FINANCIAL AID ASSISTANT
Financial Aid Assistant sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It lists an associate's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $45,147 to $65,245.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under supervision of the Director of Financial Aid, assists in the operation of the Financial Aid Office of a State College; does other related duties.
Examples of work
- Encourages students to utilize available Financial Aid services.
- Counsels students concerning financial aid.
- Determines grant award eligibility index.
- Provides information and counseling to assist students and parents with financial planning.
- May secure food stamps for eligible students.
- May assign students to campus and off-campus employment.
- Performs accounting procedures of student employment.
- Processes college work study payrolls and ensures the accuracy of time sheets.
- May compute summary information describing the distribution of Financial Aid allocations.
- Advises students on federal and state financial aid.
- Serves as a member of the Financial Aid Committee and assists in the preparation of necessary materials for its use.
- Maintains records and files.
- Prepares correspondence.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Successful completion of sixty (60) semester hour credits at an accredited college or university.
Experience
One (1) year of experience in the preparation, review, or verification of financial and/or statistical records, which included dealing with the public.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in NJ only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of federal and state programs of student financial assistance programs.
- Knowledge of federal food stamp programs.
- Knowledge of financial planning procedures.
- Knowledge of bookkeeping.
- Ability to counsel students concerning financial aid.
- Ability to counsel students and parents on financial planning.
- Ability to assist in the assigning of students to campus and off campus employment.
- Ability to process work-study payrolls.
- Ability to compile data describing the distribution of financial aid allocations.
- Ability to represent the Financial Aid office at various meetings.
- Ability to prepare correspondence and reports.
- Ability to maintain records and files.
- Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODES: A13- CAH 5/5/99
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.