Financial Aid Counselor - Strategic Enrollment Management

Job Summary

This position is located at the Cal Poly Solano Campus in Vallejo, California. The role reports to the Director of Financial Aid and supports the university’s mission to retain and graduate students who need financial assistance by providing comprehensive financial aid and support services. Offerings include grants, loans, work‑study, and scholarships, with a proactive approach to meet and monitor students’ financial eligibility in compliance with federal and state regulations.

The Financial Aid Office administers federal, state, institutional, and private grants, scholarships, and work‑and‑loan programs totaling more than $150 million annually for over 13,000 eligible students. It ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and institutional policies while providing students with appropriate aid based on federal and state parameters in line with CSU and Cal Poly policies.

• Working knowledge of the practices, procedures, and activities of a Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, or the ability to acquire that knowledge quickly.
• Excellent time‑management and organizational skills with the ability to take initiative, set priorities, and work independently while utilizing resources and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, active listening, and emotional intelligence for communicating sensitive and confidential financial matters with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to collect, compile, analyze, and evaluate data and present findings verbally or in written form.

Equivalent to graduation from a four‑year college or university in the behavioral sciences, public or business administration, or a related field. Two years of professional experience in a student services program area or related field is required.

A master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one year of professional experience.

Additional specialized experience that demonstrates the required knowledge and abilities may substitute for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $60,996 – $66,612 per year.

Classification Range: $60,996 – $86,736 per year.

Salary is determined by experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure, certifications, and organizational needs.

Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees.

This position is open to all applicants regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. The university complies with Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, Proposition 209, and CSU’s nondiscrimination policy, prohibiting discrimination, segregation, and retaliation.

Successful completion of a background check, including a criminal records check, is required. Background checks are mandatory for all positions that require them by law or designation as sensitive. Failure to pass may affect continued employment for current CSU employees who receive conditional offers.

The holder of this position is a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with CSU Executive Order 1083.

Cal Poly is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions and cannot sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.