Financial Aid Specialist Nance Wilkinson has recently joined the CSU team. Her role in the financial aid department involves helping students with their FAFSA needs to ensure a smooth and stress-free process.
We asked her to share more about herself and what she loves most about her career:
- Can you describe your role at CSU? The official title is financial aid specialist I. Essentially, I look at the FAFSA documents that are sent in and double-check all the information to make sure it’s all correct. I send and receive emails regarding the financial aid (FA) process. I even dream about emails regarding the FA process. But, if there is ever a question about where anyone is in their financial aid journey, I’m there to answer that and help keep the train moving toward awarding the funds needed to attend classes.
- What do you enjoy most about your job? My pens. I refuse to use boring pens, so those are always sparking joy for me. I’m kidding! The people I work with are spectacular, and I have never experienced such a supportive group of people in my life. I have the utmost respect for everyone I have gotten to know so far, and I can only imagine that continues to grow.
- Considering your job, what advice would you give to a CSU student? Take a deep breath and know that every step you take in this process, even the seemingly more tedious ones like filling out paperwork, is just a temporary part of the process that gets you where you want to be academically, professionally and personally. You will look at that awesome and well-earned degree hanging on your wall and not spend a whole lot of time thinking about the FAFSA’s you had to fill out to get there or the citations you had to list. One day at a time. One assignment, one discussion post, one form at a time. It’s all going to pay off.
- What is your favorite CSU memory or moment? Is it corny to say all of them? I’ll answer that: it definitely is, but it’s true. I have been so grateful to have found a place here, and I am determined to not take any of it for granted.
- What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I do a lot of baking. A lot of baking. If I don’t have a good reason for 10 a.m. sugar, I will make one. I also have three really awesome kids, so I spend a lot of my spare time hanging out with them because they’re cooler than me and I need the clout. I’m a big music fan, too. I have a growing goal every year to see one more concert than I did the year before.
To hear more stories like Nance’s, visit the Communicator’s features section. Watch the video to learn more about CSU’s Financial Aid Department.
Disclaimer: These testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes.
CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
