Black River Technical College is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Default Prevention Specialist. This is a full-time, twelve-month position.
Position Description
The Default Prevention Specialist reports to the Director of Financial Aid and works collaboratively with BRTC financial aid team as well as the Division of Student Affairs.
The Default Prevention Specialist will provide counseling, information, and support to
student and parent borrowers consistent with Federal Direct Loan requirements as well as the BRTC Loan Policy.
The Default Prevention Specialist will be responsible for administering the federal Return to Title IV Policy and related deadlines for the return of unearned student’s funds. This position will also assist with the campus work study program.
The Default Prevention Specialist will be located on the BRTC Paragould campus and will serve as the front-line primary financial aid officer on the BRTC Paragould site.
Specific Responsibilities
- Interact with outside servicers to assure accuracy of the students’ loan repayment data.
- Review student loan accounts and establishes telephone contact with student loan borrowers, endorsers, and co-signers.
- Conduct three-way calls with borrowers and lenders/servicers to resolve delinquent borrower accounts. Handle telephone, mail, and in-person inquiries regarding loan repayment and repayment options.
- Assist the lenders and servicers to find missing borrowers through internal records and references and other appropriate means. Analyze default trends by program, demographics and other criteria as requested.
- Initiate skip tracing on accounts with bad addresses or phone number when needed.
- Contact by phone, mail, and email former students who are delinquent on their loan payments to discuss repayment obligations and options.
- Assist students in understanding and successfully managing loan obligations by educating borrower on repayment and deferment options available.
- Assist the Financial Aid Office in maintaining appropriate documents for Direct Loan borrowers, according to current office procedures.
- Advise management of pertinent issues and concerns relating to loan default at BRTC.
- Perform appropriate follow-up activities to assist the borrowers, such as assistance with deferment and forbearance paperwork.
- Conduct face-to-face and phone interviews for Entrance and Exit Counseling of student borrowers who are dropping below required enrollment and/or graduating.
- Responsible each semester for evaluating official and unofficial withdrawals for TIV aid recipients and processing the calculations that determine if the school is required to return TIV funds to the Department of Education on behalf of the students. The students requiring a return of funds are then give to the Financial Aid Director for review before being submitted to the Business Office for adjustments to the student accounts.
- Must possess a work ethic that encompasses a self-motivated attitude and willingness to work independently. After-work hours may be necessary during seasonal times regarding the statuses of loans.
- Other duties may become assigned in the future as the student loan industry changes regarding delinquencies and defaults.
Minimum Qualifications
The formal education equivalent of a Baccalaureate degree is required.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business or a related field preferred.
- Financial Aid experience of 3-5 years preferred.
Other job-related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
To be considered for this position, applicants should send a cover letter, resume, copies of transcripts, State application and three references to:
BLACK RIVER TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Julie Edington, Executive Director of Human Resources
P.O. Box 468
Pocahontas, AR 72455
Telephone (870) 248-4000, Ext. 4032
BRTC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
BRTC is a Tobacc