Program Officer I - Financial Aid

College of Southern Nevada • Charleston, SC

3d

About The Position

The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) is seeking a detail-oriented and student-focused Program Officer 1 to support the administration of institutional and external scholarship programs, as well as participate in outreach initiatives across all locations as needed, and provide excellent customer service and accurate financial aid information to students and families. This position plays a crucial role in the Office of Financial Aid by ensuring the timely, accurate, and compliant processing of scholarship funding, thereby supporting student success and retention through effective communication, collaboration, and active engagement within the campus community. Under direct supervision, responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business or public administration, or other discipline related to the program assignment; OR graduation from high school or equivalent education and two years of para-professional program support experience equivalent to an Administrative Assistant III in Nevada State service which required the application of State and/or federal laws, policy and procedures; reviewing documents prepared by others for program compliance determinations; or preparing reports which summarize financial and statistical information; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Experience working with PeopleSoft or a similar student information system.
• Bilingual skills (especially Spanish) are highly desirable.
• Experience working in higher education, particularly at a community college.
• Familiarity with scholarship processing and reconciliation.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in financial aid, student services, or related administrative role.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and managing data and queries.
• Strong communication, time management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with attention to detail and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Review scholarship applications, checks, and supporting documents to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Evaluate student eligibility based on established donor or CSN guidelines and enter data into the appropriate systems.
• Ensure all documents are properly scanned, recorded, and stored following record-keeping protocols.
• Process awards in a timely and compliant manner to support financial aid disbursement dates and retention efforts.
• Serve as a resource for students and families by providing clear, supportive guidance on scholarship and financial aid processes.
• Participate in outreach events at all CSN locations, delivering financial aid and general college information to prospective and current students and their families.
• Communicate with students, parents, faculty, and staff by phone or email to request additional documents or clarify information as needed.
• Document efforts in the student’s record via PeopleSoft.
• Protect all personal and financial information in compliance with FERPA and institutional data security protocols.
• Participate in training and staff meetings to remain current on policies, tools, and best practices.
• Contribute and update as needed the Scholarship Policies and Procedures and Scholarship Calendar.
• Collaborate closely with other relevant departments as necessary.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The College of Southern Nevada offers a generous benefit package, including an excellent 19.25% PERS retirement plan (a defined benefit plan), vacation & sick leave benefits, 12 paid holidays, educational benefits, and health insurance plans that can be added with flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.
• Supplemental options (long term care, short term disability, and legal).
• Tuition discounts at the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institutions.
• As well as tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents.
• Perks encompassing on campus employee discounts, professional and personal development opportunities; and statewide employee purchase programs.
• Join a dynamic team investing in our future, Students First.

What This Job Offers

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