Processing and Special Programs

The role of the Processing and Special Programs unit is to provide escalated guidance to students and families via our counseling team. This unit also manages aspects of financial aid such as reviewing taxes, appeals, and other special circumstances.

Carla Rutledge

Senior Assistant Director of Processing and Special Programs

Anh Vuong

Senior Counseling Supervisor

Scarlett Upshaw

Counseling Supervisor

Ruben Garcia

Senior Counselor

Christopher Fragoso

Senior Counselor

Jessica Maldonado

Counselor

Norma Toledo

Counselor

Zoey Zhen

Counselor

Elizabeth Barrios

Counselor

Kayla Hudson

Counselor

Customer Service

The role of the Customer Service unit is to provide excellent customer service to our students via our walk-in service counter, our phone lines, as well as electronically through the financial aid email system. This unit also reviews revisions to student accounts such as housing changes and budget add-on requests.

Jennifer Fernandez

Senior Assistant Director of Customer Service and Communications

Maria Sanchez, M.Ed.

Communications and Outreach Coordinator

Antonio Vega, FAAC®

Peer Advisor Program Supervisor

Christian Jordan

Outreach Specialist

Stephany De Leon Rosales

Advisor

Luis Gomez

Advisor

Victoria Morales

Advisor

Scholarships

The role of the Scholarships unit is to award in house scholarships and act as liaisons for special programs such as Jackie Robinson Foundation, Gates Millennium, TELECU, Alumni Scholarship, and National Merit.

Alejandra Ramirez

Scholarships Supervisor

Tamara Tsang

Scholarships Program & Database Manager

Verona Nelson

Scholarships Advisor

Natalie Melgoza

Scholarships Advisor

Compliance & Training

The role of the Compliance unit is to ensure that Financial Aid and Scholarships is operating in accordance to the guidelines set forth by university and federal policies. The compliance unit also reviews items such as student satisfactory academic progress, and withdrawals.

Nancy Garcia, MBA, FAAC®

Senior Assistant Director of Compliance & Training

Gustavo Alberto Sanchez, M.Ed.

Assistant Director of Training

Cynthia Mancilla

Lead Compliance Officer

Justin Ko

NCAA Compliance Officer

Andrea Renteria

Compliance Officer

Gary Sanati

Compliance Officer

Federal and State Programs

The role of the Federal and State Programs is to review and confirm student eligibility for each program including reconciliation for all awards with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and federal Common Origination & Disbursement (COD). The unit also completes hiring paperwork and processes timesheets for UCLA's off-campus work-study student population.

Brianne Compton

Senior Assistant Director, State & Federal Programs and System Support

Sandra Machuca

Lead Federal & State Programs Officer

Uzziel Sanchez

Program Specialist

Sandra Sanchez

Program Specialist

Document Management

The role of Document Management is to collect and organize all paperwork submitted by students, and have these documents uploaded to the students account. UCLA has elected to use a “paperless” process when filing documents, and Document Management is responsible for the timely review and uploading of all documents.

Violet Banks

Document Management Coordinator

Fiscal Operations Unit

The role of the Fiscal Operations unit is to provide broad oversight of all federal, state, institutional, and private awards managed by the office. This includes financial aid disbursements to students, reconciliation of student aid programs along with year-end reporting to all agencies as it relates to financial aid.

Elizabeth Aguilera

Senior Fund Manager

Venét Jones

Fund Manager

Eileen Preciado

Fund Manager

Data and Systems Unit

The role of the Data and Systems unit is managing the technology, data, and processes that support financial aid operations. This unit ensures that financial aid systems (like student information systems and federal aid platforms) function efficiently and accurately.

Morgan Quijano

Director of Data and Systems

Aviral Sah

Assistant Director of Data and Systems

Joseph Cho

Business Systems Analyst

Kyle Catino

Business Systems Analyst

Management

The Management Team includes the Executive Director, Director, Associate Director, Assistant Directors, and our Office Manager. The Management Team is responsible for the oversight of the daily operations in Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Marvin Smith, FAAC®

Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Ina Sotomayor

Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Morgan Quijano

Director of Data and Systems

Carla Rutledge

Senior Assistant Director of Processing and Special Programs

Nancy Garcia, MBA, FAAC®

Senior Assistant Director of Compliance & Training

Jennifer Fernandez

Senior Assistant Director of Customer Service and Communications

Brianne Compton

Senior Assistant Director, State & Federal Programs and System Support

Aviral Sah

Assistant Director of Data and Systems

Theda Gill

Office Manager

Diane Vu

Business Office Assistant