print logo
Main Content Anchor

ABOLISHED 06/19/2014 PER PAY LETTER 14-09 - Financial Aid Consolidated Series

ABOLISHED 06/19/2014 PER PAY LETTER 14-09 - Financial Aid Consolidated Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established May 23, 1989

Scope

This consolidated series specification describes four class levels used in the Student Aid Commission.

 

Financial Aid Series Specification - Class Titles and Codes
Schem Code Class Code Class
JQ561963Financial Aid Analyst
JQ541964Associate Financial Aid Analyst
JQ521965Financial Aid Manager I
JQ501966Financial Aid Manager II

Definition of Series

The Financial Aid series describes four levels used by the Student Aid Commission in the operation of the Commission's functionalized Grant and Loan Programs.

 

Persons in this series provide leadership, guidance, consultative services, and technical expertise in the area of Financial Aids to lenders, educational institutions, financial aid staff, students, parents, contractors, and�advisory committees. Incumbents analyze, interpret, and implement State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations regarding the programs; undertake program planning, development, and coordination activities; develop, implement, review, and monitor the lender liaison, training, and information, school liaison, default prevention and collection, and contract services functions of the programs; review grant and aid applications for compliance with rules and regulations related to the financial need and academic criteria which is required; develop, recommend, and implement standards to make complex eligibility determinations; attend and participate in professional conferences and committees concerned with the development or implementation of regulations, policies, and procedures affecting the financing of higher education; represent the Commission at meetings and conferences; and perform other related work.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Position allocation depends upon the scope and level of responsibilities assigned; the complexity of the work; the independence and consequence of action; the level and scope of responsibility for program and policy development and implementation; the impact of decision making on national or statewide programs, or their implementation; the degree of supervisory, managerial, and administrative responsibility exercised and received; authority to commit funds; and the nature and level of external contacts.

 

Analytical positions are differentiated from technical positions by the amount and complexity of research required, the independence of decision making and the authority required to override established policies and procedures and consequence of error to the public and to the Commission's programs. Analysts provide the final resolution as to a student's entitlement to financial aid, repayment rate of loans, etc. Decisions go beyond established criteria and require independent judgement.

Definition of Levels

Financial Aid Analyst

This is the entry and first journey level class in the Financial Aid series. It is used as a recruiting and developmental class for analytical work in one or more functional areas of the Student Aid Commission. Positions are permanently allocated to this class when the major portion of tasks performed do not include the more responsible varied and difficult assignments found in the full journeyperson level. Under close supervision incumbents perform technical, analytical, and consultative duties which are necessary to carry out the functions of the Student Aid Commission. Persons in this classification provide analytical assistance to financial aid staff at educational institutions, lending institutions, students and contractors.

Associate Financial Aid Analyst

This is the full journey-level analytical classification in the series. Under direction, incumbents exercise independent judgement in the performance of their duties. They perform the more difficult and complex technical, analytical, and consultative work requiring a broad base of knowledge of financial aid. They may be assigned total or lead responsibility for a specific project or function, having regional or statewide impact; formulate policies and procedures and make in-depth analysis and recommendations to management on the full range of programs and concerns; act as a technical expert in a particular program area.

Financial Aid Manager I

This is the working supervisory level for the class series. In one of the functional areas of the Commission incumbents supervise the activities of a small-to-medium group of professional staff performing journey-level work and personally performs the most difficult or sensitive work.

Financial Aid Manager II

This is the full supervisory level for the class series. Incumbents typically supervise professional staff through subordinate supervisors to administer one�or more of the Commission's programs. Incumbents at this level normally spend a substantial amount of their time performing supervisory administrative activities.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Experience: Experience applicable to one of the following patterns may be combined on a proportional basis with experience applicable to the other pattern to meet the total experience requirement. (Possession of a master's degree in any field may be used as a substitute for one year of the required nonsupervisory experience and possession of a doctorate degree may be used as a substitute for two years of the required nonsupervisory experience.)

 

Education: When the equivalent to graduation from college is required additional experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. (Applicants who are currently enrolled in their senior year will be admitted to the examination but they must produce evidence of graduation before they may be considered eligible for appointment.)

 

Promotional Candidate: Promotional candidates who are within six months of meeting the "Minimum Qualifications" for the specified promotional class will be admitted to the examination but must complete the required experience before they can be eligible for appointment.

Financial Aid Analyst

Either I

 

One year of experience performing duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to Management Services Technician, Range B, with the Student Aid Commission.

Or II

 

Experience: One year of experience in a recognized internship program with a State, Federal, or private student financial aid institution performing analytical/technical duties equivalent to those assigned to Management Services Technicians working in line programs at the Student Aid Commission. and

 

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with any major.

Or III

 

Experience: One year of analytical, technical or professional experience assisting in one or a combination of the following:

 

1. A student financial aid program for postsecondary education which includes the application process, determination of financial need, packaging, award processing, coordination, verification, fiscal control, outreach and training, financial aid research, program review and audit.

 

2. A consumer loan program at a financial institution which is eligible to participate in the Federal Guaranteed Student Loan Program.

 

3. A governmental or private agency which provides services similar to the Student Aid Commission.

 

and

 

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with any major.

