Financial Aid Specialist

Campus • Sacramento, CA

5d • $53,000 - $64,000

About The Position

As a Financial Aid Specialist, you’ll manage a large caseload of students and serve as a key touchpoint in their enrollment journey. This is a high-impact, student-facing role responsible for helping students understand and complete the financial aid process. You’ll use empathetic guidance to help them complete complex paperwork, explain funding options, and deliver difficult information with warmth and clarity. You’ll balance detailed, policy-driven work with deeply human conversations, and you’ll do it all in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that’ll require you to be flexible, adaptable, and proactive
This is a great role for someone who’s part analyst, part communicator and is eager to contribute to a high-growth startup and team.

Requirements

• Strong communication, relationship-building, and documentation skills
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and adapt to new systems quickly
• Comfortable having tough conversations with empathy and professionalism
• Positivity and a growth mindset
• Bachelor's degree
• Are a clear, confident communicator, especially over the phone
• Build rapport and relationships quickly, even in brief or virtual interactions, so that students see you as a trusted guide
• Know how to break down complex topics into simple, empowering language while also explaining the why behind specific asks
• Are comfortable navigating emotionally sensitive conversations (e.g. aid denials, family instability, housing concerns) with clarity, care, and professionalism
• Are resourceful and proactive. You ask smart questions, seek out answers, and take initiative without waiting to be told
• Can manage your time and workflow independently, using calendars, trackers, and tools to stay organized and effective
• Care deeply about helping students succeed and are motivated by meaningful outcomes
• Value teamwork and contribute actively to shared goals, knowledge building, and team learning
• Thrive in fast-paced, evolving environments and can adapt quickly to shifting priorities or processes

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with financial aid systems (e.g., FAFSA, ISIR review, Title IV policies)
• Experience in a student-facing, customer support, or process-heavy role
• Comfort using CRM tools, communication platforms, and trackers
• Background in fast-paced or startup environments

Responsibilities

• Guide students through the full financial aid process, including FAFSA completion, verification, packaging, and disbursement steps
• Calculate aid packages, generate offer letters using financial systems, and explain them clearly to students
• Navigate emotionally complex conversations such as aid barriers and denials, Pell eligibility, and payment plans while maintaining student trust and empathy
• Stay organized across systems, trackers, and notes while managing 200–500+ students, and prioritizing persistent outreach and responsiveness through phone, text, and email.
• Collaborate closely with Admissions Counselors (ACs), Onboarding Specialists (OSes), and Success Coaches (SCs) to create a smooth, unified student experience across departments
• Stay current on changing policies and procedures, adapting workflows quickly and contributing to teamwide knowledge

Benefits

• A compensation package that includes a base salary of $53,000 - 64,000 + equity grant
• Actual compensation within the pay range will be decided based on factors including, but not limited to, skills, prior relevant experience, and specific work location. For roles that are available to be filled remotely, base salary will be localized.
• Medical Insurance + free Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) match
• Fertility benefits via Carrot
• Flexible Time Away + paid holidays
• Opportunity to make an impact – you’ll be an integral player in bringing our vision to life

What This Job Offers

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