Description

Position leads comprehensive management and analyses to ensure scholarships are accessible, available, compliant, and well-managed. Evaluates and analyzes information and data for trends and projections, and prepares reports, to support effective and sustainable scholarship programs. Designs, implements, and refines monitoring mechanisms that support effective scholarship administration and student services, including development and delivery of training and policies. Ensures compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, and policies (federal, state, institutional, and external). Remains current regarding regulations, policies, and procedures affecting scholarships and financial aid, and conducts work fairly, equitably, and inclusively. Position can be fully remote from most domestic locations.

Requirements

Responsibilities:

ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT, AND ANALYSIS
Designs, implements, and refines mechanisms to calculate accurate scholarship eligibility amounts in a timely and compliant manner; includes mechanisms to track cohort participation and ensure renewal eligibility
Serves as key campus partner and colleague in the comprehensive development and administration of institutional scholarships
Completes multiple complex analyses and develops reports used to monitor and assure service and processing benchmarks, as well as accuracy of eligibility and payments; includes assessments of expenditures and projections, as well as outcomes
Helps ensure timely, accurate, and complete information is available and disseminated to students, parents, and colleagues
Determines eligibility for scholarships and financial aid and determines types and amounts to be awarded in accordance with established federal and university standards and guidelines.
Professionally addresses and works toward resolution of complex or novel situations encountered
Actively aids in the office’s professional delivery of services, including maintenance of data/information security, privacy, and confidentiality
Completes multiple complex analyses and develops reports used to monitor and assure service and processing benchmarks, as well as accuracy of eligibility and payments; includes
Serves as subject matter expert and is proactive in advancing processing, service, and eligibility monitoring
 

COMMUNICATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY
Effectively determines and conveys student and program eligibility requirements, particularly pertaining to resolving student/parent inquiries for assistance; ensures appropriate level of investigation to aid in thorough, accurate, and timely responses
Helps ensure policies and procedures (including rights and responsibilities) are communicated to students, families, and colleagues in an accurate, timely, effective, thorough, equitable, and inclusive manner
Uses appropriate discretion, within regulatory and policy constraints, in eligibility guidelines, administration, and communications, including application of policies/requirements in an accurate, consistent, fair, and equitable manner
Assists with development of office-wide policies and procedures and calendars, including ensuring content is current and accurate, and that emerging trends or anomalies are noted appropriately
Monitors and adjusts, as appropriate, student financial aid awards to ensure timeliness and accuracy

REGULATORY AND POLICY ADHERENCE
Maintains access to and a working knowledge of relevant internal and external systems
Ensures clear and accurate documentation of transactions, conversations, and interactions affecting student eligibility and/or compliance with applicable policies
Adheres to all statutory, regulatory, and policy guidance, including office policies and procedures
Follows appropriate records management procedures and complies with record keeping and archival requirements
Maintains privacy and confidentiality of student and family data and information
Maintains security of student records and related information
Actively participates in and contributes to overall office effectiveness

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT; PROFESSIONALISM
Identifies, develops, and ensures delivery of training that supports effective and compliant scholarship administration campus wide
Maintains current knowledge of policies, rules, regulations, technical standards, and high-impact practices associated with administering and delivering federal, state, institutional, and private programs, and associated systems and emerging technologies
Actively participates in professional meetings, conferences, and workshops; meets and communicates clearly with colleagues in similar positions/roles; researches industry practices; shares resulting knowledge and research with management and staff in order to serve well the students and the institution
Ensures area policies and procedures are current and accurate; Provides clear and accurate documentation of transactions, conversations, interactions, and edits to records affecting student eligibility and/or compliance with applicable regulations, statutes, and/or policies
Assists with financial aid outreach events, delivering information and responding to event questions accurately, timely, completely, and professionally
Maintains professional appearance and demeanor, including when engaging students, families, colleagues, and members of the public
Assists in training new employees (permanent and temporary, including interns and graduate assistants), as needed

OVERALL SUPPORT OF OFFICE AND INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONS
Partners in monitoring and assurance that overall office operations are functional, accessible, efficient, compliant, and free of conflicts of interest
Routinely and thoroughly reviews output and reports for accuracy and compliance
Follows established timelines/calendars for projects/tasks
As needed, serves on and/or oversees various office committees, which may include such functions as communications plan, appeals processes, outreach, personnel, forms and publications, etc.; position may also be asked to serve on Enrollment Management and/or University committees
Advises management of anomalies, trends, or patterns affecting student and program eligibility
Maintains effective working relationships and serves as a resource regarding scholarship and financial aid issues, policies, and procedures
Maintains access to relevant systems affecting job responsibilities
Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Executive Director
Collaborates with other employees on office committees regarding policy, procedures, and training opportunities

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Qualifications:

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related area of assignment or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). Four years of progressively more responsible management experience. Background knowledge of assigned department’s area of specialization in order to analyze, plan and draw conclusions for recommendations to superiors. Demonstrated leadership skills in planning and directing employees and processes in order to effectively monitor and develop subordinates and to ensure the smooth operation of department.

Master’s degree in a related area may be preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences: 

Strongly prefer previous experience directing the administration of scholarship programs. Master’s degree in a related area preferred.