Financial Aid Counselor

The Division of Enrollment Management represents the Offices of Enrollment Management, Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships and the University Registrar. These key functional offices support the campus goals to recruit, retain and provide a first-in-class education to the most talented students, regardless of background.

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is a key contributor to student success and student access in higher education, administering all types of financial assistance for eligible students demonstrating financial need, academic merit, and/or other merit factor(s). This includes, but is not limited to scholarships, grants, loans, and/or work‑study awards.

Working independently under general supervision, the Financial Aid Counselor applies a broad understanding of student aid program practices and policies to determine appropriate allocation of aid awards, authorize exceptions. Provides individual counselling on non‑routine, sensitive aid issues in an accurate, timely, professional, and courteous manner, including explaining and interpreting government and university rules and regulations concerning all areas of student financial assistance to students, parents, university colleagues and the general public.

Analyzes regulation and participates in the development of the UCI Financial Aid Office policy and procedure for administering Financial Aid from federal, state, university, and outside sources.

First Essential Function

Percent of Time: 35%

Conducts financial aid award needs analysis for undergraduate, graduate and professional degree students (financial data, family circumstances, social background, academic status, educational goals) and applies knowledge of federal, state, University, and outside agency laws, regulations, and policies to determine students' eligibility for various types of financial aid. Identifies available resources and unmet needs to determine appropriate allocation of federal, state and/or institutional aid as well as campus scholarship awards for individual students.

Second

Essential Function

Percent of Time: 35%

Provides individual in‑person or virtual counselling on non‑routine, sensitive aid issues. Exercises professional judgment to authorize changes in financial aid award based on updates, corrections or special circumstances. Provides referrals to other UCI departments (e.g., UCI Basic Needs Hub) or off‑campus agencies (e.g., Social Services) when necessary.

Third Essential Function

Percent of Time: 10%

Coordinates with other UC departments to implement and evaluate student‑focused activities, programs, and services (e.g. education abroad programmes). Advises UCI departments and employees on existing financial aid procedures, resources, and options available. Recommends changes in financial aid policy or procedures to benefit specific student groups (e.g. students with disabilities).

Fourth Essential Function

Percent of Time: 10%

Reconciles large volumes of student data from multiple sources (e.g. campus financial aid systems, Financial Services: Student Billing System, California Student Aid Commission web system). Identifies and resolves mismatches and errors. Identifies and implements database elements, queries, and reports needed to monitor aid programmes. Analyzes reports to resolve problems. Analyses financial aid system exception reports of students whose aid packages could not be handled by automated programming and determines/executes action needed to resolve issues and complete aid allocations for these students.

Fifth

Essential Function

Percent of Time: 5%

Coordinates, implements, evaluates, and reports on UC, campus, government, and/or agency programmes. Maintains working knowledge of and interprets regulations and develops or recommends procedures to ensure compliance and accurate aid delivery.

Sixth Essential Function

Percent of Time: 5%

Additional duties as assigned to support the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Required

• Working knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices for awarding financial aid; specialised knowledge of particular programmes.
• Working knowledge of University policies, processes, and…