Student Support Specialist

Location: Downtown Chicago
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $40,000–$50,000 per year

About the Role

A growing education organization is seeking a Student Support Specialist to help enroll, support, and retain adult students as they work toward completing their college degrees.

This position is ideal for someone who is passionate about student success and enjoys building relationships, solving problems, and helping students overcome barriers that might prevent them from completing their education.

The Student Support Specialist works with multiple nonprofit university partners and maintains considerable contact with non-traditional adult students by phone, text, and email.

This role combines student advising, retention management, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver a high-quality student experience throughout the student lifecycle.

What You'll Do

• Support admissions representatives and students throughout the enrollment and degree-completion process
• Provide ongoing outreach and support to adult students via phone, text, and email
• Register students based on their academic progress and degree-program requirements
• Utilize multiple university-specific CRM systems to facilitate enrollment, course selection, and course registration
• Help students navigate university processes and overcome barriers to continued enrollment
• Collaborate with university departments, including admissions, financial aid, and academic advising
• Connect students with appropriate university resources when additional assistance is needed
• Monitor student progress and identify students who may be at risk of stopping out
• Advise at-risk students regarding financial aid documentation, time management, tutoring resources, and other circumstances that may impact persistence
• Monitor transcript orders and coordinate transfer-credit reviews
• Collect and analyze GPA, retention, and student-progress data
• Review retention data to identify trends and issues that may impact student success
• Maintain knowledge of academic programs, policies, procedures, and student-support resources
• Stay current on federal financial aid updates and policy changes, including FAFSA
• Assist with training staff on FERPA and financial aid topics

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree required
• 1–3 years of experience in higher education
• Academic advising experience is a plus
• Strong student-centered mindset
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with students both verbally and in writing
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Comfortable working with data, reporting, and multiple technology systems
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and student needs
• Self-motivated and able to work independently
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a growing, high-energy environment
• Entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to take ownership of student outcomes

Compensation & Benefits

• $40,000–$50,000 annual salary
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off

Location & Schedule

This is a full-time position based in Chicago's Loop .

There is no expected travel.

We're looking for someone who believes that getting a student enrolled is only the beginning. The right person will be committed to supporting adult learners, removing obstacles, and helping students stay on track all the way through degree completion.