OUR MISSION

The mission of the Georgia Student Finance Commission is to promote and increase access to education beyond high school for Georgians. To achieve this mission the commission administers state and lottery-funded student financial aid programs including the HOPE Scholarship and HOPE Grant and provides college planning and other educational services to more than 2 million Georgians through GAfutures.org. The commission seeks to improve its own operations and inform policymakers and other stakeholders through analysis, interpretation and publication of information using the extensive data collected in support of its programs.

WE OFFER

We offer excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays, 3 weeks annual + 3 weeks sick leave per year, health/life/disability benefits after 30 days, employer 401k match, medical/childcare spending account options, and deferred compensation plan. Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. We also offer employee recognition and a great place to work! Our office is conveniently located in Tucker only 2 minutes from I-285.

Description:

GSFC’s Program Administration Division is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Scholarship and Grant Funds Specialist. This position is located at GSFC’s Tucker, GA Office with an option for a hybrid work schedule.

With moderate supervision, and with extensive knowledge, the position is responsible to perform high level specialized tasks to support the scholarship, grant, and loan programs within the agency. This position must be able to work independently to assist institutions with invoicing, awarding, disbursements, term reconciliation, and year-end reconciliation. This involves verifying thoroughness and accuracy of information through email and phone communication with internal and external partners. Fund Specialists are required to be highly knowledgeable of regulatory compliance pertaining to the unit of responsibility. Perform quality control review processes pertaining to scholarship and grant funds within the agency. Acts as the subject matter expert for area of responsibility.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain an extensive knowledge of the state and lottery funded scholarship and grant program regulations, policies, procedures, and systems.
• Coordinates the activity and processing of applications, invoices, and disbursements, including reviewing applications and determining eligibility.
• Responsible for one or more specific programs or share responsibility for some or all programs.
• Uses critical thinking abilities and knowledge of system logic and edits to assist schools with routine application processing issues, system processing issues, and invoicing rejects and questions.
• Assists post-secondary institutions with program reconciliation activities.
• Assists in term reconciliation and year-end reconciliation.
• Serves as point of contact for operational inquiries related to the specific state or lottery funded scholarship and/or grant programs of responsibility.
• Regularly reviews website, program materials, and applications to ensure data is up-to-date and accurate.
• Offers initial review and determination of eligibility in relation to non-standard requests for eligibility, such as for retroactive payment.
• Assists Scholarship and Grant Contact Center staff during peak times.
• Assist Funds Specialist III or Senior Program Manager, Programs and Funds with reporting of state and lottery funded scholarship and grant programs activity.
• Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
• Consistently evaluates processes and data output and makes recommendations for enhancements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

The following standards express the background of education and experience as evidence of an applicant’s ability to qualify for this class title. Any combination of education and experience, if evaluated as equivalent, may qualify an applicant for a position within this class.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university OR three years of experience in a customer service setting communicating information OR two years of experience required at the lower-level Customer Service Representative 2 (GST121) or position equivalent.

• At least two years of directly related experience, working at or with post-secondary institutions in relation to state and/or lottery funded scholarship and/or grant programs or other related professional environment.
• Demonstrated expert proficiency on products and services supported by GSFC’s programs and their regulatory compliance guidelines.
• Proven demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment and is able to adapt to challenging situations.
• Proven ability to use critical thinking abilities and program/system knowledge to independently and constructively resolve complex and challenging problems.
• Demonstrated superior customer service skills and written and verbal communication skills.
• Prior experience reading, interpreting, understanding, applying regulations.
• Exhibits extremely high organizational and time management skills: punctuality: commitment to work schedule and team goals.
• Proven proficient with PC based applications MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• More than 2 years experience with state or lottery funded scholarship and/or grant programs.
• Proven proficiency with GSFC’s internal and external systems, including SSP, IFA, GSFAPPS, SURFER, Oracle/Scholarships & Grants.

All selected applicants may be subject to a criminal background investigation and the highest level of education indicated will be verified before final approval to begin work. Applicants have the right to challenge the contents of any criminal history record obtained for the purpose of employment with GSFC.

The Georgia Student Finance Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

Note: This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.