TBR | The College System of Tennessee

Title: Financial Aid Counselor

Employee Classification: Clerical & Secretarial

Institution: Northeast State Community College

Department: Financial Aid

Salary: $31,565-$37,890, dependent upon education and experience

Job Summary

The Financial Aid Counselor serves as a customer service representative for the Office of Financial Aid. They work as a team with the Financial Aid Office to provide a positive experience for visiting students and staff, work with students to resolve financial aid concerns, and perform the clerical and processing duties needed within the office. The Counselor reports to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid.

Job Duties

• Serve as a customer service representative for the Office of Financial Aid, greeting students at the reception desk and assisting them with financial aid questions or concerns.

• Seek help from other financial aid staff, or staff outside our office, as appropriate based on student needs.

• Provide a positive experience for visiting students and staff.

• Respond to emails in the office email account.

• Support processing in various program areas, including but not limited to: state aid programs, private loan processing, consortium agreements, processing student appeals and student need requests.

• Collect, check and scan documentation mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered to the Office of Financial Aid. • Assist with the packaging of outgoing mail.

• Provide assistance on checking/processing various reports.

• Assist with scanning prior-year documentation into BDMS.

• Serve on internal and external committees as needed.

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

• Participate in on and off campus events such as open houses, orientations, and FAFSA events as needed.

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

• Complete other assignments as directed by supervision. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree required from an accredited institution and one (1) year of experience in an office setting or business-related customer service position
• OR High School Diploma (or equivalent) and three (3) years’ experience in an office setting or business-related customer service position

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a student success-related field.
• Financial aid experience.
• Conversational ability or fluency in a second language.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Technology Skills: MS Office suite; videoconferencing software; digital records management systems; general operating systems and data information systems
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Positive and collaborative attitude. Must be a team player, supporting our office and students.

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.