Financial Aid Specialist

FINANCIAL AID SPECIALIST

Number of Openings: 1

Institution: Cleveland State Community College

Department: Financial Aid

Reports to: Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Campus

Location:

Cleveland, Tennessee

Salary Range: $40,000-$49,280

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.

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.

Please note the following:

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

The Financial Aid Specialist ensures accurate administration, management, and data collection for federal, state, and institutional programs and other financial aid related requirements in compliance with respective regulations for federal and state funding. The Financial Aid Specialist provides up-to-date subject matter expertise in all aid programs and other requirements to internal and external stakeholders in support of Cleveland State’s enrollment objectives and mission.

• 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).

• 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…