Financial Aid Coordinator - TNBR Careers

Overall purpose of this position is to ensure accurate administration and management of financial aid programs in compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations. Accountable for timely execution of federal, state and institutional fu...

Title: Financial Aid Coordinator

Department: Financial Aid

Number of Positions: 1

Classification: 2m/Hybrid Mobile

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reference check requirements:

​·   Non-supervisory roles: three (3) current or former supervisors

​·   Personal references (friends, clergy, customers, relatives) are not considered acceptable references.

Position Summary: Overall purpose of this position is to ensure accurate administration and management of financial aid programs in compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations. Accountable for timely execution of federal, state and institutional funding for student and institutional budgets. Independently provide up-to-date subject matter expertise on federal student aid programs including Return to Title IV, Federal Student Loans, Parent Plus Loans, Alternative Loans, Federal and Instructional Work-study and the Student Aid Application (FAFSA) Data Verification Program to internal and external stakeholders in support of PSCC enrollment objectives and mission.

Essential Functions:

40% Administer Federal and State Student Aid programs, including but not limited to FAFSA applications; perform verification of all verifiable data elements of the FAFSA application; review FAFSA and student documents to resolve conflicting information; enter corrections to FAFSA through FAA and/or Banner; review keyed corrections thru Banner to ensure that all corrections have been made correctly; process federal student aid awards including but not limited to Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Federal Work Study and Federal Student Loans. Administer alternative loan program. Determine eligibility for State aid programs including but not limited to Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarships, (Hope, TN Promise, TN Reconnect,) and TSAA Tennessee Grants. Process timely certification files via FAST; Review and work eligibility reports; calculate, post, verify and reconcile awards. Process returns to Title IV aid related to post withdrawal disbursements, Pell Overpayments and returns of previously awarded Federal Student Aid per federally established guidelines. Notify students of any changes to their federal and/or State Aid eligibility during the term that result in adjustments to their PSCC student account.

15% Work with Common Origination Disbursement (COD), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), various loan lenders, and other applicable parties to resolve problems including student loan default, bankruptcies, SAR C codes, Fresh Start Loan Program. Assist the director/manager to review, analyze, interpret, and troubleshoot system COD extract and import reports to discern errors, identify problem with pells and loans, and take the appropriate action to correct them. 

10% Monitor student continued eligibility based on aid retention requirement and administer appeals processes. Review satisfactory academic progress standards to determine continued eligibility for student aid. Review bench marks and enrollment requirements for continuation of eligibility for state aid programs. Facilitate and/or serve on appeal committee for SAP appeals and IRP for state aid appeals.

10% Review various reports to address issues related to student aid including but not limited to credit hour mismatch, over-award, multiple reporting, transfer monitoring, and reconciliation for Pell and loans

5% Remain current on all Federal, State and Institutional regulations and procedures; staying abreast of Federal, State and Institutional policies, rules and regulations pertaining to financial aid programs.

5% Provide support to the off-site campuses as needed. Utilize a holistic student focused approach to counsel, inform, and process student situations in person, virtually, and by phone, offering excellent customer service. Conduct events such as high school FAFSA nights, Financial Aid Days and Welcome day events.

5% Participate in on-going training/professional development in the following areas: financial aid, start strong center, admissions, registration, advising, and customer service.

5% Administer student scholarships. Accurately and timely post scholarships following institutional, state and federal guidelines.

5% Other duties as assigned to support PSCC Financial aid office, Admissions, start strong center, and/or any of the PSCC campuses.

Note: The College reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, or combine positions at any time.

Key Results Areas: Efficiency and accuracy are paramount in order to facilitate timely awarding and disbursement of Student Aid to student’s accounts each academic term resulting in increased student enrollment.  Efficiency and accuracy of regulatory compliance of managed Financial Aid programs through annual internal, State or Federal audits. Funds must be returned and Post Withdrawal funds must be disbursed according to DOE published guidelines. Low complaint reports.  Federal Work Study awarding and payroll processing is as efficient and as accurate and timely as possible

Job Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 3 years of Customer Service experience with a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint with at least 2 of those years in higher education (financial aid experience preferred), or:
• Associates’ Degree with a minimum of 5 years of Customer Service experience with a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint with at least 4 of those years in higher education (financial aid experience preferred), or:
• High school diploma with a minimum of 7 years of Customer Service experience with a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint with at least 6 of those years in higher education (financial aid experience preferred), and at least 2 NASFAA credentials.
•  Prior Admissions or Advising experience would be a plus.

Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to write clearly and concisely using effectual writing skills.
• Knowledgeable in a variety of financial aid programs such as but not limited to Pell, Loans, Satisfactory Academic Progress, CPoS, R2T4’s, Verification processing, HOPE, TNPromise, and/or TNReconnect as this position assists in the coordination of many different programs.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and make independent decisions.
• Proficient with the Banner Student Information System, BDMS, DegreeWorks, ARGOS Reporting, COD, NSLDS, FAST, Studentaid.ed.gov, Studentloans.gov, and TNReconnect.gov.
• Able to engage in the college’s mission and values.

Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% credit of full-time work experience.

