We have an opening for an Information Processing Specialist (Financial Aid) at our Chattanooga State campus!

Our Purpose - We support and empower everyone in our community to learn without limits.

Our Values: 

We cultivate a welcome and supportive environment.

We care about the well-being of each other.

We instill trust through integrity and transparency.

We encourage fearless innovation and resilience.

We collaborate to build a better future.

Our Mission - We are Chattanooga State, a dedicated team that delivers accessible, innovative learning opportunities that surpass expectations.  Together, we enrich the lives of students, and their families; develop a talented workforce; and partner with our community to lead boldly into the future.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Information Processing Specialist position is the primary point of contact for students submitting documentation to the Office of Financial Aid including documentation for appeals, verification, and Vocational Rehabilitation (VOC Rehab), Housing Authority and Workforce Investment and Opportunities Act (WIOA). The Information Processing Specialist is responsible for the review of daily documents being received, citizenship status, and unusual enrollment verification. The Information Processing Specialist serves as the liaison with state agencies (THEC/TSAC) and utilizes the FAST student information system for entering Cost of Attendance and award information for Voc Rehab payments. The Information Processing Specialist processes Return to Title IV for both the credit and TCAT students. In addition, the role maintains extensive knowledge of federal and state eligibility, and college financial aid requirements, policies, and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Holistic Student Support

• Serve as primary liaison between students submitting documents, staff and faculty on campus receiving documents, other institutions and students with consortium agreements, and Office of Financial Aid
• Daily monitoring of documents received and indexed to BDM with timely responses to and communications with students and parents (within FERPA guidelines)
• Builds positive working relationships with colleagues in other Chatt State offices and the students.
• Advise students and families and answer questions related to aid eligibility requirements, missing or incomplete documentation, and aid status for all types of students as part of the Financial Aid Office’s customer service rotation.

Fiscal Stewardship

• Ensure accurate reporting of Voc Rehab, Housing Authority, and WIOA
• Ensure accurate indexing of documentation to students’ files
• Ensure accurate processing of Return to Title IV
• Adheres to consistent, accurate policies, procedures, and processes for documentation and eligibility in accordance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
• Develops and adheres to consistent, transparent business practices, both within the Financial Aid Office and in collaboration with outside offices.

Organizational Culture

• Collaborate with Office of Financial Aid for consistent messaging to students
• Establishes clear communication channels with students, faculty, staff, and outside agencies
• Coordinate with other Financial Aid staff to maintain constant coverage of escalations and emails from other offices on campus
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and respectful team culture focused on shared goals, continuous improvement, and high-quality student service.
• Engage in ongoing professional development

Program Innovation

• Provide input regarding compliance and processing
• Develop innovative approaches to ensure ongoing compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Evaluate changes in financial aid regulations and adjust internal processes to maintain compliance while optimizing operational efficiency.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND WORK CHARACTERISTICS

• Effective time management and prioritization of job demands
• Attention to detail and understanding of data analysis, mathematical & financial computations, and identifying/resolving data discrepancies
• Ability to work collaboratively and establish positive, productive working relationships
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Demonstrates continuous learning and improvement in knowledge of and compliance with state regulations, technical processes, and professional development
• Works independently, with minimal supervision, meets goals and deadlines, is self-directed and seeks innovative ways to perform job responsibilities efficiently and effectively
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess at least an associate’s degree; Bachelor’s preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and other commonly used office applications
• Prefer experience working with a student information system, such as Ellucian Banner and Banner Document Management System.
• Experience working in a finance, customer service, or educational setting, preferably at a postsecondary institution
• Comfortable working in a stressful, fast-paced environment with a high level of sensitivity towards confidentiality and working with a diverse student population
• Demonstrated skills in basic accounting and clerical functions

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

Work is typically performed in an office environment. While performing the duties of this position, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone, use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this position, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve non-routine and complex office administrative problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks.

Salary Range: $44,670 - $52,487

* Application review will begin at least 7 days after posting*