Director, Financial Aid

About Golden West College

Located in the coastal community of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is regarded as one of the most beautiful campuses in Southern California. The college is highly regarded for academic quality and innovation. In its earliest years, the college was recognized for its pioneering leadership in designing learning-centered programs and services for its student body and continues that tradition to this day.

Golden West College (GWC) has an unwavering commitment to quality education; equitable outcomes; inclusive practices; and racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity. Ideal candidates for all positions at our college share our devotion to educating and improving the lives of our representative students, employees, and community populations. Currently, our college enrolls approximately 11,000 students per term; 34.2% are Latinx, 31.8% are Asian, 22.4% are White, 1.8% are African American, 0.5% are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 4.8% are multiracial. GWC is an officially designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). GWC engages in regular professional development opportunities and partnerships so that we can best serve disproportionately impacted groups. Activities and connections include GWC's partnership with student and employee involvement in organizations like Puente, Student Veterans, and Gay Lesbian Alternative Straight Alliance (GLASA); a robust District Ally training program, including UndocuAlly (undocumented students), SafeZone (LGBTQ), Vet Net (veterans), and Ability Ally; and other equity minded programs; and a full calendar of culturally responsive events.

D.E.I.A - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

At Golden West College we are committed to providing high quality education and equitable outcomes through inclusive practices that support and celebrate everyone. We welcome candidates that share our devotion to educating and improving the lives of our representative students, employees, and community populations. Please visit the links below to learn more information about GWC:

• Mission, Vison and Values
• GWC Strategic Plan 2025-2029
• GWC Employee-Student Demographics
• Student Equity and Achievement Program

1. Develops, implements, and revises administrative and applicant tracking systems, workflow, policies, and best practices that enhance office productivity, access to information, customer service, and problem resolutions.
2. Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work and projects to team members within Financial Aid Services. Provides quality and audit reviews of work performed in the department; ensures training is provided to all staff as needed.
3. Establishes performance and quality standards by organizing and prioritizing workload and setting up checks and balances to assure accuracy and quality of information along with the fiscal responsibility to comply with financial aid budgets and funding limits.
4. Works closely with District and Campus Fiscal Offices to ensure Federal and State accounts in accordance with regulations to ensure financial aid funds are accurately drawn and deposited into accounts and to prevent penalties for excess cash on hand.
5. Ensures fiscal accountability and reconciliation of federal, state, institutional and private financial aid funds including but not limited to Pell, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Cal Grants, Federal Work-Study, College Promise Grant, Direct Student Loans, and other grants.
6. Performs periodic internal audits of the review and evaluation of financial aid applications to determine accuracy, completeness. Conduct and/or provide training for staff in accordance with Federal and State regulatory requirements.
7. Supervises and implement the packaging rules for State and Federal awards. Audits and adjusts need levels, confirms resources, and awards funds within pre-existing regulatory guidelines.
8. The liaison with federal, state, county, and other agencies to answer questions, resolve problems, provide data, and interpret data.
9. Oversees, responses and works with external and internal auditors as it pertains to financial aid.
10. Resolves and/or assist in the resolution of problems and/or complaints and initiates corrective action as appropriate.
11. Renews and maintains program participation agreements with State and Federal Agency.
12. Oversees and provides direction for outreach/in-reach and communications to schools and community for the purpose of describing financial aid programs and eligibility. Assists with workshops for financial aid information.
13. Supervises, extracts and imports information from financial aid databases to support reporting and auditing.
14. Develops, recommends, and administers approved operational budgets for Financial Aid which are reflective of the customer service goals and volume of financial aid transactions.
15. Submits all required reports timely to satisfy state and federal mandates.
16. Collaborates with various offices at the College and throughout the district to ensure accuracy and streamlined disbursements and compliance.
17. Evaluates staff under supervision and works collaboratively with campus/district personnel to problem solve financial aid relates issues.
18. Leads program review and assessments for the office and recommends program improvement as results of such assessments.
19. Continuously monitors categorical funds and expenditures to comply with guidelines and manages the department's budget.
20. Performs other related duties as assigned that support the objective of the position.
21. Required to abide by all District policies and procedures including Board Policy 3050 - Code of Professional Ethics.

Knowledge and Skills

• The position requires specialized professional knowledge of the regulations, rules, and institutional systems, policies, and processes relating to financial aid and the connections to admissions, registration, and accounting.
• Requires in-depth knowledge of federal and institutional satisfactory academic progress policies.
• Requires in-depth knowledge of Federal and State regulations, policies and procedures relating to awarding and administering financial aid.
• Requires in-depth knowledge of the institutional and board policies relevant to admissions, registration, and student accounts receivable.
• Requires well-developed knowledge of and skills with office systems, routines, procedures, and equipment, including the use of personal computers to access student information databases, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.
• Requires a working knowledge of transcripts and satisfactory academic progress.
• Requires advanced skill at working with specialized databases used in financial aid.
• Requires professional-level language skills to prepare written correspondence and reports used in external communications.
• Requires well-developed math skills to compute principal, interest, sums, percentages, and ratios.
• Requires well-developed human relation skills to convey technical concepts to customers in individual and workshop settings, and exercise patience collaboratively work with other colleagues and external organizations.

