Scholarship Specialist
Boise State University

Job Summary/Basic Function:
The main purpose of this position is to work within a collaborative team environment to administer various student scholarship programs within regulatory requirements. Additionally, it involves advising students, parents, faculty, and staff to facilitate access to various student aid programs.

Responsibilities require mid-level knowledge of financial aid rules, regulations, and processes, and prior professional experience within the financial aid profession. This position may also act as a mentor or project leader for 1 classified staff.

In addition, this position will assist in maintaining the online scholarship management tool Blackbaud Award Management (BAM) and works closely with scholarship chairs, Deans, Development Directors, and the Foundation.
Department Overview:
The Financial Aid and Scholarships Department fosters a collaborative environment where students, faculty, and staff work together to build a strong and supportive community. We are committed to providing exceptional service and guidance to help students navigate the complexities of financial aid and scholarship applications.
Level Scope:
Entry-level professional with limited or no prior experience to contribute on a project or work team. Incumbent learns to use professional concepts to resolve problems of limited scope and complexity under close supervision while achieving day-to-day objectives. Works on developmental assignments that are initially routine in nature, requiring limited judgment and decision making. This level is typically focused on self-development. Requires theoretical knowledge through specific education and training.
Essential Functions:
60% of Time the Scholarship Specialist must perform:

Scholarship Stewardship

• Review, set up, and monitor Idaho LAUNCH Grant and other State of Idaho scholarships. In doing this the position is responsible for entering data into PeopleSoft to ensure accurate disbursal of funds and entering data into the various scholarship software's to ensure accurate awarding of the funds.
• Use judgment and research skills to ensure accurate awarding of scholarship funds per donor request.
• Work directly with academic units to award scholarships including reporting, interpreting, negotiating, and entering awards.
• Resolve issues affecting the awarding of scholarships and Federal Financial Aid within a student's Cost of Attendance.
• Understand federal and state aid regulations and make adjustments to student award packages as impacted by scholarship decisions.
• Maintain, track, and adjust student's accounts for financial resources awarded to students outside of Boise State.
• Monitor donor funds and students who have completely withdrawn from the University and return those funds to donors as necessary.
• Comply with local, federal, and state laws to ensure accurate cash-handling processes are in place.
• Monitor student attendance and scholarship acceptance and return donor funds to donors if the students fail to attend or comply with donor restrictions.
• Advise and counsel students and families on the financial aid process, unique circumstances for individual applicants, and options for funding a college education

35% of the Time the Scholarship Specialist must perform:

Scholarships On-line System Maintenance and Creating New Awards

• Design, modify, and implement a tracking system for the item types set up and scholarship accounts set up to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Create new scholarship item types for new scholarship agreements.
• Participate in Blackbaud Awards Management webinars and stay abreast of any software updates and changes.
• Participate in State and Workforce Development Center webinars and stay abreast of any software updates and changes.
• Identify best practices and benchmarks.
  • Strategize and implement methods to raise client services to those standards.
  • Prioritize implementation.
• Identify the needs of the scholarships team.
  • Plan, design, and implement programs and projects that will meet those needs and ensure the success of the client services team.
• Skills in complementary fields may include, but not be limited to,
  • Business administration, public administration, counseling, human resource management, tax preparation, economics, human performance improvement, and educational technology.

5% of Time the Scholarship Specialist must:

• Perform presentations at outreach events such as FAFSA nights, Discover Orientation, etc. both on and off-campus.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills which include the ability to draft/amend policies and procedures and report on findings
• Ability to handle a large volume of deadline-driven tasks with minimal level of supervision
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and lead projects to successful completion
• Ability to build rapport and close working relationships with various stakeholders to achieve scholarship outcomes
• Verbal and written communication skills including public speaking and creating presentation materials
• Working effectively in a collaborative, team environment
• Ability to interpret written agreements into quantifiable data
• Understanding of University policies and processes, particularly in the areas of Admissions and Registration
• Attention to detail and excellent organization skills

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree or relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2-3 years of similar professional financial aid experience
• Skills in complementary fields may include, but not be limited to:
  • Business administration, public administration, counseling, human resource management, tax preparation, economics, human performance improvement, and educational technology.

Salary and Benefits:

$47,320 annually. Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):

• 12 paid holidays AND the University is closed between Christmas and New Year's
• Between 12-24 annual paid vacation days for full-time Professional and Classified staff depending on position type and years of service
• 9.27% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)
• 11.96% University contribution to your PERSI retirement fund (Classified employees)
• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages
• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents
• See our full benefits page for more information!

Required Application Materials:
Resume, Cover Letter, 3 References
About Us:
Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We're a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.

Boise State is proud to be recognized by Forbes as the only Idaho employer listed in the top 100 of all national midsize and large employers. We're building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.

Learn more about Boise State and living in Idaho's Treasure Valley at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/

Advertised: November 22, 2024 Mountain Standard Time
Applications close: December 6, 2024 11:55 PM Mountain Standard Time

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