Scholarship and Outreach Counselor - Financial Aid

Missouri Southern State University•Joplin, MO

About The Position

The Scholarship and Outreach Counselor administers University scholarship programs, including Institutional, Foundation, departmental, performance-based, athletic, outside, international student, and other University-administered scholarship opportunities. The role works with students, families, coaches, campus departments, the MSSU Foundation, and other University personnel to support timely, accurate, and consistent administration of scholarship funds. It also performs Financial Aid Counselor duties, provides financial aid and scholarship guidance to prospective, new, and continuing students, participates in outreach and educational activities, and supports federal consumer information compliance and other Student Financial Support Services responsibilities. The position coordinates scholarship applications, awards, renewals, eligibility reviews, disbursements, reconciliations, appeals, reporting, and related communications. It supports the University Scholarship Committee and works with Athletics, International Admissions, campus departments, students, families, and external scholarship providers. It also counsels students and families on financial aid programs and requirements, reviews student records and documentation, and participates in outreach events and presentations. Some evening, weekend, and off-campus participation may be required, as may occasional travel for presentations, meetings, and training workshops. The role requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. One or two years of related experience and/or training is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated knowledge of financial aid is preferred. The position requires strong organizational and communication skills, teamwork, use of technical computer applications, and the ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with FERPA. The work involves regular talking or hearing, frequent standing, occasional walking, sitting, keyboard use, reaching and stooping/kneeling/crouching, and frequently lifting or moving up to 50 pounds. The work environment has a usually moderate noise level.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
Ability to use highly technical computer applications, including Banner, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint), and other web-based applications.
Ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Willingness to travel occasionally for presentations, meetings, and training workshops, as required.

Nice To Haves

One or two years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of financial aid.
Experience handling multiple tasks.
Customer service orientation and commitment to higher education and working with students.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary University resource for scholarship programs, policies, eligibility requirements, application procedures, renewal requirements, and award administration.
Administer University Institutional, Foundation, departmental, performance-based, athletic, outside, international student, and other scholarship programs.
Identify student eligibility for Institutional and Foundation scholarships using University systems, applications, student records, and other documentation.
Review and communicate scholarship awards to prospective and continuing students and manage award acceptance and processing.
Coordinate the Foundation scholarship application and award process, including application review, committee materials, award decisions, processing, renewals, and communications with the MSSU Foundation.
Coordinate and support the University Scholarship Committee by preparing materials, interpreting policies and criteria, documenting decisions, and recommending selection criteria, policies, and procedures.
Coordinate scholarship awarding, posting, adjustment, renewal, cancellation, and monitoring in University systems and student accounts.
Work with Athletics staff and coaches to establish, adjust, renew, cancel, and monitor athletic scholarships; maintain accurate records and help resolve discrepancies and compliance matters.
Coordinate departmental and performance-based awards with campus departments to support timely awarding, accurate records, appropriate fund use, and adherence to scholarship criteria.
Work with International Admissions to process documentation and administer scholarships for eligible international students.
Process third-party and outside scholarships, including receiving, reviewing, posting, and resolving funds, and coordinate their application to student accounts.
Evaluate recipients’ academic and enrollment status each term to determine continued eligibility and renewal; communicate decisions and explain renewal, improvement, reinstatement, and appeal requirements.
Assist students with scholarship appeals and supporting documentation and prepare information for committee review.
Monitor scholarship disbursements, reconcile scholarship programs, resolve discrepancies, and prepare internal and external reports, including year-end reporting.
Review scholarship policies, procedures, forms, communications, and processes and recommend updates and improvements.
Maintain accurate scholarship information on University websites and other student-facing resources.
Perform Financial Aid Counselor duties for prospective, new, and continuing students concerning federal, state, institutional, and private aid programs and related requirements and policies.
Review financial aid records and documentation; help students resolve issues involving forms, missing information, eligibility, award adjustments, and next steps.
Counsel students and families regarding FAFSA, aid eligibility, cost of attendance, aid offers, grants, scholarships, loans, satisfactory academic progress, and financial aid requirements and responsibilities.
Assist with financial aid appeals and other assigned student-specific reviews, including explaining documentation, timelines, and available options.
Provide individualized financial aid and scholarship guidance to students participating in Study Abroad and other programs requiring review.
Plan, coordinate, and participate in outreach and educational activities, including FAFSA completion events, Lion Pride Visit Days, high school counselor outreach, recruitment activities, and presentations for students, families, campus groups, and community organizations.
Communicate with public and private high school personnel about University scholarships and financial aid opportunities, application processes, and requirements; provide materials and presentation information.
Support federal consumer information compliance by helping review, monitor, and maintain required financial aid and scholarship disclosures and information.
Maintain complete and accurate records for reporting and ensure student information and documentation are appropriately maintained in Banner, electronic document systems, and other University records.
Assist with developing and reviewing scholarship and financial aid communications, forms, publications, presentations, and web content for accuracy and clarity.
Contribute to Student Financial Support Services policies, procedures, and service practices.
Cross-train in other Student Financial Support Services functions and perform Financial Aid Counselor and other office duties as needed.
Collaborate with University departments to ensure coordinated delivery of student financial services.
Perform other related duties as assigned.