Federal and State Financial Aid Programs Analyst (4528U) 65469
University of California, Berkeley
Location
Berkeley, CA | United States
Job description
Federal and State Financial Aid Programs Analyst (4528U) 65469 About Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.
The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.
We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles , our Principles of Community , and our Strategic Plan .
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu .
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Departmental Overview
The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office (FASO) directly awards or coordinates the awarding of over $850 million from over 700 funding sources to over 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
The mission of the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office is to provide students access to an excellent education. Through strategic partnerships and rigorous planning, FASO offers innovative aid programs to make higher education affordable, helps students and parents navigate financial aid processes, counsels students so they understand their options and feel empowered to make the best choices to manage their financial lives, advocates on behalf of students, teaches students about financial literacy, collaborates to help build upon a comprehensive, holistic culture of care that transforms the student experience and helps us recruit, retain, and graduate students and prepare them for success in life, and fosters a sense of community by encouraging alumni and donors to connect with the university and give the gift of access to the next generation of students.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: March 16, 2024, with the expectation that applications will be reviewed beginning on March 18, 2024.
Responsibilities
Program Administration and Collaboration: - As a member of a team, administer and manage the Federal Pell Grant program, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) and the Children of Fallen Heros (CFH) grant, the Middle-Class Scholarship (MCS) Program, and the College Corps program, including handling tasks such as repackaging aid, communications, and system modifications.
- Serve as a functional expert and department liaison on Federal and State program compliance issues, collaborating with various units including Counseling staff, Fiscal Management staff, Senior Staff, Communications Manager, IT staff, and other campus partners as it relates to the assigned Federal and State programs.
- Communicate effectively with individual contributors within FASO, maintaining collegial relationships to ensure efficient program administration.
- Keep FASO management and staff informed through regular updates via email or other common communications venues about upcoming deadlines, procedural changes, or periodic issues.
- Implement database elements, programming, or procedural changes needed to monitor complex programs and prevent errors.
- Serve as an expert resource on assigned programs and related regulations and policies.
- Provides secondary program support coverage as needed for other Federal and State Programs unit staff members.
Data Reconciliation and Analysis:
- Analyze a variety of factors (financial data, family circumstances, social background, academic status, education goals, and applies knowledge of federal, state, University, and outside agency rules, regulations, and policies to determine student's eligibility for various types of financial aid, particularly MCS, The Federal Pel Grant, and College Corps.
- Reconcile complex student data from multiple sources, identifying and resolving mismatches and errors from external and internal sources.
- Performs needs analysis, assesses eligibility, and exercises professional judgment to determine the allocation of aid awards under complex, specialized regulations or for escalated cases.
- Analyze and resolve data inconsistencies between institutional, state, and federal systems, including daily processing of edit and reject reports.
- Serve as a resource to internal/external partners, analyzing reports to resolve aid allocation discrepancies.
Communication and Outreach:
- Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including counselors managing special programs, Fiscal Management staff, Senior Staff, Communications Manager, IT staff, and other campus partners.
- Assess the need for and compose courteous and informative communications about MCS, Federal Pell, IASG, CFH and SEOG processes for subpopulations of students and families.
- Design and conduct group training/updates as needed on MCS, Federal Pell program, and College Corps processing details.
- Keep FASO's public and staff websites current and accurate regarding MCS, Federal Pell, IASG, CFH, SEOG, and College Corps.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices for awarding financial aid within a higher education setting. Either 3+ years of experience working with federal Title IV and state student aid programs including specialized knowledge of the Federal Pell Grant, State Grant Programs, or other major federal or state funding programs.
- Advanced knowledge of, or ability to learn to use quickly, information management systems related to registration, financial aid, and student accounts. Working knowledge of Federal & State Packaging Policies & Practies at a Public 2-4 Year Public/Private College & University.
- Ability to interpret and present complex policies and develop business process procedures to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations.
- Advanced knowledge of, or ability to learn to use quickly, information management systems related to registration, financial aid, and student accounts. Advanced knowledge of, and successful experience with financial aid advising and counseling techniques.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated by effective, concise, courteous, accurate, grammatically correct, professional, diplomatic, and complete verbal and written interactions.
- Advanced problem identification, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, judgment and decision-making ability.
- Ability to assess and refine current processes and implement improvements.
- Organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines. Demonstrated ability to manage a heavy workload, which may at times require additional work hours or very selective work prioritization.
- Interpersonal skills. Includes active listening, diplomacy, social perceptiveness and the ability to recognize and diffuse charged interactions with customers and colleagues, and to develop effective working relationships with all colleagues. Ability to relate to diverse staff, student, and parent populations.
- Advanced proficiency with standard office software, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access as well as internet and email applications.
- Proficiency manipulating and analyzing large volumes of data. Ability to calculate and reconcile financial aid with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience using PeopleSoft for registration, financial aid, student financials, human resources. Experience using complex databases including testing software for same; ability to review systems issues and write clear communications for systems staff; ability to define specifications for database programming. Proficiency in manipulating and analyzing large volumes of data.
- Advanced knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs.
- Advanced knowledge of federal and state database applications, including Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), Edconnect and GDSM (Grand Delivery System Management for State Grant and Scholarship programs).
- Project management skills. Advanced written and verbal communication skills. Active listening, persuasion, and negotiation skills. Possesses advanced customer service orientation skills.
- Advanced ability to assess processes and implement improvements. Excellent interpersonal skills. Strong social perceptiveness abilities. Demonstrated by the implementation of new process/procedure.
Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's
Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $77,600- $109,000
- This position is exempt and paid monthly.
- This is a remote-friendly position, eligible for 50% - 100% remote capability
- This is a 100% full-time (40 hours per week), career position that is eligible for full UC benefits.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.
For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, please see the University of California Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace policy.
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