• Requires the ability to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the position.
• Requires the ability to develop, organize, manage, and coordinate the daily activities of a financial aid department.
• Requires the ability setup best work practices enabling access and ability to enter, import, retrieve, and export data to and from computer-aided student financial aid applications.
• Requires the ability to apply and train others in financial needs analysis methodologies.
• Requires the ability to analyze technical and complex demographic and financial information and documents and make assessments according to complex policies, procedures, and mandated regulations.
• Requires the ability to coordinate operations with other college units such as Admissions & Records, Student Services, Business Services, Instruction, etc.
• Requires the ability to impart technical and detailed information through one-on-one or group presentations.
• Requires the ability to supervise and perform data and database management.
• Requires the ability to communicate both formally and informally with a wide range of contacts both inside and outside the College setting

• The general physical demands, working conditions, and essential job functions associated with this classification will be kept on file with the Office of Human Resources.
• Essential functions will vary by position.
• As defined by Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act ("FEHA"), the District shall engage in a timely, good faith interactive process with employees or employment applicants who are requesting or are in need of reasonable accommodations and, provide reasonable accommodations for employees or employment applicants who, because of their disability, are limited in or unable to perform one or more of the essential functions of their job in accordance with applicable state and federal law.

• Requires a valid driver's license.

• Work is performed indoors where minimal safety considerations exist

This is a full-time, 12 month per year classified management position. The normal hours of work are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Hours will vary and may include nights and/or weekends in order to meet the needs of the department. The effective date of employment will be arranged with the supervisor.

ATTENTION: Before applying, please be sure to review the Coast Colleges District Board Policy regarding Nepotism (BP 7310)(Download PDF reader) to check if your application may be impacted. Additionally, applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. If you have any questions, please contact HR Recruitment at 714-438-4714 or 714-438-4716.

Application Requirements

To be considered for employment you must submit a complete application packet at http://www.cccd.edu/employment by the application deadline: 11:59 pm, Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Incomplete applications, application materials submitted by mail and documents not requested in the job announcement will not be considered. Please note that the district does not return materials submitted in the application process (copies of original supporting documents are acceptable).

A complete application packet includes:

1. A complete Coast Community College District Online Employment Application.
2. A Current Resume of professional and educational background and experience.
3. A Cover Letter detailing your experience related to the role.

Individuals who need reasonable accommodations in accordance with ADA should notify the Human Resources Office for assistance by emailing jobs@cccd.edu or by calling 714.438.4716.

Pay Philosophy

Coast Community College District, through policies, practices, and other benefit programs, delivers a fair and equitable total compensation program that promotes equal employment opportunity, inclusion, and workforce vitality. In general, it is the policy of the district to place new employees at the first step of the salary grade. All movement on the salary schedule will occur July 1 of each year for all classified employees. (Salary Range DG-10)

Benefits

This position is eligible for the following benefits. Please visit the benefits tab above for additional information.

• Generous medical, dental, vision and life insurance plans for employees and dependents
• 21 paid holidays
• Cumulative sick leave
• Paid vacation
• Longevity salary programs
• PERS/STRS retirement plans
• Deferred compensation/457 plans
• Employee Assistance Program

Employment Information

• Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.
• The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in Coast Community College District policies, procedures, and Title IX. (Reference: BP/AP 5910 )
• The Coast Community College District celebrates all forms of diversity and is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Individuals interested in advancing the District's strategic diversity goals are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

The SELECTED CANDIDATE is required to complete the following prior to employment:

• Provide a Certificate of Tuberculosis Exam for initial appointment (Note: The certificate must be renewed every 4 years as a condition of continuing employment).
• Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer at the candidate's expense (Clearance must be received prior to the first day of employment).
• Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States including a Social Security Card; AND
• Participate in a new hire onboarding appointment with an Employment Services Representative.

Coast Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer The Coast Community College District is committed to employing qualified administrators/managers, faculty, and staff members who are dedicated to student learning and success. The Board recognizes that diversity in the academic environment fosters awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides suitable role models for all students. We arecommitted to hiring and staff development processes that support the goals of equal opportunity and diversity, and equal consideration for all qualified candidates. The District does not discriminate unlawfully in providing educational or employment opportunities to any person on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or genetic information. The Coast Community College District is a multi-college district that includes Coastline, Community College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College.

TITLE IX NOTICE TO APPLICANTS
https://www.cccd.edu/employees/hr/title9/index.html

The 2025 Coast Community College District Annual Security and Fire Safety Report provides the crime statistics for calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024, which were submitted to the U.S. Department of Education as required under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. A hard copy can be obtained from one of the Campus Safety Offices. Please contact any of the Campus Safety Offices for any questions.