ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Remote Financial Aid Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFinancial Aid JobsRemote Financial Aid JobsRemote Financial Aid Jobs in California

Remote Financial Aid information

What is a remote financial aid specialist?

A Remote Financial Aid specialist is a professional who assists students and their families with navigating the financial aid process for educational institutions, but does so virtually rather than in person. Their responsibilities include helping applicants complete forms like the FAFSA, explaining different types of financial aid, and answering questions about grants, loans, and scholarships. By working remotely, they provide guidance and support via phone, email, or video conferencing, making it more convenient for clients to access assistance from anywhere.

What are remote jobs in financial aid?

Remote financial aid jobs involve working with students who are applying for financial aid for college or other educational institutions. Common job titles include financial aid counselors, officers, or advisors. Your duties may involve determining the eligibility of each student for grants, scholarships, student loans, or work-study programs. As a counselor or advisor, your responsibilities are to advise students on the phone or over the internet on the steps that they can take to obtain monetary assistance, taking into account their career plans and academic performance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote financial aid advisor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Financial Aid Advisor, you need expertise in financial aid regulations, application processes, and a background in higher education or student services, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with student information systems (SIS), federal and state financial aid portals, and tools like Banner or FAFSA processing software is crucial. Strong communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills help you guide students remotely and ensure regulatory compliance. These skills and qualities are vital for accurately assisting students, maintaining data integrity, and supporting institutional goals in a virtual environment.

What are some common challenges faced by remote financial aid advisors, and how can they be overcome?

Remote financial aid advisors often face challenges such as maintaining clear communication with students, staying updated on evolving regulations, and managing confidential documents securely online. Overcoming these challenges involves utilizing secure digital platforms for document sharing, scheduling regular video or phone meetings to foster strong student relationships, and participating in ongoing training to stay current with policy changes. Effective time management and collaboration with colleagues through virtual team meetings also help ensure consistent support and workflow.

What is the difference between Remote Financial Aid vs Remote Financial Aid Coordinator?

AspectRemote Financial AidRemote Financial Aid Coordinator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require financial aid certificationsHigh school diploma; often requires financial aid certifications or related experience
Work EnvironmentRemote, often in educational institutions or financial servicesRemote, typically within educational institutions or colleges
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by colleges, universities, and financial aid organizations

Remote Financial Aid generally refers to roles involved in processing and managing financial aid applications remotely, while Remote Financial Aid Coordinator often involves overseeing the entire financial aid process, coordinating with students and staff. Both roles require similar credentials and are used in educational settings, but the coordinator position usually entails additional responsibilities in administration and communication.

What finance jobs can I do remotely?

Remote financial aid roles typically include positions such as financial aid advisor, financial analyst, or billing specialist, which often require strong communication skills and familiarity with financial software. These jobs can be performed from home with a computer and internet connection, and may involve tasks like managing student aid applications, analyzing financial data, or processing payments. Many of these roles are available through online job boards and may require relevant certifications or experience in finance or education administration.
More about Remote Financial Aid jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Financial Aid jobs in California?

The most popular types of Financial Aid jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Remote Financial Aid jobs in California?

For Remote Financial Aid jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Remote Financial Aid jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Financial Aid jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Remote Financial Aid jobs?

Cities in California with the most Remote Financial Aid job openings:

Remote Financial Aid jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Financial Aid job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 53% Full Time, and 47% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution.

Director of Student Financial Services (45719)

GOLDEN GATE UNIVERSITY

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$95K - $110K/yr

Other

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Director of Student Financial Services
Job Title: Director of Student Financial Services
Reports To: Senior Director of Student Financial Services
Department: Student Financial Services
Salary: $95,000 - $110,000
Benefits: The University's comprehensive benefits program
Location: Remote - Hybrid
Days & Hours: Monday through Friday, 37.5 hours per week. Standard work schedule is 9:00 am to 5:30 PM, may be adjusted. Flexible schedule may require evening and weekend hours during peak periods.
Position Summary
The Director of Student Financial Services (SFS) leads the operational, and technical administration of the university's Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Veterans Affairs educational benefits. Reporting to the Senior Director of Student Financial Services, the Director focuses on digital transformation and optimizing the Student Information System (SIS). The Director ensures seamless, compliant, and student-centric delivery of financial services.
Key Responsibilities
Technical & Systems Optimization (30%)
  • SIS Configuration: Oversee the parameterization, configuration, and testing of financial aid, billing, and VA benefit modules within the university's SIS (e.g., Colleague, Oracle and Sales Force).
  • Serve as the primary functional lead for the Colleague (Ellucian) system within Student Financial Services.
  • Configure, maintain, and optimize system functionality across Financial Aid, Student Accounting Services, and Veteran Educational Benefits offices.
  • Develop reporting tools and validation processes to ensure data integrity and support decision-making.
  • Automation & Workflows: Identify opportunities to enhance the student experience through technology-enabled solutions such as self-service tools, automation, and predictive analytics.
  • Support change management efforts associated with the adoption of new technologies.
  • Integrations & Upgrades: Partner with the Information Technology (IT) department to manage system updates, patch testing, and integration with external platforms (e.g., U.S. Department of Education systems, COD, and VA Enrollment Management).
  • Data Integrity & Reporting: Ensure data accuracy across student financial records, financial aid packaging algorithms, and billing ledgers, and build ad-hoc and automated reporting dashboards.
  • Maintain strong internal controls to safeguard institutional assets and ensure audit readiness.