Complexity & Creativity:

The position assists with safeguarding the institution’s eligibility to participate in Federal Title IV and Tennessee State Aid Programs, impacting over 80% of currently enrolled PSCC students.

• Requires critical thinking skills, innovative problem solving to develop automated programs, effective communication, and the improvement of procedures and policies in order to meet PSCC goals and objectives.
• An ability to work creatively (both independently and collaboratively) within Federal and State regulations, to meet mandatory financial budgetary deadlines for the institution and its students, on a semester basis.
• Requires articulateness to deal effectively with internal (PSCC faculty, staff, and administration) and external (Local, State and Federal agencies and other post-secondary institutions) constituents.
• Strong work ethic with excellent oral and verbal communication skills
• Effective public speaking skills for both small and large groups.
• Excellent customer service, patience, sympathy and de-escalation skills as situations can very and at times be very personal and unique. 
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills and a high degree of confidentiality to interact with students and their families regarding their personal and financial data.
• Interacting with a large group of diverse students and parents make interpersonal skills crucial as this position will equip students and their families with the knowledge needed to navigate the financial aid process while helping them understand the value of PSCC.
• Must be consistent in giving appropriate answers/guidance to students. Required to maintaining knowledge of current policies, procedures, and standards to achieve consistency when helping students and families.
• Ability to prioritize while performing multiple tasks.
• Detailed oriented and an aptitude for accuracy.
• Time management skills and ability to meet/adhere to deadlines is imperative.
• This position requires confidentiality in all matters. Fluent with FERPA laws to protect sensitive student data from being lost and or breached.
• Must be dependable.
• High degree of initiative and ability to work well independently and/or with a team is a must.
• Being proficient in a second language would be helpful, but is not required.

Magnitude of Impact: The magnitude of student financial aid programs on PSCC is far reaching and can be caught within days or weeks. Almost every department and facet of a College depends on keeping Federal Student aid Title IV programs in compliance. A State or Federal audit finding in Financial aid programs could result in monetary fines to the college and jeopardize the continuing eligibility in the Student Financial Aid programs. Any issues will first be addressed by the financial aid supervisor/director. If necessary, the AVP will be involved. The AVP will always be kept abreast of any significant issues involving the program(s) this employee oversees.

Responsibility for Accuracy: It is most likely that an error would be caught. Errors will be found by daily automated reports via Banner, Argos or DegreeWorks. Coordinators are required to perform internal audits to verify accuracy. If errors are not caught in a timely manner, students could receive awards that they are not eligible for and could result in state and/or federal audit findings. These findings could result in fines to the school and possible loss of Title IV and/or State aid eligibility. In addition, if students do not have their money on their accounts in a timely manner and they are dependent on financial aid, they may not enroll, thus dropping PSCC enrollment numbers and affecting the schools budgetary income.

Judgement and Decisions: This position makes and is responsible for independent decisions related to the management and administration of Title IV federal student aid and TN State aid. They are responsible for and implementing any changes or updates with occasional consultation of the Financial Aid Manager or Director. Monitor enrollment changes to perform the calculations for return to Title IV processing.

Nature of Contacts: Provide or receive information from the internal and external entities in order to administer the program(s) effectively from a wide variety of areas: Advising, Student Account Services, Admissions and Records, Curriculum & Instruction, Human Resources, Foundation, Deans, Program Coordinators, Faculty, Internal Audit, Academic Departments, Department of Ed., TBR, & TSAC.

Physical Demands:

• Remain stationary for long periods of time.
• Must be able to communicate in person and via phone with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Some moving about a traditional office space and traveling through and around campuses for short periods, ability travel to and from site campuses if needed.
• Much of the work is now on-line and computer based, therefore requiring vision acuity and keyboarding skills.
• Work is performed under a high level of stress to meet deadlines and handle high customer interactions. 
• Multitasking is required. 

Hazards: Back and neck strain from long hours sitting at desk, carpal tunnel injuries from computer keyboard work, and vision strain from computer lighting. Anxiety/stress related fatigue in and after semester peak deadlines.

Full-time Employment Benefits:

• Insurance Options: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Short/Long-term Disability, FSA/HSA 
• Wellness Incentive Program, if enrolled in health plan
• Educational Assistance: Fee Waiver, Spouse/Dependent discounts, Audit/Non-Credit, Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Options: Tennessee traditional pension plan option (TCRS), 401k with $100 company match, 457, 403b
• Employee Discount program with over 900+ companies
• 14 Paid Holidays/Year Includes paid days off the last week of December
• Sick Leave Bank
• Longevity Pay
• Many opportunities for professional development

Special Instructions to Applicants: To be considered for a position at Pellissippi State, you must create an on-line application. Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated using only what is recorded on your application. Work experience that is not listed on the application will not be considered towards compensation. Please note: attaching a resume does not substitute for completion of the application form. Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% of full-time experience. Please note: to scan, upload, or attach documents, a computer and scanner are available at the Hardin Valley Campus Educational Resources Center, if needed.

Pellissippi State Community College is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA employer

If you have any problems or questions please contact Human Resources at Pellissippi State Community College’s Human Resource Office at 865-694-6607 or by email at recruiting@pstcc.edu.

If you are interested in this position, click on Apply located below or Apply Now in the upper right-hand corner. 

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