Financial Aid System Analyst

California State University, Long Beach•Long Beach, CA

7d•$4,799 - $6,992

About The Position

The Financial Aid System Analyst works collaboratively with the Associate Director/Systems and Financial Aid Module Lead to improve the quality of financial aid services. The role configures, sets up, tests, analyzes, and implements technological solutions that support operations. It analyzes business processes and workflows to identify opportunities to improve processes and system functionality, ensures compliance with aid program regulations, researches and documents solutions, and supports daily, weekly, and annual maintenance of the delivered financial aid, Baseline, and CSULB Custom modules. The position is in Enrollment Services and is a 1.0 time-base appointment of 40 hours per week. It is a temporary appointment for one year, with no permanent status granted; the assignment may end earlier. The classification is Administrative Analyst/Specialist. The hiring range is $4,799–$5,623 per month, and the CSU classification salary range is $4,799–$6,992 per month. Salary placement depends on the candidate’s education, experience, and qualifications, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources. The role requires an equivalent of a bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of related experience. The ideal candidate has knowledge of financial aid needs-analysis methods, federal and state financial aid program guidelines, financial aid regulations and practices, and online student information systems. They can interpret complex financial aid and academic regulations, document workflows, assess needs, identify solutions, troubleshoot student-system problems, and preserve the quality, usability, and integrity of system data. The position also requires strong analytical, communication, interpersonal, organizational, planning, and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and short deadlines in a fast-paced, diverse team environment. Employees appointed at least half-time for more than six months and one day may be eligible for benefits, subject to appointment type, classification, and applicable collective bargaining agreement. Potential benefits include paid time off, health coverage, retirement plans, tuition fee waivers, an employee assistance program, wellness and professional development programs, and insurance options.

Requirements

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of related experience.
Knowledge of financial aid needs-analysis methodology and federal and state financial aid program guidelines.
Ability to use MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Visio, and MS Excel.
Excellent analytical, verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of financial aid regulations, practices, resources, and online student information systems.
Ability to interpret and analyze complex financial aid and academic regulations, policies, and procedures; document process workflows; assess needs; and identify solutions.
Ability to organize and plan multiple priorities, work without detailed instructions, analyze and evaluate situations and data, and make accurate recommendations to improve administrative systems, procedures, or practices.
Working knowledge of aid program delivery platforms, including National Student Loan Data System, Common Origination and Disbursement, CSAC Web Grants, FAA Access to CPS Online, and National Student Clearinghouse.
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve student-system-related problems.
Ability to ensure system data quality, usability, and integrity by following approved processes and testing procedures.
Ability to handle multiple tasks with short deadlines and work effectively in a dynamic team and fast-paced, diverse environment with students, faculty, and staff.
Commitment to treating students, faculty, and staff with dignity, respect, empathy, fairness, and professionalism and to following university policies and procedures.
Satisfactory completion of the required background check.
Upon hire, residence in the State of California.

Responsibilities

Assist in maintaining and enhancing financial aid module functionality, including production support, setup activities, coordination of security administration, quality assurance monitoring, and working reports.
Maintain and test regular system updates, including fixes and annual maintenance; troubleshoot issues and evaluate the effects of changes on office business processes.
Analyze new software systems and technologies and current or proposed business processes to improve performance and data quality and support operational efficiency.
Monitor the Financial Aid department’s automated and manual controls and transactions to ensure timely receipt and processing consistent with program requirements and compliance standards.
Develop online, user-friendly financial aid training modules to help end users understand functional business policies, processes, and procedures.
Research and document solutions and support daily, weekly, and annual system maintenance for the delivered financial aid, Baseline, and CSULB Custom modules.
Maintain detailed descriptions of responsibilities, from daily tasks to strategic activities and outcomes, and make them available to the supervisor.
Follow university policies, procedures, and guidelines, including those related to safety, civility, information security, and nondiscrimination.

Benefits

Up to 24 vacation days per year, depending on employee group and/or length of service.
14 paid holidays.
12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans.
Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan and voluntary savings options such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans.
Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
Confidential Employee Assistance Program counseling and support services for employees and their families.
Wellness programs.
Professional development opportunities.
Insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.