Title: Financial Aid Senior Staff Associate

Employee Classification: Clerical/Support Staff

Institution: Northeast State Community College

Department: Financial Aid

Salary: $39,760- $45,791 dependent on education and experience

Please use the Total Compensation Calculator found on the Northeast State Careers Page for a breakdown of the value of the benefits offered to employees of the college.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid, the Senior Staff Associate is responsible for overseeing and administering the Federal Work-Study program. They will also be responsible for supporting Return to Title IV calculations, coordinating the state aid appeal process, posting outside financial aid, and processing private student loans. This individual will also serve as a point of contact for the TBR Service Center as it relates to student-level questions about state aid programs.

Job Duties

• Serve as office liaison with TBR Shared Services for the following state aid programs: TN Promise, TN Reconnect, HOPE, Aspire, Merit, and the Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA). TBR Shared Services will handle batch processing, certification, and reconciliation. This position will be the main point of contact for student-specific questions related to eligibility, awarding, and appeals and, therefore, must maintain current knowledge of state financial aid regulations.

• Process memos for students enrolling in less than the required credit hours for TN Promise, TN Reconnect, and the HOPE Scholarship.

• Serve as the State Aid Appeals Coordinator. Ensure student appeals are complete with all required information and supporting documentation. Coordinate meetings/communications with the Institutional Review Panel (IRP) to facilitate decisions. Maintain proper documentation of the process/decisions. Communicate decisions to students and/or TSAC.

• Administer the following state programs: Helping HEROES Grant, Foster Care Grant, Vocational Rehab, and the Dependent Children’s Scholarship.

• Responsible for posting NeSCC Foundation scholarships and all outside financial aid to student awards. This includes, but may not be limited to third-party scholarships, AmeriCorps awards, COMPLETE Grants, and Student Need Grants.

• Primary administrator for the Federal Work-Study Program (FWS). Responsible for understanding and staying current on regulatory and compliance issues related to FWS. Oversee the development and posting of FWS position descriptions. Work with campus supervisors to determine needs and ensure placement of reading or math tutors in local elementary schools or family literacy programs.

• Manage FWS applications, contracts, and necessary hiring paperwork. Work with Human Resources to ensure that federal hiring laws are followed within the FWS program.

• Review and approve FWS timesheets and communicate with FWS supervisors regarding requirements and deadlines. Coordinate with payroll to ensure students are paid correctly and on time.

• Conduct a monthly reconciliation of the Federal Work-Study Program. Assist the Director with the FWS section of the annual FISAP.

• Assist with the Academic Work Scholarship (AWS) program. Coordinate with the NeSCC Scholarships Office as needed to administer the program.

• Serve as the secondary administrator for the Return of Title IV Funds process (R2T4). Process both official and unofficial withdrawals within federally required timeframes.

• Responsible for private loan processing. Ensure loans are processed accurately and on time. Coordinate with the Business Office on policies and procedures.

• Provide excellent customer service.

• Maintain positive working relationships with other NeSCC staff, external partners including tnAchieves, the Ayers and Niswonger Foundations, and all supporting state organizations, i.e. TBR, TSAC, and THEC.

• Review and update the Policy and Procedures manual as needed.

• Serve on internal and external committees as needed.

• Participate in cross-training with other staff within the Student Success Division as appropriate.

• Occasional trips to off-campus instructional sites may be required.

• Complete other assignments as directed by supervisor. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional work experience in financial aid, social services, school counseling, financial management, or other student service-related positions in higher education.
• Experience with a modern information system such as a CRM, ERP, or student information system.
• History of working independently to complete projects that require research and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Banner.
• Working knowledge of regulations governing federal, state and institutional policies regarding financial aid administration.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and external contacts.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment. Technology Skills: MS Office skills, Word, Excel, Outlook; digital records management systems; general operating and data information systems.
• Positive and collaborative attitude.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (application will be reviewed for accuracy).

For assistance regarding the job ad, application process, or application status, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 423-354-5183 or HRstaffing@northeaststate.edu.

Special Instructions to Applicants: To be considered for a position at Northeast State, you must create an online application. A resume and unofficial transcripts are required; a cover letter is optional. You will also be required to provide the contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references. Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated using only what is recorded on your application. Please note that attaching a resume does not substitute for completion of the application form. Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% of full-time experience.