Hiring Salary Range: $52,759 - $65,952
Institution: Walters State Community College - Morristown Campus (Employees are assigned to a “home” location but may occasionally or regularly be required to work at other WSCC locations.)
Job Purpose: The Financial Aid Coordinator of State Programs is responsible for administering and overseeing assigned Tennessee state financial aid programs and related funding sources in accordance with federal, state, institutional, and sponsoring agency regulations. The position ensures accurate determination of student eligibility, awarding, reconciliation, reporting, and compliance for assigned programs while providing operational support for the Financial Aid Office. The coordinator serves as a subject-matter expert on state financial aid programs, collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, assists with quality assurance and reporting initiatives, and provides departmental leadership in the absence of the Director and Assistant Director of Financial Aid.
Essential Job Functions:
- Administers and coordinates assigned Tennessee state financial aid programs, including the Tennessee Reconnect Grant, Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant, Middle College Grant, Helping Heroes Grant, Foster Child Grant, McWherter Scholarship (as applicable), AmeriCorps Education Awards, Vocational Rehabilitation funding, and other designated state and agency programs. Determines student eligibility, processes award, monitors continuing eligibility, performs required reconciliations, resolves discrepancies, maintains accurate records in all college-applicable systems, and ensures compliance with all federal, state, institutional, and sponsoring agency regulations.
- Coordinates the administration of institutional Dual Enrollment scholarship programs in collaboration with High School Programs and the Walters State Foundation by reviewing eligibility requirements, processing scholarship awards, reconciling funding, and ensuring timely and accurate disbursement of institutional and foundation scholarship funds.
- Monitors assigned financial aid programs through regular reconciliation, quality assurance reviews, and compliance monitoring to ensure the accuracy and integrity of student awards. Researches and resolves discrepancies, prepares required reports, assists with audit activities, and recommends procedural improvements that enhance operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
- Provides guidance and assistance to students, parents, high school representatives, and campus personnel regarding financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and award status. Communicates effectively through written correspondence, email, telephone, and in-person interactions while maintaining confidentiality and delivering exceptional customer service.
- Processes appeals and exceptions related to assigned financial aid programs, serves on the Institutional Review Panel and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeals Committee as assigned, and ensures timely review and documentation of appeal decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Assists with the implementation, interpretation, and continuous improvement of financial aid policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, institutional, and agency regulations. Supports annual reporting requirements, quality control initiatives, scholarship processing, and other operational activities that contribute to the effectiveness of the Financial Aid Office.
- Serves as a cross-trained resource within the Financial Aid Office by providing backup support for other Financial Aid Coordinators and frontline operations as needed. May provide guidance and work direction to student employees and assumes operational responsibilities during the absence of the Director and Assistant Director of Financial Aid to ensure continuity of departmental operations.
- Assisting with the implementation of and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies and procedures. Assisting with the development of institutional procedures to ensure efficient processing.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
- Two (2) to four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, student services, accounting, or a related administrative environment.
- Experience interpreting policies, regulations, or financial information.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and customer service skills.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and enterprise business software.
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Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience using higher education student information systems or comparable enterprise operating systems.
Knowledge of Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) programs and financial aid regulations.
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Behavioral Core Competencies:
- Works effectively as a team member to achieve goals and objectives.
- Shares information readily with others and listens effectively, showing openness to new ideas
- Displays a high degree of personal effectiveness; pursues objectives with consistent determination. Willing and prepared to accept personal responsibility for actions, both positive and negative.
- Treats team members with respect. Willingly responds to requests for assistance from team members.
- Respects the College’s rich heritage and historical achievements by embracing important changes that advance the College’s mission while honoring the past.
Exercises discretion and forethought in the efficient utilization of organizational resources, showing respect for the organization’s generous benefactors and supporters.
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Leadership & Supervisory: May provide work direction and training to student employees. Exercises independent judgment in the administration of assigned financial aid programs while working within established federal, state, institutional, and agency guidelines. Collaborates closely with departmental leadership to ensure operational effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
Environment & Working Conditions: Working conditions in the office are clean and well-lit, with limited interruptions and a moderate but constant noise level.
Physical Demands (including requirements for travel or working nights/weekends/holidays):
- Sits at the computer for an extended period of time, utilizing three different monitors and several different software applications, creating the possibility of neck, back, and eye strain.
- Moves about the office to retrieve documents from the printer, taking documents to the mail room, etc.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of this job.
REQ#504658
Posting Closes: Monday, August 17, 2026
