Financial Aid Counselor II

Overview

In this role you drive need analysis to determine student financial aid packaging for both undergraduate and graduate students. You will guide a team within the Need Analysis unit, ensuring accurate reviews, compliance with federal/state rules, and timely responses to cases in Salesforce. You shape policies, test SIS changes, and support professional judgement decisions to assist students and families. This position sits at the intersection of policy, operations, and student service, offering impact at scale. You join USC's values-driven environment to help students access financial aid decisions that reflect individual circumstances.

Responsibilities

• Maintain policies and procedures for need analysis, verification, and professional judgement
• Oversee training and evaluation of staff
• Identify changes to the Student Information System (SIS) based on federal/state requirements
• Develop testing procedures and scenarios for system changes
• Respond to Salesforce cases and advise staff on complex files
• Coordinate and perform need analysis to determine packaging options
• Review applications for consistency, verify information, and certify eligibility
• Make ISIR corrections as needed
• Maintain thorough file documentation
• Ensure quality control on the review of ~20,000 applications
• Develop and maintain guidelines for professional judgement adjustments initiated by student appeals

Key requirements

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid processes and regulations
• Critical thinking and problem-solving in complex verification issues
• Professional demeanor and effective written and verbal communication
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects with accuracy and attention to detail
• strong communication
• problem-solving
• attention to detail
• Knowledge of Student Information System (SIS)
• Experience with ISIR corrections
• Salesforce proficiency