Georgia Highlands College is a multi-campus, state college member of the University System of Georgia. Founded in 1970 as Floyd Junior College, it now serves more than 6,000 students in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama across its five locations in Rome, Cartersville, Marietta, and Dallas. GHC currently offers over 30 areas of study with associate degree and bachelor’s degree options both in the classroom and online.

We are a growing and progressive institution with opportunities for great employees to grow in a fast-paced and challenging work environment that encourages employee wellness and overall success. Our combined efforts at GHC have led to numerous awards, honors, and countless stories of success for students and employees. This includes our most recent honor of being recognized as one of the semifinalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

This position assists the Director of Financial Aid to service the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid in support of the GHC mission promoting access to financial resources for all students.

This position works to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations to support accurate, timely aid processing and fund disbursement.

Is responsible to understand, support, and carry out the college¿s mission, vision, and values and comply with mandates and regulations of government and accrediting bodies.

Federal Work Study

• Oversee the College¿s Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program, including coordination with Payroll, adherence to policies, and monitoring of student employment records.

Awards/Scholarships

• Provides financial aid services to students and families including packaging, eligibility issues, counseling, problem resolution, and financial planning.
• Assists with administration of institution financial aid to include scholarship awards (GHC Foundation, Athletics etc.)
• Determines annual departmental allocations of Federal Work Study funds; student application process to departments requesting student workers; prepares required documentation; and determines student eligibility.

Student Recruitment

• Work with campus partners for recruitment, job posting and hiring of FWS students

Daily Operations

• Supervise the Financial Aid Processing Team, overseeing all aspects of financial aid processing: need analysis, verification, awarding, loan origination, disbursement eligibility, SAP, transfer monitoring, and over-awards
• Attends campus committee meetings as needed to advocate for student financial needs.
• Prepares Veterans College Financing Plan (Shopping Sheet)

Disbursement, Appeals and Title IV

• Assists with daily operations including determining student satisfactory academic progress (SAP), notifying students, processing SAP Appeals, awarding aid, and managing disbursements.
• Accepts Special Circumstance Appeal packets; reviews and determines financial aid eligibility,
• Calculates and processes the Return of Title IV funds upon student withdrawal.
• Collaborates with Admissions and Student Financial Services to ensure seamless financial aid disbursement and billing processes.

Outreach/Presentations

• Participates in outreach events to educate students about financial aid opportunities
• Financial Aid Presentations as needed to internal and external groups

Reporting Requirements and Audits

• Assist Director with Financial Aid Reporting requirements (FISAP, FADC, IPEDS, FTV/GE etc.)
• Apply knowledge of Title IV, State, and Institutional Programs to ensure compliance with audit requirements.

Performs other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a baccalaureate degree in a course of study related to the occupational field
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state regulations governing financial aid.
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives and functions of the subunits in the division/department in order to direct and coordinate work within the division/department, usually interpreted to require three to five years of related experience
• Bachelor¿s degree and at least three years of financial aid experience
• Two (2) years Ellucian Banner systems processing experience
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver¿s license for the type of vehicle or equipment operated

• Three (3) to five (5) years functional or technical experience with the Ellucian Banner Financial Aid module.
• Basic to intermediate SQL programming knowledge and experience creating Ellucian Banner simple to complex population selections.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience in a higher education setting.
• Scholarship Management experience.
• Experience managing a Federal Work Study program
• Through understanding of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Commensurate with experience

• Knowledge of federal, state and institutional policies and procedures related to student financial aid
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles
• Knowledge of program eligibility requirements
• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs
• Skill in the supervision of personnel
• Skill in the analysis of problems and the development and implementation of solutions
• Skill in oral and written communication

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.