Associate Financial Aid Analyst

Either I

 

One year of experience performing duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to Financial Aid Analyst, Range B.

Or II

 

Three years of analytical, technical, or professional experience in one or a combination of the following:

 

1. A student financial aid program for postsecondary education which includes the application process, determination of financial need, packaging, award processing, coordination, verification, fiscal control, outreach and training, financial aid research, program review and audit.

 

2. A consumer loan program for a financial institution which is eligible to participate in the Federal Guaranteed Student Loan Program.

 

3. A governmental or private agency which provides services similar to the Student Aid Commission.

 

and

 

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with any major.

Financial Aid Manager I

Either I

 

One year of experience performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to an Associate Financial Aid Analyst.

Or II

 

Four years of progressively responsible analytical, technical, and professional experience, including one year of supervisory experience. Technical experience should be in one or a combination of the following:

 

1. The organization and management of a student financial aid program for postsecondary education, which includes the application process, determination of financial need, packaging, award processing, coordination, verification, fiscal control, outreach and training, financial aid research, program review and audit.

 

2. The organization and management of a consumer loan program for a financial institution which is eligible to participate in the Federal Guaranteed Student Loan Program.

 

3. The organization and management of a governmental or private agency which provides services similar to the Student Aid Commission.

 

and

 

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a degree in any major.

Financial Aid Manager II

Either I

 

One year of experience performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to a Financial Aid Manager I.

Or II

 

Two years of experience in California state service performing analytical duties in a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to an Associate Financial Aid Analyst.

Or III

 

Five years of progressively responsible analytical, technical and professional experience, including two years of managerial and/or supervisory experience, in one or a combination of the following:

 

1. The organization and management of a student financial aid program for postsecondary education which includes the application process, determination of financial need, packaging, award processing, coordination, verification, fiscal control, outreach and training, financial aid research, program review and audit.

 

2. The organization and management of a consumer loan program for a financial institution which is eligible to participate in the Federal Guaranteed Student Loan Program.

 

3. The organization and management of a governmental or private agency which provides services similar to the Student Aid Commission.

 

and

 

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a degree in any major.

Knowledge and Abilities

Financial Aid Analyst

Knowledge of: Rules and regulations relating to the Student Aid Commission; methods, procedures, and practices used in analyzing and assessing financial needs of applicants for scholarships and fellowships; organization and functions of commercial lending institutions; and methods, procedures, and practices of the operations of financial assistance programs for higher education in California.

 

Ability to: Reason logically and creatively; research and analyze data; develop and evaluate alternatives and make recommendations to management or lead personnel; speak and write effectively; assist with the preparation of written reports; analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with lending institutions, educational institutions, and contracting agencies.

Associate Financial Aid Analyst

Knowledge of: All of the above; and laws, rules, and regulations of the various Loan and Grant Programs within the Student Aid Commission; a broad knowledge of statewide financial aid issues, policies and practices; supportive staff services such as program budgeting and management analysis.

 

Ability to: Perform all of the above; and act in a lead capacity over lower-level support staff.

Financial Aid Manager I

Knowledge of: All of the above; and organizations and functions of higher education in California; marketing methods and techniques; the principles and practices of effective management and supervision; the Commission's Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

 

Ability to: Perform all of the above; and plan, organize, and direct the work of others; develop standards and procedures for program operations; analyze and interpret data; prepare written reports; communicate effectively with lending and educational institutions and other interested parties; utilize a variety of problem-solving techniques; effectively contribute to the Commission's affirmative action objectives.

Financial Aid Manager II

Knowledge of: All of the above.

 

Ability to: Perform all of the above; and provide leadership at conferences and on committees; evaluate the performance of functional units in accomplishing program objectives; analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and confidence of senior management in lending and educational institutions, contracting agencies, and other State agencies.

Special Professional Requirements

All Levels:

Incumbents must demonstrate the ability to provide leadership, act independently, be flexible, and they must be willing to travel.

Alternate Range Criteria 28four

Experience gained outside State service may be credited only if the appointing power believes the experience was satisfactory and comparable in type and quality to that of Financial Aid Analyst.

 

When the requirements for the criteria for a range are met and the appointing power so recommends, the employee shall receive a rate in a new range under the provisions of Section 599.676.

 

Range A. This range shall apply to incumbents who do not meet the criteria for payment in Range B.

 

Range B. This range shall apply to persons who have satisfactorily completed either: (1) twelve months of experience performing duties equivalent to those of a Financial Aid Analyst, Range A; or (2) two years of experience outside of State service performing analytical duties equivalent to those of a Financial Aid Analyst. Typical examples of the settings of experience used in meeting the criteria are: in other state agencies with similar programs; in the U.S. Department of Education; in lending institutions; in institutions of higher education; in private financial aid agencies; or with a contractor.

Class History

Financial Aid Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed
Class Date Established Date Revised Title Changed
Financial Aid Analyst05/23/1989----
Associate Financial Aid Analyst05/23/1989----
Financial Aid Manager I05/23/1989----
Financial Aid Manager II05/23/1989----
  Updated: 9/5/2017
One Column Page
Link Back to Top