General Information
| Job Description | FINANCIAL AID OFCR 3 | Working Title | Veteran Affairs Financial Aid Officer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Code | 004527 | Grade | 20 |
| Department Name | Financial Aid - D01171 | Department Head | Jose Aguilar |
| Supervisor | Effective Date | 09/09/2022 |
Position(s) Directly Supervised
| Job Code | Title | FTE |
|---|
Generic Scope
| Experienced professional who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field; independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; possesses broad job knowledge; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions. |
Custom Scope
| Working independently under general supervision, applies a broad understanding of student aid program practices and policies to determine appropriate allocation of aid awards, authorize exceptions, and provide individual counseling on non-routine, sensitive aid issues. |
Department Custom Scope
| The Veteran Affairs Financial Aid Officer (VAFAO) serves as the first point of contact for the Financial Aid office, is a campus resource on issues relating to veteran and military educational benefits, and is responsible for advising and assisting students who are eligible for educational benefits as a result of their own military service or that of a family member. Working collaboratively with internal and external constituents, the VAFAO serves as a resource and advocate in troubleshooting administrative challenges on behalf of student veterans and members of the military. The VAFAO is responsible for overseeing the administration of financial aid funding, federal and state military educational assistance programs and vocational rehabilitation benefits. Duties include coordinating eligibility for educational benefits, certifying enrollment, monitoring student progress, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and VA regulations. |
Education & Experience Requirements
Education Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. | Required |
Experience Requirements
| Experience | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 4 - 7 years of related experience. | Required |
License Requirements
| License | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Valid Drivers License | Preferred |
Certification Requirements
| Certification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| SCO Certification from Department of Veterans Affairs. | Preferred |
Educational Condition Requirements
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| SCO Certification from Department of Veterans Affairs within 90 days of appointment date. | Preferred |
Key Responsibilities
| Description | % Time |
|---|---|
| Analyzes a variety of factors (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. | 20 |
Coordinates, implements, evaluates, and reports on government, agency, or donor aid programs. Consults with external agencies on procedural issues or individual student's eligibility. Interprets regulations and develops or recommends procedures to ensure compliance and accurate aid delivery.
|
10 |
| Provides individual counseling on non-routine, sensitive aid issues. Exercises professional judgment to authorize changes in financial aid award. | 10 |
| Provides individual counseling and advising on educational benefits programs available through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Armed Services, and the State of California; specifically, as it pertains to their rights and responsibilities under the various programs, and the recommended processes for gaining full and timely benefits. | 10 |
| Identifies available resources and unmet needs to determine appropriate allocation of aid awards for individual students. | 5 |
| Coordinates with other UC departments to implement and evaluate student-focused activities, programs, and services. | 5 |
Advises departments 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.
|
5 |
| Analyzes exception reports of students whose aid packages could not be handled by automated programming and determines action needed to resolve issues and complete aid allocations for these students. | 5 |
| Participates on standing department committees to provide advice on procedural issues. | 5 |
| Identifies and implements database elements, queries, and reports needed to monitor aid programs. Analyzes reports to resolve ID allocation problems. | 5 |
| Coordinates and creates content for outreach services to prospective students, parents, and the general public. | 5 |
| Coordinates the certification process for Federal educational benefits for eligible students, drawing upon detailed knowledge of VA regulations and UC Riverside academic programs, ensuring that all courses certified are eligible for payment. | 5 |
| Acts as a liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs and designating state approving agencies for annual audits and applications for approval to certify military and Department of Rehabilitation education benefits. Prepares and submits the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding application. | 5 |
| Perform other job-related duties as assigned. | 5 |
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
| Knowledge/Skill/Ability | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Problem identification, critical thinking, and problem solving skills; judgment and decision-making ability. | Required |
| Strong ability to assess processes and implement improvements. Thorough interpersonal skills. | Required |
| Experience using complex databases. Ability to define specifications for database programming. | Required |
| Ability to calculate financial aid with attention to detail and accuracy. | Required |
| Working knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices for awarding financial aid; specialized knowledge of particular programs. | Required |
| Organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines. | Required |
| Strong written and verbal communication skills. Active listening skills. Possesses strong customer service orientation skills. | Required |
| Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques. | Required |
| Ability to interpret policies and develop procedures to ensure compliance. | Required |
| Ability to evaluate campus impact from changing Federal and State regulations and communicate/disseminate information to appropriate University departments and staff. | Preferred |
| Working knowledge of applicable regulations and best practices relating to administering VA educational benefits. | Preferred |
| Strong proficiency with standard office software as well as internet and email applications. Working knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs. | Preferred |
| Working knowledge of University policies, processes, and procedures. | Preferred |
Special Requirements & Conditions
| Special Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Valid Drivers License will be required if operating a personal or university vehicle for university related business. | Preferred |
| Valid Drivers License must comply with the California Department of Motor Vehicle requirements. | Preferred |
| Shift Work (hours outside standard Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM work hours) | Required |
| Travel | Required |
| Travel Outside of Normal Business Hours | Required |
Other Special Requirements & Conditions
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Level of Supervision Received
| General Supervision |
Environment
Working Environment
| Campus |
Other Requirements
Items Used
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Physical Requirements
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Mental Requirements
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Environmental Requirements
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Critical Position
| Is Critical Position: Yes |