Financial Aid Systems Analyst - Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships - UTK

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications and nominations for our Financial Aid Systems Analyst position. We are seeking candidates who can contribute in meaningful ways to enhance the accessibility of higher education, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment, and improving the recruitment and graduation of our students. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been ranked by Forbes as one of America’s best large employers, as recognized on the 2025 list

The target starting salary for this position is $59,000 - $64,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

This is an on-campus position with some hybrid/remote work schedule flexibility.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid Systems, the Financial Aid Systems Analyst is a critical technical and analytical expert within the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, supporting the University’s mission to recruit, retain, and graduate students efficiently and equitably. This position manages and enhances financial aid systems and processes to ensure accurate, compliant, and student-centered service delivery.

The Analyst is responsible for designing, developing, programming, configuring, and maintaining Ellucian Banner Financial Aid modules and integrated third-party systems, including OnBase, Dynamic Forms, Scholarship Manager, and JobX/TimesheetX or similar software and systems. The role requires advanced SQL programming, algorithm development for awarding, data validation, and analysis to support operational excellence and strategic enrollment management initiatives. This position serves as a liaison with technical teams and vendors, ensuring seamless integration, compliance, and continuous process improvement to optimize the student experience.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of experience in a technical systems support, data analysis, or financial aid systems role within higher education; OR

Associate degree and 4 years or more of direct experience in financial aid systems, SQL programming, or higher education technology.

• Extensive experience with word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software

• Experience with understanding and organizing data

• Experience with documenting processes and procedures

• Experience developing solutions and efficiencies in processes

• Experience with Ellucian Banner Financial Aid

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience with PL/SQL, ODS Oracle, Web Tailor, and file transfer programs (FTP).

• Computer programming and/or PL/SQL or other procedural language experience preferred

• Experience with higher education policies and procedures preferred

• Familiarity with the curricular approval process preferred

• Familiarity with student information systems preferred

• Advanced level of Excel knowledge

• Experience with Oracle Financial Aid, OnBase, Dynamic Forms, Scholarship Manager, and related financial aid data systems (CPS, COD, NSLDS, SAIG).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-faceted profession

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills

• Ability to manage time and responsibilities independently

• Superior analytical and problem-solving skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Acute detail- and task-orientation skills

• Ability to accurately document technical processes

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment and with a wide variety of populations

• Ability and desire to research the history of context of issues for complete resolution

• Ability to discern how discrete processes are interrelated

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of computer systems documentation and forms design

• Knowledge of federal and state regulations governing financial aid programs is beneficial

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of enterprise reporting tools such as Argos or Tableau.

• Training or coursework in computer programming or procedural languages.

• Knowledge, experience, or training in federal financial aid regulations is beneficial.

• Ability to query data from databases.

• Knowledge, experience, or training in federal financial aid regulations is beneficial.

• Knowledge of complex relational database organization.

Benefits:

University of Tennessee employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes:

• Generous paid leave, accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days

• Flexible work arrangements, offering a hybrid schedule to most team members

• Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses

• Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k), 403(b), etc.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans

• Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods

The Division

The Enrollment Management (EM) division comprises more than 190 full-time staff who serve our students through the following departments and functions: Undergraduate Admissions, International Recruitment, Transfer Center, One Stop Student Services, Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Center for Financial Wellness, University Registrar, Pre-college Research Excellence Programs, EM Research & Analytics, EM Communications, and EM Operations. The Division of Enrollment Management is committed to our Vision, Mission and Values. We are passionate about fulfilling our land-grant mission of accessible education and making an impact that will transform lives through the student experience.

The Knoxville Community: Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville has a metropolitan statistical area population of more than 850,000 people. We enjoy a dynamic culture that includes numerous theaters and museums, a vibrant and diverse music scene including a symphony orchestra and an opera company, world-class restaurants, numerous cultural festivals and an active downtown market square. Surrounded by lakes and the Tennessee River, the Knoxville area boasts wonderful year-round water activities, including boating, fishing, and swimming that make for scenic and breathtaking views of the area. Knoxville is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains, and a day’s drive to Memphis, Chicago and Washington D.C.

For full consideration, applicants should submit a cover letter detailing relevant experience along with a resume and the name, e-mail address, and telephone number of three to five professional references. References will not be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!