Financial Aid State and Government Aid Specialist

Financial Aid State and Government Aid Specialist

South College is seeking a State and Government Aid Specialist to join the Financial Aid Department! This position is full-time on site at the South College Lonas Campus in Knoxville, TN.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee day-to-day operations of all state scholarship and grant programs, including eligibility verification, award disbursement, and program reconciliation.
• Administer state programs such as the Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant (DEG), Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA), Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarships (TELS), TN Vocational Rehab, Helping Heroes Grant, TN Reconnect Grant, and TN Promise Scholarship.
• Determine student eligibility based on the cost of attendance and compliance with standard financial aid practices.
• Manage institutional and external scholarship funds including award calculation, posting, reconciliation, and issue resolution.
• Respond to inquiries from students, parents, and staff regarding scholarship policies, eligibility, and account status.
• Perform accurate and timely reconciliation of all assigned scholarship and grant funds.
• Collaborate with internal departments and external stakeholders to resolve scholarship processing issues.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and institutional policies governing financial aid and ensure compliance.
• Provide training to staff and students on state financial aid programs.
• Use financial aid systems and software to input data, generate reports, and analyze award eligibility.
• Conduct verification of student and parent documentation when required.
• Communicate with students and parents regarding missing documentation, eligibility status, and loss of aid when applicable.
• Assist in developing and documenting scholarship and state aid procedures.
• Participate in outreach activities, college fairs, and community events to promote financial aid opportunities.
• Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences related to financial aid regulations and best practices.
• This position requires working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with moderate stress levels during peak processing times. The ideal candidate will demonstrate professionalism, critical thinking, and a passion for helping students succeed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Financial Aid.

Requirements:

Education:

• Required: Associate's degree
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree

Experience:

• 1-2 years of financial aid experience, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), Customer Service, Written & Verbal Communication, Data Entry