Specialist- Scholarship

Kilgore College • Kilgore, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Scholarship Specialist is responsible for managing the institution’s comprehensive scholarship program and communicating essential information related to the full financial aid process. This role requires strong knowledge of federal, state, and institutional aid programs and regular collaboration across campus. This position requires extensive daily interaction with students, parents, high school counselors, administrators, external partners, and Kilgore College faculty and staff, and therefore demands exceptional communication and customer-service skills while providing comprehensive counseling—whether in person, by phone, or via email—regarding financial aid eligibility, application procedures, program options, need analysis, and the cost of attendance. The Specialist will provide support to the Director of Financial Aid and plays an integral part of fulfilling the mission of the institution, by preparing students for success in life.

Requirements

• Associate degree. Extensive related work experience will be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Excellent customer service and computer skills required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to handle high level of stress.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and awarding scholarships, waivers, and exemptions per federal & state guidelines.
• Preparing and organizing scholarship roster for committee decisions.
• Scheduling Scholarship Committee meetings.
• Reviewing student accounts for renewed eligibility per term.
• Working with other staff, faculty, students, parents, and the community.
• Assisting with FAFSA completion and attending high school recruiting events as scheduled.
• Managing the institution’s comprehensive scholarship program and communicating essential information related to the full financial aid process.
• Maintaining a thorough understanding of all financial aid processes and awarding all institutional scholarships, state exemptions, waivers, and outside agency scholarships for eligible students.
• Preparing and managing scholarship award packages in compliance with state, institutional, departmental, and federal guidelines, ensuring accurate documentation and regulatory adherence.
• Overseeing the Regent Scholarship software, creating and configuring new academic years, and submitting support tickets to Regent Technical Staff to resolve system issues or discrepancies.
• Ensuring the new scholarship application within the Regent system is fully created, tested, and operational by January 1st each year, enabling timely communication to students and notification to high school counselors.
• Participating in college recruitment and outreach efforts, including high school FAFSA events and other Kilgore College–sponsored programs.
• Preparing and submitting weekly reports and monthly scholarship reconciliations to the Director, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Collaborating closely with the Kilgore College Foundation and the Scholarship Committee, gathering required information, scheduling meetings, and updating scholarship fund amounts in PowerFAIDS and Regent based on Foundation data.
• Collaborating and meeting regularly with the Kilgore College Foundation to ensure scholarship funds are properly allocated and awarded to the fullest extent possible, maximizing 100% utilization of available funding.
• Overseeing the administration and distribution of athletic scholarship awards in compliance with institutional policies and current governing regulations, including updated rulings related to full-ride athletic scholarships.
• Collaborating regularly with athletic coaches and departmental staff to review scholarship allocations, verify student-athlete eligibility, and ensure equitable and strategic awarding practices that maximize the utilization of available scholarship funding.
• Validating, compiling, and maintaining up-to-date lists used to determine eligibility for Institutional Competitive Waivers.
• Working daily in the Regent Scholarship software, updating student records, correcting data, packaging awards, and maintaining scholarship applications and Thank You Letters within Regent and PF.
• Performing additional duties as assigned, including supporting office operations during peak processing periods, registration, and special events.
• Attending and maintaining professional conduct while attending staff meetings and college sponsored events.
• Attending necessary training and development to remain current in the field, as required.
• Acting as liaison for the financial aid office, with excellent public relation skills in answering daily questions.
• Working some evenings or weekends during Registration and some Saturdays during the summer for KC Star Days.

Benefits

• 36-hour work week for a healthy work life balance
• Generous paid leave time
• Health, life, and income protection insurance
• An excellent retirement program through the Teacher Retirement System
• Free use of the college’s recreational/fitness facilities for full-time employees
• Eligibility for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PLSF) after 10 years of service for full-time employees
• Tuition scholarships for the employee and dependents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree