Financial Aid Specialist

Description of Job Duty:

The overall purpose of this job is to ensure compliance with federal regulations is being practiced and in conjunction with Tennessee Tech’s institutional policies and procedures. Attention to detail and a thorough working knowledge of all federal aid, Course Program of Study (CPoS) and Return to Title IV (R2T4) guidelines are preferred but can be trained. Will be a member of the Financial Aid office's loan personnel team. Will work closely with the Associate Director of Federal Programs, students, Records Office, Bursar’s Office and various other campus personnel as required to determine accurate information for student loans, PLUS loans, private/alternative loans, official withdrawals, unofficial drops and withdrawals, purged and terminated students, and last dates of attendance when applicable. Will assist with manual awarding and adjustments, monitoring over awards, monitoring NSLDS issues, and applying standard of reductions for loans as it pertains to this area.  Skill in oral and written communication, as well as ability to prepare letters and written communication will be required. Other duties as assigned.

Tennessee Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

Administer the Federal Stafford and Private Loan Programs for students with last names L-Z. Assist in reviewing the call center log for student with last names L-Z and in reviewing and updating the Policies and Procedures manual as needed. Counsel and advise students with last names L-Z on direct loan information. Counsel and advise students and parents with last names L-Z on the private and PLUS loan processes. Reconcile error records from COD for students with last names L-Z. Responsible for determining eligibility for student requests to increase, decrease, add or cancel any loan funds and ensure federal compliance with all other aid awarded for students with last names L-Z. Transmit Loan records and update Banner loan data, credit decisions, reconciliation data and counseling sessions for federal compliance. Work Resource Reports for students with last names L-Z. Assist Associate Director with resolving over-awarding for students with last names L-Z. Cost of Attendance/Budget Adjustments for students with last names L-Z. Send Exit Loan Counseling emails for students with last names L-Z. Monitor NSLDS for students with last names L-Z. Working Purge lists for students with last names L-Z. End of Term Processes for Federal Aid for students with last names L-Z. Emails to professors regarding LDAs for students with last names L-Z. Census clean-up for students with last names L-Z. Withdrawals and R2T4 for students with last names L-Z.

Physical Demands:

Those typical of an office environment.

Work Hours:

Typical hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Additional hours if/when needed.

Special Instructions:

Applicants will be required to upload a cover letter, resume, copy of transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire), and a list of references. References will be contacted at a later date. Submission of materials is the applicant’s responsibility. Applications without all required materials are incomplete and will not be considered.

Salary:

Level P3, Grade 10.

Benefits:

Tennessee Tech offers a competitive benefits package. Benefits include the accumulation of two vacation days per month and one sick leave day per month, and thirteen University holidays. Other benefits include medical and life insurance (shared cost with the university), retirement, optional 401k, and educational benefits.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in business or a related field with four years of related professional experience. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with Federal aid programs, specifically with federal direct student loans, PLUS direct loans, and private/alternative education loans. Knowledge of personal counseling techniques. Ability to communicate effectively.