Department and its collaboration with other units. Under the administrative direction of the Director of Enrollment Services, Student Financial Aid, or an assigned administrator, the manager supports financial aid services intended to increase student enrollment, retention, persistence, and completion. The role serves as part of the District management team and helps ensure programs and services provide an inclusive, accessible environment and equitable outcomes for students and employees.

The manager assists the Financial Aid Director with office operations, customer service, staff supervision and training, and administration of federal and state financial aid programs. Responsibilities include compliance, funds management, research and reporting, systems oversight, student communications, and collaboration with campus units and student-support programs. The position also serves as a liaison to equity-related support networks and Interest Area case-management teams, helping students maximize financial aid throughout their educational journey.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, or a related field, and five years of increasingly responsible supervisory and program-support experience in a financial aid office. Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting. The District’s assignment location may change based on District needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, accounting, or a related field.
• Five years of increasingly responsible supervisory and program-support experience in a financial aid office.
• Ability to obtain specialized certifications as required.
• In-depth knowledge of federal and state student financial aid processes, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Knowledge of Guided Pathways, equity frameworks and practices in higher education, and the role of community colleges in supporting marginalized populations.
• Knowledge of higher education equity-based retention and success trends, including related issues, strategies, regulations, and compliance.
• Knowledge of human relations methods for conducting interviews, conveying technical information, resolving conflicts, and facilitating problem resolution.
• Knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping, ledger recordkeeping, tax returns, needs analysis, and mathematical principles and practices.
• Knowledge of methods for supporting students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of office procedures, records management, office equipment, computers, and word-processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Knowledge of financial aid management systems and specialized off-campus software applications.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including student employment labor laws and DHS employment requirements and documentation.
• Knowledge of management, leadership, change management, personnel supervision, staff evaluation, employment and collective bargaining processes, data collection, report writing, and safety practices.
• Ability to provide specialized support for financial aid programs and serve as a technical expert in assigned processing areas.
• Ability to apply an equity-minded framework and design and deliver services to meet the varying needs of eligible students.
• Ability to coordinate Basic Needs Program operations and implement procedures for assigned program areas as needed.
• Ability to make arithmetic calculations, deliver oral presentations, operate office equipment and applications, and adapt to changing technology.
• Ability to maintain attention to detail; handle sensitive and confidential information; and plan, organize, and prioritize work to meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain accurate and confidential financial records and files; conduct technical research; and prepare comprehensive and statistical reports and routine correspondence.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, supervise student or temporary staff, communicate clearly, and establish effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Review, update, and maintain financial aid policies and procedures in compliance with federal and state regulations; maintain relevant website information, including required consumer information disclosures.
• Collaborate with student services and other departments to provide accessible financial aid information, education, and customer service to students, families, and colleagues.
• Promote proactive, equitable access to financial aid services and communicate Financial Aid data, efforts, and processes to student services areas.
• Support caseload management and collaborate with Guided Pathways, Interest Areas, Sierra Supports, Basic Needs, special programs, and services for justice- and immigration-impacted students and other student populations.
• Attend and present at events and programs, including evening and weekend events as needed, and conduct financial aid workshops and presentations.
• Manage assigned financial aid functions or special projects, such as state and federal grant programs, campus liaisons, or elements of student employment.
• Provide operational oversight for financial aid systems; develop and recommend policies and processes, manage aid funds, evaluate programs, and adapt systems to improve efficiency.
• Review and recommend improvements to financial aid communications and processes to support equity, student success, and aid utilization.
• Serve as a financial aid liaison to equity-related support networks, Interest Area case-management teams, Outreach, the Success Center, the Sierra College Foundation, and other assigned areas.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulations and revise the College’s financial aid policy and procedure manual to support compliance and prevent institutional liability.
• Ensure efficient processing and maximum utilization of aid funds; provide related data, reports, and communications.
• Provide administrative oversight and leadership for Financial Aid services across the District’s main campus and centers in collaboration with the Director.
• Assist with development and execution of financial aid policies, processes, and operations for Placer One.
• Contribute to an inclusive, equity-focused work environment and participate in developing and reviewing District goals, policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure timelines are met for District, state, and federal requirements and coordinate assigned work in support of District enrollment and strategic goals.
• Coordinate funds management and reconciliation, including calculating funding needs, monitoring accounts, coordinating audits, completing payment documents, verifying grant and loan accounts, monitoring repayments, and reconciling assigned accounts.
• Research, interpret, analyze, and report financial aid data; prepare records, reports, surveys, reconciled data files, and information for other agencies and institutions.
• Participate in financial aid software and reporting tool development; maintain processing rules, update data elements for regulatory changes, troubleshoot software and database issues, and design reports.
• Perform customer service and outreach duties, explain programs and application processes, assist students with applications, and coordinate award activities with internal and external contacts.
• Perform clerical and administrative work supporting program operations, correspondence, reports, forms, brochures, presentations, handbooks, manuals, consumer information, phones, and office supplies.
• Maintain knowledge of new and revised laws, regulations, and technical guidance; attend training and help train others on regulatory changes and procedures.
• Train and provide work direction to assigned staff, student workers, and temporary help.
• Perform related duties as required.

Benefits

• Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS)
• 18 paid holidays, including extended time off during the winter break
• 22 accrued paid vacation days per year
• Competitive benefits package
• Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (in most cases)
• Professional development opportunities, including equity- and inclusion-related programs, events, and conferences

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager