What are the responsibilities and job description for the Collections Specialist position at Ferris State University?
Job no: 497826
Work type: Staff
Location: Big Rapids, MI 49307
Categories: Administrative, Staff
Work type: Staff
Location: Big Rapids, MI 49307
Categories: Administrative, Staff
Position Title:
Collections Specialist
Location:
Big Rapids (Main Campus)
Department:
56000 - Finance Office Admin
Advertised Salary:
$56,000- $59,000
Benefits:
Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.).
Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans
FLSA:
Exempt
Temporary/Continuing:
Continuing
Part-Time/Full-Time:
Full-Time
Union Group:
N/A
Term of Position:
12 Month
At Will/Just Cause:
Just Cause
Summary of Position:
This position is responsible, as part of the team, for leading and administering Student Financial Services collections activities; maintaining student loan documentation; processing and collecting past-due accounts receivable and federal/institutional student loans; and maintaining the University’s rate tables. The selected candidate for this position must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire without employer assistance or sponsorship now or in the future.
Position Type:
Staff
Required Education:
Bachelor’s degree in business or related field, from an accredited college or university.
Required Work Experience:
Three years’ work experience in a complex office setting that includes a variety of functions such as financial aid, internal controls, accounting, collection and accounts receivable and/or loan processing which included a demonstrated success with customer service.
Strong computer skills that includes Microsoft Office Excel and Word.
Strong computer skills that includes Microsoft Office Excel and Word.
Required Licenses and Certifications:
Physical Demands:
- Office Environment
Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered:
Collections experience.
Experience with Banner.
Experience with Banner.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Assist in developing policies and procedures related to collections.
Collect past due accounts receivable and federal loans.
Coordinate federal loan deferments, repayment agreements, and skip tracing.
Maintain documents and contact logs for assigning Federal Loans.
Write correspondence to the outside loan-billing agency.
Oversee payments on all in-house collection accounts.
Work with external collection agencies on past due accounts.
Assist with withdrawal charges and ensure refunds are processed correctly.
Process financial appeals.
Advise current and former students about past-due account balances, payment options, and the consequences of nonpayment.
Assist current students in understanding semester charges and in recording payments.
Review federal regulations and apply changes to collection processes and procedures.
Oversee bankruptcy claims and files.
Clarify general inquiries about account balances.
Analyze reports as necessary.
Back-up Student Financial Services manager
Update and maintain the collections software.
Reports directly to the Director of Student Financial Services.
Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of designated information.
Performs all duties in compliance with applicable University policies and procedures and state and federal requirements.
Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
Collect past due accounts receivable and federal loans.
Coordinate federal loan deferments, repayment agreements, and skip tracing.
Maintain documents and contact logs for assigning Federal Loans.
Write correspondence to the outside loan-billing agency.
Oversee payments on all in-house collection accounts.
Work with external collection agencies on past due accounts.
Assist with withdrawal charges and ensure refunds are processed correctly.
Process financial appeals.
Advise current and former students about past-due account balances, payment options, and the consequences of nonpayment.
Assist current students in understanding semester charges and in recording payments.
Review federal regulations and apply changes to collection processes and procedures.
Oversee bankruptcy claims and files.
Clarify general inquiries about account balances.
Analyze reports as necessary.
Back-up Student Financial Services manager
Update and maintain the collections software.
Reports directly to the Director of Student Financial Services.
Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of designated information.
Performs all duties in compliance with applicable University policies and procedures and state and federal requirements.
Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
Marginal Duties/Responsibilities:
Skills and Abilities:
Communicate effectively.
Demonstrate success with customer service.
Work with a variety of people under adverse conditions.
Make sound decisions under time constraints and pressure.
Accurately perform mathematical calculations.
Provide accurate information when advising students.
Operate a computer and use word processing and spreadsheet software.
Supervise and train employees in their characteristic duties.
Demonstrate success with customer service.
Work with a variety of people under adverse conditions.
Make sound decisions under time constraints and pressure.
Accurately perform mathematical calculations.
Provide accurate information when advising students.
Operate a computer and use word processing and spreadsheet software.
Supervise and train employees in their characteristic duties.
Required Documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcript 1
Optional Documents:
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Initial Application Review Date:
June 15, 2026
Open Until Position is Filled?:
Yes
Posting Close Date:
EEO Statement:
Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.
Advertised: 29 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
Salary : $56,000 - $59,000