Student Financial Services Specialist (On-site)

About the Job

This position provides student financial services for graduate education within the Graduate Division. Under direct supervision of the unit Manager, this position applies financial student services policies and procedures, practices, and concepts to resolve routine financial services, issues, and/or customer inquiries. The range of activities includes, but is not limited to, one-time lump-sum fellowships, monthly fellowship stipends, tuition & fee coverage fellowships, and/or academic student employment-related tuition & fee remissions. This position will work on common and/or routine problems of limited scope with a moderate level of review. This position will utilize various information systems to accomplish their tasks, including the student information system (Banner), payroll system (UCPATH), Graduate & Lecturer Academic Appointment System (GLAAS), graduate admission application system (Slate), as well as custom Excel spreadsheets associated with fee remissions and fellowship awards. Contacts are mostly internal with some external.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides support in administering common financial packages for lump-sum fellowships, monthly fellowship stipends, tuition & fee coverage fellowships, and/or academic student employment-related tuition & fee remissions. Performs basic preparation and processing of graduate student financial support. Uses various information systems to accomplish their tasks, including the student information system (Banner), payroll system (UCPATH), Graduate & Lecturer Academic Appointment System (GLAAS), graduate admission application system (Slate), graduate fellowship application system (SLATE) as well as custom Excel spreadsheets associated with fee remissions and fellowship awards.
• Coordinate and/or monitor the reviews and processes of student fellowships and other graduate student financial awards. Reviews and processes academic student employment related tuition & fee remissions; effectively address external inquiries related to student fellowships and remissions.
• Assists in monitoring Graduate Division internal graduate student financial support budget allocations, including University Student Aid Program (USAP), which is budgeted at over five million dollars alone, and ensure compliance, accuracy, and effective management of such funds. Assist with account reconciliations and research and resolves discrepancies in financial data. Processes basic/ routine financial transactions for review or approval by others.
• Follows procedures to ensure internal controls are maintained to protect University resources. Assesses compliance with regulatory agencies and internal policies
• Other duties as assigned critical to the Graduate Division programs and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree From an accredited university in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Management, Economics, or a related field.
• One (1) year of directly related, progressively responsible experience or five years of equivalent experience/training. A master's degree is preferred but may not substitute the required year of experience.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Basic knowledge of financial or accounting concepts, processes and procedures.
• Strong knowledge of financial data management and reporting systems.
• Proficiency in the use of spreadsheet and database software.
• Interpersonal skills, service orientation, active listening, critical thinking, attention to detail, ability to multi-task in a high volume environment, effective verbal and written communication skills and organizational skills.
• Ability to function effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities. Preferred
• Basic knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources. Preferred

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. 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, 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. The full salary range for this position is Step 1: $26.48/hr - $36.36/hr. The hourly range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is Step 1: $26.48/hr.

Job Closing Date
This posting will remain open until filled with initial applicant review expected to be on or around March 13, 2026.

This union position is represented by the bargaining unit Clerical & Allied Services - CX Teamsters Local 2010.

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: This position is fully on-site.