Financial Aid Administrator- Compliance

Covenant College; Lookout Mountain (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA seeks a Financial Aid Administrator – Compliance to ensure regulatory alignment across federal, state, and institutional programs. You will manage Banner data transmission, maintain accurate records, support audits, and oversee loan processing while collaborating with Admissions, Accounting, and Enrollment teams.

The role requires a BA or equivalent and experience with Google Workspace; a master’s degree and 2–3 years in college financial aid are

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Experience using Google Suite in a professional setting.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid requirements.
• Transmit data between Banner and DOE systems, load FAFSA data into Banner.
• Process and reconcile federal/state loans, return funds as needed.
• Assist with audits and maintain required documentation.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Financial Aid, Accounting and Enrollment teams.

Skills

Financial aid administration

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Organization & time management

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Technology & data management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Banner ERP

Google Workspace

Student information systems

Job description

Covenant College Job Description

Financial Aid Administrator- Compliance

Join a team of employees who are committed to an exciting mission to offer the world biblically grounded men and women equipped to live out extraordinary callings in ordinary places. Covenant College is a community committed to the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, and everything we do is grounded in our Reformed theology and worldview.

Covenant has a beautiful 400-acre campus that stretches atop Lookout Mountain, Georgia on the Georgia/Tennessee border, just outside of Chattanooga. The community is a hub of vibrant cultural, educational, business, high-tech and entertainment activity and is an affordable place to live or raise a family. The campus enjoys incredible vistas of the Smoky Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau with views that span across several states. The region is widely known as an outdoor recreational paradise for campers, boaters, cyclists, climbers, cavers and hikers, all this while being conveniently located within two hours of Atlanta, Nashville and Knoxville.

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Administrator - Compliance is responsible for ensuring Covenant College's financial aid operations comply with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations. This position serves as the Secondary Destination Point Administrator, manages the transmission and loading of federal aid data into Banner, and maintains accurate financial aid student records. The Financial Aid Administrator - Compliance also oversees the processing, reconciliation, and return of federal, state, and alternative student loans, supports the implementation of institutional financial aid award programs, and assists the Director of Financial Aid with audit preparation and the documentation required to demonstrate ongoing compliance.

Essential Functions

Compliance

• Assist in maintaining connections and understanding of all federal and state databases to obtain and send information, as required
• Serve as the Secondary Destination Point Administrator.
• Transmit files between Banner (Covenant's Enterprise Resource Planning/ERP software) and the Department of Education software systems.
• Load all FAFSA data into Banner.
• Assist with maintaining accurate financial aid student records according to federal and state standards.
• Balance all federal funds every 30 days.
• Assist the Director in maintaining all documentation required as proof of compliance for audits.

Institutional Financial Aid Programs

• Implement systems and processes to provide financial aid offers to all financial aid applicants in traditional and graduate programs.
• Submit professional judgments to the Department of Education
• Complete verification of student files flagged by the federal government.

Loans

• Process all federal and state loans, transmitting files according to regulations.
• Return and cancel loan funds as requested and/or required for R2T4 withdrawals.
• Check for over-awards and adjust loans, as necessary, in order to be in compliance.
• Communicate with the Accounting Office about the availability of funds for drawdown via G5 and to issue credit balance refund checks to families, as necessary.
• Load Statement of Student Accounts (SAS) reports and balance loan funds at least monthly.
• Process all Georgia Student Access Loans and other state loans requested (Vermont, Maine, etc.).
• Process all alternative loans.
• Annual setup of the new aid year in Banner.

Aid in financial aid audits

• Audit preparation is done on an annual basis and involves preparing reports, reviewing student files or awards, and providing other information, as requested by the independent audit firm or the state agency.
• Fulfill such other duties as assigned by the Director of Financial Aid.

Competencies

• Mission Alignment - Demonstrates commitment to Covenant's Christ-centered mission and Reformed identity.
• Financial Aid Administration - Demonstrates knowledge of financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, awarding processes, and compliance obligations.
• Regulatory Compliance & Accuracy - Maintains a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and institutional financial aid requirements.
• Communication - Communicates complex financial aid information clearly and effectively through written, verbal, and electronic communication channels.
• Organization & Time Management - Effectively manages multiple deadlines, student inquiries, reporting requirements, and administrative responsibilities simultaneously.
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking - Applies sound judgment in resolving student concerns, evaluating documentation, and supporting financial aid decision-making processes.
• Collaboration - Works effectively with Admissions, Financial Aid, Accounting, Enrollment Management, and other campus partners to support student success and institutional goals.
• Technology & Data Management - Demonstrates proficiency with student information systems, financial aid software, Google Workspace, and reporting tools while maintaining accurate records and documentation.

Required Experience/Education

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Experience using Google Suite in a professional setting.

Preferred Education/Experience

• Master's degree
• 2-3 years of college financial aid program experience.
• Familiarity with relevant federal and state regulations.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• An acceptance of and commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
• An understanding of the mission and purpose of Covenant College.
• Ability to assent to Covenant College's Staff Commitments and participate in the spiritual life of the campus community.

Working Conditions

This role operates primarily in a professional office environment using standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, fax machines and other job-related technology. Generally, college hours of operation for full-time staff are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Very infrequently may be required to adjust hours or stay after normal hours, as job duties or team responsibilities demand. Travel is not required for this position other than for occasional training and conferences.

Physical Work Environment

• This position is expected to be performed on campus unless otherwise directed or arranged for.
• There is a mix of standing and sitting for this particular role, but primarily stationary for most of the workday.
• Classified as light, occasional lifting or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling) up to 10 lbs.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas and conversation by means of the spoken and written word; needs to be fluent and conversant using the English language.

Position Classification

Department/Unit: Admissions & Financial Aid
Job Title: Financial Aid Administrator- Compliance
Job Status: Regular full-time (40hrs/week), FLSA Exempt
Reports to: Director of Financial Aid
Job Type: Permanent
Benefit Eligible: Yes