Scholarship Technician

CSU Careers•Long Beach, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Scholarship Technician performs a variety of complex and technical duties involved in providing the support needed to allow students to receive financial assistance. This includes the verification of eligibility for federal, state, and scholarship programs and the awarding of aid within these programs. The Technician also serves as a comprehensive point of contact in Financial Aid - providing accurate direction and guidance to students, their families and campus partners in all aspects of both general financial aid processes and scholarship specific processes, identifying those who need to meet with a financial aid counselor or administrator to resolve more complex issues. Furthermore, the incumbent provides services that are equitable, inclusive, and culturally sensitive to enhance the quality of campus life. This position uses a student-centered and equity-minded approach in all communication and service efforts.

Requirements

Equivalent to two years of responsible general clerical experience in a college or university financial aid office required.
Knowledge and experience with technology, including equipment (computers, scanners, etc.) and software applications (MS Office, student systems).
The ability and motivation to acquire and apply new knowledge and implement new software applications.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and to maintain confidentiality of student records.
In-depth knowledge and understanding of current financial aid needs analysis methodology and scholarship, federal, and state financial aid program guidelines.
Knowledge of scholarship and general financial aid regulations, practices, and resources.
Knowledge of online student information systems such as PeopleSoft and Blackbaud.
Ability to interpret, apply, and communicate scholarship and financial aid academic policies and procedures.
Strong understanding of federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures in order to accurately guide students through financial aid, scholarship, and loan processes.
Must participate in ongoing training to ensure they remain aware of changes and their affects on student awards at the University.
Must successfully utilize competent and increasingly complex computer system skills to meet their job requirements.
Treats all customers (students, parents, faculty and staff colleagues) with dignity and respect, empathy, fairness and professionalism, consistent with the university mission, values and strategic vision.
Ability to determine customer needs and resolve issues (or refer to counselor, etc. for resolution).
Demonstrated ability to conduct presentations to groups of varying sizes.
Experience representing a department/organization as knowledgeable and authoritative while remaining supportive, calm and professional even under highly charged circumstances.
Ability to handle information in a confidential and professional manner.
Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information and convey disappointing information.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide specialized processing and customer support specific to the CSULB Scholarship Program, assist with information dissemination and training of students, internal staff, and campus partners on various aspects of assigned program – under direction of the program lead.
Provide processing and technical assistance to support the administration of and scholarship programs and general financial aid programs, which includes monitoring and re-evaluating continued student eligibility, making and revising financial aid awards, processing reports, and other activities during various stages of the financial aid cycle within the Blackbaud/Beach Scholarships, PeopleSoft, and OnBase systems.
Provide advising and general customer service to prospective, newly admitted, and current students/parents, and campus partners regarding various aspects of scholarship specific year round processes as well as student eligibility, educational costs, types of financial aid available, aid coordination, and, the general financial aid process, while tailoring the information to the particular needs, situation, and level of background of each customer. This type of interaction may occur via phone conversations, in person or virtual meetings, and/or electronic exchanges.
Assist in determining and evaluating student financial aid eligibility by performing federal verification of individual student application data, reviewing and confirming general student eligibility criteria (i.e., citizenship, selective service, NSLDS, etc. database matches), and performing/calculating need analysis as well as knowledge sharing and collaborating on various topics with internal team members.
Contributes to a student-centered service culture and provides exceptional service and outreach to support the success of CSULB students.
Provides basic advising and serves as an comprehensive initial point of contact in Financial Aid.
Acts professionally when encountering upset students whose award package, or disbursement of funds, has been delayed or denied.
Deals effectively with the dejection that some students feel when confronted with limited resources to make their educational dreams come true as well as parents, students, campus stakeholders who may become adversarial in attempts to improve their treatment or expedite the processing of applications and/or forms.
Responds to difficult inquiries while remaining supportive, calm and professional even under highly charged circumstances.
Demonstrates excellent time management, attendance, and organizational skills with the ability to recognize and follow through on priorities in a timely manner.
Works effectively in a dynamic team and multi-tasks in a fast-paced, diverse environment with students, parents, faculty, and staff.
Maintains accurate and up-to-date databases and records.
Works under continuous pressure to meet various deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail and accuracy.
Works flexibly with diverse constituencies and possesses the ability to manage multiple competing priorities, while providing outstanding customer service to internal and external customers.
Ensures operational integrity and continuity by maintaining detailed descriptions of responsibilities, ranging from daily tasks to strategic activities and outcomes, and makes them available to supervisor.
Ensures quality, usability and integrity of system data by working the approved, outlined, and communicated.
Communicates with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community.
Follows all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures.
Contributes to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."

Benefits

Up to 24 vacation days per year (based 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
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 counseling and support services for employees and their families
Wellness programs
Professional development opportunities
Insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance