Financial Aid Coordinator

Financial Aid Coordinator

Number of Openings: 2

Institution: Cleveland State Community College

Department: Financial Aid

Reports to: Associate Director of Financial Aid

Campus Location: Cleveland, Tennessee

Salary Range: $44,875-$56,093

Position Status: Exempt / Full-Time

Moving Allowance: N/A

Cleveland State Community College is a comprehensive, two-year post-secondary institution, located in Cleveland, Tennessee. Cleveland State is committed to providing open access and quality education to all students. A Tennessee Board of Regents institution, Cleveland State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). At Cleveland State, our mission is to build strong minds, careers and communities through exceptional teaching and learning, workforce development and service. We wish to hire individuals with similar values who can help us accomplish those goals.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To be considered for a position at Cleveland State, you must complete an online application. Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated solely based on the information provided in your application. Any work experience not included will not be considered for meeting the minimum requirements or determining compensation for the position.

• Attaching a resume does not substitute for completion of the application form.
• Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% of full-time experience.

JOB SUMMARY

The Financial Aid Coordinator is responsible for ensuring accurate administration, compliance, reconciliation, and operational management of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs in accordance with applicable regulations and institutional policies. This includes verifying application data and eligibility, calculating and adjusting award amounts, and certifying and reconciling financial aid disbursements. The Financial Aid Coordinator maintains extensive knowledge of financial aid requirements, policies, and procedures, and serves as a key resource in support of CSCC’s enrollment objectives and mission. This role typically oversees a broad portfolio of financial aid programs and processes with significant regulatory complexity, operational impact, and reconciliation responsibility.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

**Experience of less than four (4) years will align with the minimum salary specified in the salary range.**

• Associate’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in any combination of:
  • Finance (e.g., processing financial transactions; account reconciliation; applying policies and regulatory requirements; analyzing financial data; working with funding programs, etc.).
  • Student services (e.g., supporting students in higher education settings; interpreting and applying policies; assisting with enrollment or financial aid processes; contributing to student success and retention efforts, etc.).
  • Customer service (e.g., providing direct support to broad student populations; responding to inquiries; resolving issues; etc.).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Financial Aid Program Administration & Compliance (65%)

• Manage a broad portfolio of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, ensuring accurate award processing, eligibility determination, and compliance with all applicable regulations and policies.
• Conduct complex eligibility reviews; posts, adjusts, and certifies awards; review verification documentation; and monitor ongoing compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements.
• Perform reconciliation, analysis, and oversight of financial aid funds, including coordination with the Business Office on refunds, to ensure accuracy, timely disbursement, and resolution of discrepancies.
• Execute and/or oversee complex regulatory processes (e.g., SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress), R2T4(Return of Title IV Funds)) and serve as a subject matter expert to staff, supporting resolution of complex student cases.

Communication and Collaboration (15%)

• Communicate effectively with internal departments, external agencies, and institutional partners regarding financial aid processing, compliance, and program administration.
• Provide timely updates on regulatory changes, policies, procedures, and program requirements to relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborate across departments to resolve processing issues, support operations, and ensure efficient, student-centered service delivery.

Training, Policy, and Development (15%)

• Participate in ongoing professional development to maintain current knowledge of financial aid regulations and best practices.
• Maintain and update the financial aid policies and procedures manual and ensure consistency and compliance across operations.
• Review and update financial aid content on the website, academic catalog, and internal platforms to ensure accuracy and clarity.
• Partner with the Enterprise Systems Analyst and IT to troubleshoot issues, improve processes, and enhance system efficiency through automation and improvements.

Non-Essential Functions (5%)

• Actively participate in on-and off campus outreach activities including FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), financial aid events, enrollment events, and other student support initiatives.
• The Financial Aid Coordinator will be required to meet standards now required or which may be required by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC).
• May be required to achieve additional skill, knowledge, or credential levels.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively engage a wide range of audiences—including students, faculty, staff, and external partners—through clear, professional, and responsive interactions.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, work independently, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail in fast-paced environments.
• Experience with student information systems, financial aid systems, and data management practices, and the ability to maintain accurate records, manage student data, and utilize technology effectively in daily operations.
• Familiarity with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and the ability to ensure compliance with regulations governing student data privacy and confidentiality.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, and the ability to interpret, apply, and evaluate complex information—including federal and state financial aid regulations and institutional policies—to support decision-making and compliance.
• Commitment to customer service best practices and the ability to deliver responsive, consistent, and student-centered support while maintaining professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and the ability to create documents, manage data, prepare reports, and support daily operations.
• Preferred experience:
  • Financial aid administration
  • Higher education setting
  • Ellucian Banner or other student information systems
  • Familiarity with the U.S. Department of Education Systems, including Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and/or the Financial Aid System of Tennessee (FAST).
  • Experience working with broad student populations

WORK ACTIVITIES & EQUIPMENT

Work activities routinely involve the use of standard office equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, and other related devices. Employees are expected to perform tasks such as data entry, document preparation, email communication, and report generation using these tools.

JOB LOCATION

This on-site position is based in the Financial Aid Department located in the Student Affairs Building on the main campus of Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tennessee. The role may involve travel across the college’s five-county region, as well as occasional travel to state meetings, conferences, and professional events. Additional travel within the service region for meetings, outreach, and program-related activities is also expected.

Applicants may be subject to a background check and credit check.

Cleveland State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• 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

Applications can be assured full consideration if submitted by May 26, 2026.

Human Resources Office
Telephone: 423-478-6203; FAX: 423-478-6257
Email: humanresources@clevelandstatecc.edu
Website: www.clevelandstatecc.edu