POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director of Scholarships
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1195
GRADE 44
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Vice President for Student Affairs
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director of Scholarships ensures the development and successful implementation of a scholarship program that supports the enrollment management objectives of the University by working with deans and department heads, various administrative departments and committees to optimize the enrollment and net revenue impact of institutional and foundation scholarships. The Director serves as an ex-officio member of the Scholarship Committee and provides analysis and recommendations to the committee for consideration in the development of scholarship programs. The Director coordinates with the Office of Admissions, the Office of Student Financial Aid, and other offices and departments to ensure effective promulgation of the scholarship program as part of the overall student recruitment effort. The Director uses a knowledge and understanding of University scholarship policy and state and federal financial aid regulations to ensure that scholarship award notifications to students are compliant with said policies and regulations. The Director coordinates with the Office of Development to ensure effective utilization of privately-funded scholarships and to support that office in its efforts to raise private funds. The Director coordinates with other offices to organize and administer special events associated with the administration of the scholarship program and arranges for University officials to represent the institution at events where scholarship awards are presented. The Director develops annual scholarship budget projections in coordination with the Financial Services Office and is responsible for tracking scholarship expenditures.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: Five years of experience in a college or university student financial aid, admissions, or scholarship office is required. Substantial experience in scholarship administration is preferred. Experience with the Banner student information system is preferred.
Skills: Mastery-level knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations regarding scholarships and student financial aid is required; mastery-level knowledge of University policies related to scholarships and student financial aid is preferred. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to make effective presentations before large groups of students and parents are required. The ability to collect and analyze data, converting it to information that can be communicated to other University personnel is required. The ability to relate effectively to students, parents, staff, faculty, and administrators is required. Strong organizational and management skills are required. The ability to use office application software, preferably Microsoft Office products, is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Contributes to the development of an effective scholarship program by serving as an ex-officio member of the Scholarship Committee and presenting data, analysis, and recommendations to that committee.
2. Optimizes the use of scholarships to increase net revenue to the University by working with the Office of Institutional Research in the development of net revenue calculations applicable to designated groups of students.
3. Ensures effective promotion of the University’s scholarship program to students, parents, high school counselors, and others by coordinating with the Office of Admissions, Office of Student Financial Aid, the Honors College, and academic departments in the development and maintenance of scholarship web pages and publications.
4. Ensures an effective selection process for scholarship recipients by developing scholarship application forms, providing information to relevant departments and committees on a timely basis, and coordinating with other offices (Admissions, and Student Engagement, etc.) to plan and implement scholarship interview events and banquets for competitive scholarships such as the Presidential and Centennial Leadership scholarships.
5. Manages the dissemination of scholarship award letters by developing effective letters and scholarship acceptance forms consistent with scholarship and other University policies and indirectly overseeing staff responsible for the production of scholarship award letters.
6. Develops annual scholarship budget projections in cooperation with Financial Services based on historical rates of retention, anticipated enrollments of new students, and other factors.
7. Contributes to a positive image of the University by coordinating representation of the University by faculty and staff at various scholarship award events both in and outside of Springfield.
8. Ensures the effective use of Foundation scholarship accounts by coordinating with the Development Office in the development of the Foundation scholarship application process and the dissemination of relevant information regarding scholarship applicants to departments and selection committees.
9. Ensures effective partnerships with various agencies and organizations that award scholarships to Missouri State University students, such as the Kauffman Foundation, College Bound, Wyman, etc. by serving as the main point of contact with those organizations relating to the awarding of their scholarships.
10. Helps to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations by coordinating with the Office of Student Financial Aid to advise in the preparation of required reports.
11. Adheres to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) rules as communicated by the Associate Director of Athletics, Compliance related to dealings with student-athletes and/or Athletics Department personnel and reports any concerns or possible violations of those guidelines to the immediate supervisor.
12. Follows University scholarship and financial aid policies and adheres to professional and ethical standards established by relevant professional organizations, such as the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and the National Association of Student financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
13. Coordinates the review of and action on appeals from students for exceptions to scholarship policies.
14. Remains competent and current by self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management.
15. Contributes to the overall success of the University’s enrollment management effort by performing other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Director of Scholarships is supervised by the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and may supervise part-time staff and/or student employees.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2025