Administrative Associate 5 (2 Positions)

Tennessee Technological University   Cookeville, TN   Full-time     Administration / Clerical
Posted on May 5, 2023
Position Information

Position Information

Position Number

531150

Working Title

Administrative Associate 5 (2 Positions)

Job Title

Administrative Associate 5

Department

Student Financial Aid Office

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Purpose

The overall purpose of this job is to process student verification paperwork in accordance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines and regulations. Acts as a subject matter expert on federal, state and institutional policies and procedures and consistently applies eligibility requirements to all students to ensure proper approval of funds. Provides front line support to the student verification process. Administrative role in processing professional judgment and dependency override requests.

Tennessee Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Essential Functions
  • Examines aid applications to determine whether or not additional documentation needs to be requested to resolve inconsistencies/conflicting information between the federal aid application (FAFSA) and previously submitted documentation such as tax returns, transcripts, worksheets, low income forms and federal need analysis. Verifies and documents the data submitted by students on the Free Application for Student Aid according to federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
  • Under general direction of the Assistant Director, perform complex student services typically requiring the application of both federal/institutional policy knowledge and professional judgment in guiding and evaluating the proper submission of Professional Judgment and Dependency Override paperwork as it relates to Prior, Prior Year, COVID 19 and economic recession. Demonstrates the ability to make independent decisions directly effecting verification process which results in more accurate, timely awarding. Helps reduce the student burden of the verification process. Increased knowledge and ability to interpret legal documentation for verification purposes as a result of the addition of Professional Judgement and Dependency Override advisement.
  • Enters into institutional Student Information System (SIS- Ellucian Banner) data elements from the verification documents and codes the received documents to ensure full compliance and student notification via Eagle Online. Responsible for interpreting manual and automated processes with regards to verification process within Banner.
  • Performs verification tasks, communicates to students regarding missing required supporting documentation in Banner.Advises and assists students in successful completion of initial aid applications and subsequent processes. Serves as a subject matter expert both internally and externally with regards to federal and institutional financial aid policies and procedures. Conducts advisement regarding verification processes in person, by phone, or email. Due to recent COVID 19 pandemic and increased need for remote communication, processing now conducts virtual financial aid advisement upon request. In addition to communicating by phone, in person or by email. Serves our department as a community outreach support personnel for High School FAFSA events. Works alongside TSAC and other colleges to support FAFSA submission deadlines across the Upper Cumberland area.
  • At the discretion of the Assistant Director, responsible for responding to escalations/referrals submitted by our call center with regards to Verification, Missing information, or general financial aid questions.
  • Under general supervision of Assistant Director, increased support with regards to records and retention of verification documentation. Responsible for reading, analyzing, and interpreting financial aid reports to ensure proper removal of paper records. Works directly and supervises student workers in the yearly record retention process. Processes paper/digital financial aid documents into the document imaging system (BDMS) based on verification process. Ability to add, remove or reorganize collected documentation for verification purposes.
Minimum Qualifications

High School diploma or equivalent with four years of related experience or a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with two years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in a college/university setting. Ability to interpret federal aid regulatory language. Working knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations. Previous experience with Student Information System software. Expanded knowledge of application process and general aid programs, federal, state, and institutional. Thorough working knowledge of Banner system, including, but not limited to the Financial Aid module, Student module, and Finance module.

Work Hours

Typical hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary

Commensurate with education and experience; Clerical & Support Skill Level 7.

Benefits Information

Tennessee Tech offers a competitive benefits package. Benefits include the initial accumulation of one vacation day per month and one sick leave day per month, and thirteen (13) University holidays. Other benefits include medical and life insurance (shared cost with the university), retirement, optional 401k, and educational benefits.

Posting Details

Posting Date

05/04/2023

Deadline Date

05/25/2023

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants will be required to electronically upload a cover letter addressing how the applicant's skills and abilities meet the qualifications for the position, resume, and complete contact information for three professional references at time of application. 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.

Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume
  3. List of References
Optional Documents
  1. Transcripts
  2. Other Documents
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * How did you hear about this job opportunity?

    (Open Ended Question)
  2. * Do you have a High School diploma or equivalent with four years of related experience or a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with two years of related experience?
    • Yes
    • No