Terry Finney is new director, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Dec. 3, 2008 -- Arkansas State University-Jonesboro announces the appointment of Terry Finney as director of ASU’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, ASU officials announced Tuesday, Dec. 2. Finney will work as part of the Enrollment Services unit within the division of Student Affairs. Dr. William R.  Stripling, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, said, “Terry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in financial aid management to ASU-Jonesboro.  We consider him a valuable resource and are very pleased to have him as a member of the Student Affairs administrative team.”

Dr. Lonnie R. Williams, associate vice chancellor of Student Affairs, said, "From my prior work experience with Mr. Finney as a colleague, I have witnessed his high level of professionalism, vision, ability to problem-solve within an office, and elevate productivity within a financial aid office. I don't think we could have picked a better replacement to continue taking our financial aid office in a positive direction."

Finney’s duties as director will include providing direct supervision and leadership to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships; administering the $90 million financial aid budget; maintaining and ensuring compliance with all regulations governing federal aid and state student aid programs; performing research and developing proposals for the vice chancellor of Student Affairs on scholarship issues; advising the vice chancellor of Student Affairs on financial aid and scholarship issues that affect enrollment; serving on state-wide committees dealing with accessibility of need-based  and scholarship aid; and serving as the direct liaison with the U. S. Department of Education for federal financial aid issues.

Prior to his appointment at ASU, Finney was the regional account manager with the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA). He was responsible for marketing and promoting MOHELA lenders to colleges and universities in a three-region area and providing information on customer service and products. He also served as a direct contact for schools and lenders. Prior to being regional account manager, Finney was an account executive specializing in business development for MOHELA. Finney was director of financial aid at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, and was associate director of financial aid at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. He also worked as the director of financial aid and as associate dean of students at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn.

Finney graduated in 1973 from Paragould High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1978 and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Arkansas State University in 1981. Finney began his career at Arkansas State University as the residence hall manager for Danner Hall, and after two years, moved to Lyon College as the director of residence life. Finney has more than 22 years of Financial Aid experience and has been very active with the Arkansas Association of Financial Aid Administrators, serving as president in 1998 as well as serving on the executive council and numerous committees. He has also been active with the Southwest Association of Financial Aid Administrators, serving on the Executive Council as well as on regional committees for the organization.           

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