Financial Aid Coordinator

Title: Financial Aid Coordinator

Number of Positions: 1

Location of Position: This position may be hybrid/mobile

Position #: 100130

Type of Appointment: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Financial Aid

Required Documents Needed to Upload at Time of Application:

· Resume

· Unofficial Transcripts

· Three professional references (See below)

Reference check requirements:

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

· Personal references (friends, co-workers, clergy, customers, relatives) are not considered acceptable references

About Pellissippi State Community College

Pellissippi State Community College is one of 40 institutions in the Tennessee Board of Regents system. TBR is the governing board of the College System of Tennessee, offering more than 400 programs of study at the state’s 13 community colleges, 27 colleges of applied technology and the online TN eCampus. The college serves an average of 10,000 students, making it the largest community college in Tennessee by enrollment. Pellissippi State Community College offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement programs, time off including annual and sick leave, and much more.

In 2018, Pellissippi State became a member of an Achieve the Dream (ATD) three-year cohort adopting a theme of Start Strong, Stay Strong, Finish Strong for our work. Achieve the Dream has partnered with the program Integrated Student Experience at Pellissippi State (Insteps) to improve the fall-to-fall retention rates for full-time and part-time students by 13% in the next five years. Our vision is to ensure every student who attends Pellissippi State will develop a sense of belonging and confidence in their ability to succeed academically, grow intellectually, and make timely progress towards achieving their educational and vocational goals. If this is something that aligns with your values, we encourage you to apply.

Culture and Diversity

Knoxville claims a wide range of forward thinking national and international talents. The scholarly influence on the Knoxville metropolitan area bred literary greats including James Agee, Cormac McCarthy, and Nikki Giovanni. Knoxville is home to one of the largest sculptures dedicated to an African American in the country. Located in Haley Heritage Square is a 13-foot high bronze statue of author and Pulitzer Prize winner Alex Haley who chose to spend the last several years of his life in Knoxville. Renowned artists Beauford Delaney and Joseph Delaney hailed from Knoxville. Musicians Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, the Everly Brothers, and RB Morris called Knoxville home during their careers. Women’s suffragist Lizzie Crozier French was active in the ratification of the 19^thamendment and was born and raised in Knoxville.

The lasting influence of these artists and activists leaves the Knoxville area as a welcoming area to live and work. More about the area and support groups can be found at Visit Knoxville https://www.visitknoxville.com , the Beck Cultural Exchange Center https://www.beckcenter.net , the Knoxville Urban League https://thekaul.org , Knoxville City https://knoxvilletn.gov , Knox County https://knoxcounty.org , My Knox Village http://myknoxvillage.com/business-directory/wpbdp_category/special-needsdisability-services/ , Knox Pride https://knoxpride.com/equality , Centro Hispano de East TN https://www.centrohispanotn.org , and Knoxville chamber https://www.knoxvillechamber.com

Position Summary:

The 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 in Student Aid Application (FAFSA) Data Verification to internal and external stakeholders in support of PSCC enrollment objectives and mission.

Essential Functions

60% Evaluate Federal rules and regulations regarding FAFSA data, verification of FAFSA Data, and student eligibility making necessary system/processing changes and updating policies/procedures to ensure compliance. Review documents that have been submitted and posted in Banner from Secure Upload and Z Docs to ensure that student has met those requirements. and students have provided all documentation regarding the legal status on the FAFSA/BANNER. Promptly communicate when reviewed documents are incomplete or additional information is needed. Complete data verification within the rules and regulations set forth by the Federal government.

Report findings of the Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose to the Department of Educations. Assist students with forms/documents needed for the verification process. Evaluate verification/FAFSA issues that arise. Review and request necessary updates regarding verification information on the PSCC Webpage, Forms, Catalog, and MyPellissippi as needed. Complete Tickets, e-mails and/or phone messages within 24 hours or less.

20% Must be familiar with Federal Regulations pertaining to aid eligibility and all verifiable data elements of the FAFSA application. Requires knowledge of the documentation accepted by Department of Education to clarify data elements. Knowledge of Federal IRS Income Tax Law is required. Enter Corrections on the FAFSA through FAA and/or Banner. Review “keyed” corrections through Banner to ensure that all corrections have been made correctly. Must be attentive to State Aid programs: TN Promise, Hope, TSAA and TNReconnect requirements as well.

5% Answer staff questions regarding verification procedures and/or verification reviews. Evaluate processing efficiency and work flow to ensure the Financial Aid Priority deadline is met and/or exceeded.

10% Utilize a student focused approach to counsel, inform and process student files, offering excellent customer service. Assist with FAFSA/Financial Literacy events as needed.

5% Other duties as assigned to support PSCC.

Note:

All employees are expected to engage in strategic institutional efforts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion of marginalized students. T

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

Job Requirements:

· Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution

· 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).

· Prior Admissions or Advising experience would be a plus.

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

Skills and 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, 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.

Key Result Areas

Efficiency and accuracy of regulatory compliance of managed Financial Aid programs through annual internal, State or Federal audits. Timely verifications that are processed via file completion date order, measured and tracked to assure that a two week or less delay in processing time is maintained. Efficiency and accuracy are also paramount in order to facilitate timely awarding and disbursement of Student Aid to student’s accounts each academic term resulting in increased student enrollment. Low complaint reports.

Scope of Responsibility

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.

Physical Demands:

· Sit for long periods of time.

· Must be able to communicate in person and via phone with students, parents, and colleagues.

· Some walking and standing for short periods, ability travel to and from site campuses if needed.

· The position must be able to communicate in person and via phone with students, parents and other customers.

· 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.

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, Bursar, Admissions and Records, Curriculum & Instruction, Foundation, Deans, Program Coordinators, Faculty, Internal Audit, Academic Departments, Department of Ed., TBR, & TSAC.

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.

Pay Rate: $40,870 - $50,410/per year. Pay will be determined based on related work experience above required. To be considered in determining pay, all related work experience must be listed on the application.

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 the link to the left to apply.

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