Cleveland State Community College · 10 hours ago
Financial Aid Specialist
Cleveland, TN
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$40K/yr - $49K/yr
4+ years expCleveland State Community College is a comprehensive, two-year post-secondary institution, located in Cleveland, Tennessee. The Financial Aid Specialist ensures accurate administration, management, and data collection for federal, state, and institutional programs and provides expertise in aid programs to support enrollment objectives.
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Responsibilities
Administer and maintain compliance for assigned federal or state financial aid programs, including but not limited to Federal Work-Study (FWS) and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Serve as the primary institutional liaison with the state financial aid service center to address and resolve processing issues
Manage institutional and Foundation scholarship programs, ensuring accurate award processing and adherence to eligibility criteria
Conduct student eligibility reviews, certify and post awards, and monitor ongoing compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements
Perform regular reconciliation and oversight of financial aid funds to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely disbursement
Perform tasks related to satisfactory academic progress (SAP), State Aid appeals, Return of Title IV calculations, Federal Work-Study administration, and scholarship processing
Coordinate with the Business Office on matters involving student account refunds, uncashed financial aid checks, and athletic scholarship disbursements
Review and verify student-submitted documentation in compliance with federal regulations to ensure the accuracy of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data
Exercise professional judgment in evaluating extenuating circumstances and processing dependency override requests in accordance with federal guidelines
Gather and review supporting documentation to determine and confirm student financial aid eligibility
Serve as a secondary point of contact and subject matter resource for Student Success Advisors and other staff when resolving complex student cases related to income verification, special circumstances, and disbursement eligibility
Communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and external partners through various channels, including chat, email, phone, and videoconferencing
Provide timely and accurate updates regarding financial aid regulations, policies, and procedural changes to relevant stakeholders
Collaborate with departments across the institution to support student needs and ensure accurate, efficient, and responsive service delivery
Participate in ongoing training to stay current on federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and program requirements
Maintain and regularly update the financial aid policies and procedures manual to ensure accuracy and compliance
Review and update financial aid content across the institution’s website, academic catalog, and internal communication platforms to reflect current policies and information
Maintain and support program-related systems, including Dynamic Forms, Banner, National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), Financial Aid System of Tennessee (FAST), and other financial aid platforms
Collaborate with Financial Aid Compliance and Technical Coordinator and IT to troubleshoot technical issues, streamline operations, and enhance process efficiency through automation and system improvements
Participate in person and/or virtually at on- and off-campus outreach activities, including Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion events, financial aid events, enrollment events, and other student support initiatives
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Associate degree from a regionally accredited institution
Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience in student financial aid or enrollment services within higher education (e.g., admissions, records, advising)
Utilize computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), to prepare reports, manage data, and support daily departmental operations
Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel, to create, analyze, and maintain documentation and reports
Apply working knowledge of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to ensure compliance with student data privacy and confidentiality standards
Collaborate with internal departments, external agencies, and service partners to coordinate activities and enhance service delivery
Organize and prioritize multiple tasks to meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently
Communicate and engage professionally with individuals from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating strong written and verbal communication skills
Analyze and resolve issues using critical thinking, problem-solving, and sound judgment to support departmental and institutional goals
Interpret and apply complex federal and state financial aid regulations and institutional policies to ensure compliance and accuracy in operations
Operate Ellucian Banner (or similar enterprise systems) to process data, maintain records, and support student services
Preferred
Experience with Ellucian Banner is preferred
Apply prior experience working in a community college or higher education setting to effectively navigate institutional processes and support student success; community college experience is preferred
Benefits
Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability (long and short term), FSA/HAS
Wellness Incentive Program (if enrolled in health)
Educational Assistance: Fee Waiver, Spouse/Dependent Discounts, Tuition Reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program
Longevity Pay
Retirement Options: State of TN Pension (TCRS), 401a, 401k with $50 match, 403b, and 457
Fourteen (14) Paid Holidays/Year
Sick and Annual Leave
Sick Leave Bank
State Employee Discount Program with over 900 merchants
Company
Cleveland State Community College
Cleveland State Community College, Cleveland is a school in Cleveland.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$0.03MKey Investors
DensoThe Duke Energy Foundation
2024-10-30Grant
2023-12-13Grant· $0.03M
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