NCAA Financial Aid & Scholarship Counselor - Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships - UTK

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications and nominations for our NCAA Financial Aid & Scholarship Counselor position. We are seeking candidates who can contribute in meaningful ways to enhance the accessibility of higher education, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment, and improving the recruitment and graduation of our students. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been ranked by Forbes as one of America’s best large employers, as recognized on the 2025 list.

The target starting salary for this position is $43,888, depending on experience and qualifications.

This is an on-campus position with some hybrid/remote work schedule flexibility.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Operations & Compliance, the NCAA Financial Aid & Scholarship Counselor provides specialized financial aid counseling and oversight for student-athletes, ensuring compliance with NCAA, SEC, federal, state, and institutional regulations. This position is responsible for awarding, managing, auditing, and reconciling all forms of student-athlete aid—including athletic scholarships, stipends, external awards, and Student-Athlete Opportunity Funds—while serving as a key liaison between the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships and the Athletics Department. The Counselor plays a critical role in supporting student-athletes’ financial wellness, academic progress, and overall retention.

Required Education and Experience:

Associate’s degree or 2 years of financial aid training and experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and communication skills.

• Ability to write clear, concise letters using effectual writing skills.

• Sensitive to cultural diversity and ability to communicate and interact with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds.

• Proven ability to work effectively as a team member.

• Ability to analyze and interpret data and make independent decisions.

• Ability to work independently, under time constraints, and prioritize projects.

• Ability to maintain a high level of discretion.

• Ability to interpret complex policies and regulations.

• Knowledge of MS Office products or similar.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

Preferred Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree

• Two to four years progressively responsible financial aid or tax experience and Ellucian Banner experience preferred. -Master’s degree in Higher Education, Business, Sports Administration, or related field.

• Experience using student information systems (e.g., Banner) and NCAA compliance software.

• Familiarity with financial literacy programs, workshops, or coaching.

• Experience preparing compliance reports and conducting internal audits or quality control reviews.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal, state, NCAA/SEC, and institutional financial aid regulations.

• Knowledge of governmental agency guidelines including but not limited to the IRS, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration and INS to analyze applications and data sent to the university from prospective and current students.

• Experience in financial aid, NCAA/SEC compliance, or student services.

• Experience advising student-athletes or working with NCAA compliance.

Benefits:

University of Tennessee employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes:

• Generous paid leave, accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days

• Flexible work arrangements, offering a hybrid schedule to most team members

• Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses

• Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k), 403(b), etc.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans

• Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods

The Division

The Enrollment Management (EM) division comprises more than 190 full-time staff who serve our students through the following departments and functions: Undergraduate Admissions, International Recruitment, Transfer Center, One Stop Student Services, Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Center for Financial Wellness, University Registrar, Pre-college Research Excellence Programs, EM Research & Analytics, EM Communications, and EM Operations. The Division of Enrollment Management is committed to our Vision, Mission and Values. We are passionate about fulfilling our land-grant mission of accessible education and making an impact that will transform lives through the student experience.

The Knoxville Community: Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville has a metropolitan statistical area population of more than 850,000 people. We enjoy a dynamic culture that includes numerous theaters and museums, a vibrant and diverse music scene including a symphony orchestra and an opera company, world-class restaurants, numerous cultural festivals and an active downtown market square. Surrounded by lakes and the Tennessee River, the Knoxville area boasts wonderful year-round water activities, including boating, fishing, and swimming that make for scenic and breathtaking views of the area. Knoxville is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains, and a day’s drive to Memphis, Chicago and Washington D.C.

For full consideration, applicants should submit a cover letter detailing relevant experience along with a resume and the name, e-mail address, and telephone number of three to five professional references. References will not be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!