Compliance & Regulatory Management (40%)
  • Maintain comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge of and ensure strict adherence to U.S. Department of Education regulations (Title IV) and state financial aid laws.
  • Lead the preparation and coordination of annual compliance audits, program reviews, and the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP).
  • Prepare for and coordinate the annual A-133 compliance audit and program reviews, resolving any findings efficiently.
  • Design, implement, and document internal controls and policies to minimize institutional risk and eliminate potential compliance findings.
  • Oversee the allocation, reconciliation, and disbursement of institutional scholarships, grants, and federal funds.
  • Oversee the administration and calculation of Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4), conduct internal audits regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals, federal verification, and institutional aid to identify discrepancies and reduce institutional liability.
  • Oversee the review of complex financial aid appeals, professional judgments, and special circumstance evaluations.
  • Translate complex legislative and regulatory updates into actionable university policies and procedures.
  • Manage the day-to-day operations of the Financial Aid Office, ensuring the timely processing of financial aid applications, verification documents, and disbursements.

Strategic Leadership & Training (30%)
  • Assist the Senior Director in developing and executing a strategic vision which fosters a cross-trained, high-performing, and student-focused team.
  • Oversee the daily operations of the Financial Aid and Student Accounting Offices; supervise, train and mentor professional and support staff.
  • Develop and report on departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), analyzing financial aid and student accounting trends, retention metrics, and graduation data.
  • Serve as the primary liaison between Student Financial Services, Admissions, the Registrar, and Institutional Research departments to streamline compliant data sharing.
  • Serve as the department's point of contact for resolving complex, escalated student/parent financial disputes and appeals.
  • Serve as the primary liaison between Student Financial Services, Admissions, the Registrar, and Institutional Research departments to streamline compliant data sharing.
  • Design and implement training workshops for university staff to guarantee university-wide awareness of changing financial aid rules/regulations.
  • Design and execute financial literacy workshops and outreach programs to help students and families make informed decisions about managing their educational debt.
  • Act as the primary decision-maker in the Senior Director's absence and represent the office on university-wide committees

Qualifications & Skills
  • Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Accounting, Finance, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field, master's preferred; a minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education financial aid, with a distinct specialization in regulatory compliance; or a combination of education and related experience.
  • Minimum of 3 years in management or supervisory experience, including hiring, training and evaluating staff and student workers.
  • Technical Expertise: Advanced proficiency with enterprise student information systems (e.g., Ellucian, Sales Force) and SQL or reporting/data-analytics tools.
  • Strong project management capabilities with a proven track record of implementing technological solutions to improve office workflows.
  • Compliance Expertise: Deep level understanding of Department of Education Title IV regulations, NASFAA standards, NSLDS, COD.
  • Deep, working knowledge of Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Communication: Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills to advocate for students and present complex regulatory information to faculty and staff.
  • Strong analytical, decision-making, and supervisory skills with the ability to maintain absolute confidentiality and navigate deadline-driven environments.
  • Service Excellence: Dedicated to delivering high-quality, responsive customer service to the university community.

Supplemental Information
To apply: Please go to http://www.ggu.edu/jobs to submit an application, letter of interest, and a resume.
In applying for a position, candidates sign a consent authorizing a broader inquiry which may include reference checks, a motor vehicle check, and a third-party background check.
Golden Gate University is an equal employment opportunity employer. We support inclusive excellence and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming community for all.
University policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion/creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, gender stereotyping, and gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, taking a protected leave (e.g., family medical or pregnancy leave), or on any other basis protected by applicable laws.
The University has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and to maintaining working and learning environments that reinforces these practices. The University welcomes and encourages applications from all demographics.

Apply