General Statement of Job

The Scholarship and Outreach Counselor administers University scholarship programs, including Institutional, Foundation, departmental, performance-based, athletic, outside, international student, and other scholarship opportunities administered by the University. This individual works closely with students, families, coaches, campus departments, the MSSU Foundation, and other University personnel to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent administration of scholarship funds.

The position also performs Financial Aid Counselor duties, provides financial aid and scholarship guidance to prospective, new, and continuing students, and participates in outreach and educational activities on behalf of the University. In addition, this position supports federal consumer information compliance and other related Student Financial Support Services responsibilities.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties:

Serves as the primary University resource for scholarship programs, policies, eligibility requirements, application procedures, renewal requirements and award administration for prospective students, current students, families, high school counselors, coaches, campus departments and other internal and external constituents.

Administers Institutional, Foundation, departmental, performance-based, athletic, outside, international student, and other scholarship programs administered by the University.

Identifies student eligibility for Institutional and Foundation scholarships through University systems, scholarship applications, student records, and other applicable documentation. Reviews and communicates scholarship awards to prospective and continuing students and manages acceptance and processing of awards.

Coordinates Foundation scholarship application and award process, including reviewing applications for completeness and eligibility, preparing applicant information for committee review, documenting award decisions, processing approved awards, and coordinating renewals and related communication in collaboration with the MSSU Foundation.

Coordinates and supports the University Scholarship Committee including preparation of materials, interpretation of scholarship policies and criteria, documentation of decisions, and recommendations regarding scholarship selection criteria policies and procedures.

Coordinates the awarding, posting, adjustment, renewal, cancellation, and monitoring of Institutional, Foundation, departmental, performance-based, athletic, outside and other scholarships within University systems and student accounts

Works closely with Athletics staff and coaches to administer athletic scholarships, including establishment, adjustment, renewal, cancellation, and monitoring of awards. Ensures athletic scholarship information is accurately maintained in University systems and coordinates with appropriate personnel to resolve discrepancies and support compliance with applicable University, financial aid, and athletic requirements.

Coordinates departmental and performance-based scholarship awards with campus departments to ensure timely awarding, accurate records, appropriate use of funds, and adherence to established scholarship criteria and requirements.

Works closely with International Admissions to process required documentation and administer scholarships for eligible international students.

Processes third-party and outside scholarships, including receipt, review, posting, and resolution of scholarship funds, and coordinates with appropriate Student Financial Support Services personnel to ensure funds are accurately applied to student accounts.

Evaluates scholarship recipients’ academic and enrollment status each term to determine continued eligibility and renewal. Communicates eligibility decisions to affected students and provides information regarding renewal requirements, improvement expectations, reinstatement criteria, and appeal processes as appropriate.

Assists students with scholarship appeals and supporting documentation and prepares information for committee review.

Monitors scholarship disbursements and performs reconciliation activities for Institutional, Foundation, athletic, departmental, performance-based, and other scholarship programs. Identifies and resolves discrepancies and prepares scholarship-related reports for internal and external use, including year-end reporting.

Reviews scholarship policies, procedures, forms, communications and processes on an ongoing basis and recommends updates and improvements.

Maintains accurate and current scholarship information on the University websites and other student-facing resources, including information regarding University and outside scholarship opportunities.

Performs Financial Aid Counselor duties for prospective, new, and continuing students regarding federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs; application requirements; eligibility; enrollment requirements; satisfactory academic progress; deadlines; processing requirements; and other financial aid policies and procedures.

Reviews student financial aid records and documentation, assists students in resolving financial aid issues, and provides guidance regarding required forms, missing information, eligibility concerns, award adjustments, and next steps.

Counsels students and families regarding FAFSA, financial aid eligibility, cost of attendance, aid offers, grants, scholarships, loans, satisfactory academic progress, and other financial aid requirements and responsibilities. Assists students with financial aid appeals and other student-specific review as assigned, including explaining documentation requirements, timelines and available options.

Provides financial aid and scholarship guidance to students participating in Study Abroad and other programs requiring individualized financial aid review.

Plans, coordinates and participates in financial aid and scholarship outreach and educational activities, including FAFSA completion events, Lion Pride Visit Days, high school counselor outreach, recruitment activities, and presentations for prospective students and families, campus groups, and community organizations. Some evening and weekend or off-campus participation may be required.

Communicates with public and private high school personnel regarding University scholarship and financial aid opportunities, application processes, and related requirements and provides scholarship materials and presentation information as appropriate.

Supports federal consumer information compliance by assisting with the review, monitoring, and maintenance of required financial aid and scholarship disclosures and information.

Maintains complete and accurate records necessary for internal and external reporting requirements. and ensures student information and documentation are maintained appropriately within Banner, electronic document systems, and other University records.

Monitors payment of scholarship disbursements and manages reconciliation activities for Institutional and Foundation scholarships. Provides scholarship reports for internal or external entities and year-end reporting.

Assists or develops and reviews scholarship and financial aid communications, forms, publications, presentations and web content to ensure information is accurate, current, and understandable.

Contributes to the development and implementation of Student Financial Support Services policies, procedures and service practices.

Cross-trains in other Student Financial Support Services functions and performs Financial Aid Counselor and other office duties as need to support students and office operations.

Works collaboratively with other University departments to ensure timely, accurate, and coordinated delivery of student financial services.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Licenses

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university is required.

One or two years related experience and/or training preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.

Demonstrated knowledge of financial aid preferred. Experience in handling multiple tasks and customer service orientation with a commitment to higher education and working with students is a plus. Willingness to travel occasionally for presentations, meetings, and training workshops, as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team environment.
• Ability to use highly technical computer applications, such as Banner, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), and other web-based applications to perform office duties.
• Ability to maintain highest level of confidentiality in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear including the use of the telephone. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel including the use of a computer keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTICE: The above job profile does not include all essential and nonessential duties of this job. All employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact Human Resources to review and discuss the essential and nonessential functions of the job. An employee with a disability can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if she/he can safely perform the essential function of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.