Special Programs Coordinator and Financial Aid Counselor

Job description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Counseling and Advising, the Special Programs Coordinator and Financial Aid Counselor works independently to provide a variety of advising, coordination, and technical support services related to financial aid programs and special student populations. The incumbent maintains expertise in federal, state, CSU, and institutional financial aid regulations and processes while delivering high-quality customer service and advising to support student enrollment, retention, and success.

Key Responsibilities

Coordinate specialized financial aid programs including Study Abroad, Summer Faculty-Led Programs, Accelerated Programs, and other special session initiatives

Manage awarding and processing for specialized grants, fee waivers, Pell Credential programs, and cross-enrollment students

Serve as liaison with campus and external partners regarding program administration and student support

Provide individualized counseling appointments to students participating in special programs

Present financial aid information through in-person and virtual workshops and outreach events

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Must be able to interact with a variety of internal partners from Academic and Student Affairs to the Office of the President, communicating effectively and professionally. Strong oral and written communication skills

Must possess excellent customer service and public relations skills

Working knowledge of methods, procedures, practices and activities of the program area

Ability to interpret and apply university policies, rules, and regulations regarding financial aid

Knowledge, ability, and initiative to apply the latest concepts, trends, tools, and best practices of enrollment management processes and technologies, including demographic analysis, Web site content development, telemarketing, student search strategies, social networking initiatives, PeopleSoft, customer service based technology systems, and communications strategies

Demonstrated experience with the Federal and State Grant Programs in a Higher Education setting - reconciliation of funds, processing issues, and experience with outside entities in relation to the administration of the programs

Ability to interpret and explain policies to various staff members and students

General knowledge of individual counseling techniques, and working knowledge of student services programs to which immediately assigned

Thorough knowledge of English grammar, business writing, punctuation and spelling

Ability to compose and appropriately format correspondence and reports

Working knowledge of software applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database management

General knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management

General knowledge of research and interview techniques

Ability to obtain factual and interpretive information through interviews

Required Qualifications

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related

Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. A master's degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree

Five (5) years of in-house financial aid experience - from application to disbursement - FAFSA completion, awarding students, revising awards, and processing R2T4, etc.

Two (2) years of experience working with special populations outside of the regular financial aid process

Two (2) years of student counseling experience relaying information to students and families on their financial aid eligibility

Two (2) years' experience of presenting to students/families thru in person or virtually

Experience with online document retrieval system and running queries from software

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional III

Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,540/month - $5,667/month

CSU Salary Range: $5,540/month - $7,893/month

San Jose State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

Resume

Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: May 28, 2026 through June 14, 2026 . This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at policy/ /latest/ and questions may be sent to .

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at . The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at or by email at .

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at . The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at or by email at .

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San Jose State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.