Scholarship Specialist

State Center Community College District; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

State Center Community College District is seeking a Scholarship Specialist to assist students and families with scholarship applications and related financial aid information. The role includes screening applications, advising on award criteria, and coordinating disbursements in alignment with donor guidelines.

The position also covers outreach activities, event planning for award ceremonies, and maintaining departmental materials and online presence.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of financial aid services, goals and policies.
• Customer service practices and telephone etiquette.
• FERPA and federal/state laws governing financial aid.
• Proficient with office software including word processing, spreadsheets and databases like Access.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate scholarship programs; process applications and determine awards.
• Explain and assist with applications; interview students as needed.
• Process stipends; track scholarship accounts and eligibility.
• Arrange Scholarship Award Ceremony logistics and events.
• Coordinate outreach; maintain materials, website and social media; engage with donors.
• Promote equity and culturally responsive service in district programs.

Skills

Financial aid processes

Customer service

Recordkeeping

FERPA compliance

English usage

Office software

Communication

Equity-minded service

Relationship building

Education

Associate degree or higher in education/finance/business

Tools

Access

Scholarship software

Job description

Scholarship Specialist

Salary: $61,777.00 - $75,977.00 Annually

Location: Districtwide, CA

Job Type: Permanent

Division: DO District Office

Job Number: 2026040

Closing: 9/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

General Purpose

Under general supervision, assists students, parents and the publicin applying for scholarships; screens students and providesspecialized financial aid, grant and scholarship information, assistance and advice to students; receives, reviews and evaluates scholarship applications and forms; determines scholarship award package and monitors student eligibility; assists with department outreach and events; and performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinates activities associated with the College's various scholarship programs; receives, scans and processes scholarship applications including GPA information, transcripts from other colleges and letters of recommendation; makes determinations on scholarship awards to students meeting established criteria; analyzes and processes scholarship applications using online software to determine if students meet state, federal and donor guidelines and criteria; notifies students of awards and coordinates the disbursement of scholarship awards in accordance with established criteria, procedures and guidelines.
• Explains and assists students with understanding and completing scholarship and financial aid applications; interviews students regarding scholarship requirements.
• Processes stipends from various departments throughout the year; tracks and monitors individual student scholarship accounts to ensure continued eligibility; takes appropriate follow-up action as necessary.
• Arranges the logistics for the Scholarship Award Ceremony and other major events; develops and maintains attendee lists and seating arrangements; prepares presentations; develops and produces invitations, programs and publications; contacts vendors for facilities and food orders, supplies and audio-visual equipment; handles other event logistics.
• Coordinates and participates in scholarship outreach activities, presentations and workshops; maintains or prepares informational materials including brochures, flyers and pamphlets; updates and maintains department website and social media accounts; works closely with the State Center Community College District Foundation to build and maintain strong relationships with donors.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minority groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded practices within the District.

Other Duties

• Provides backup for other department administrative support staff.
• Interacts with other departments and with state and federal programs on behalf of a student.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Financial aid department services, goals, objectives, policies, procedures and practices.
• Customer service practices and telephone etiquette.
• District student recordkeeping practices and procedures for processing student information and interpreting input and output data.
• District scholarship and financial software applications.
• The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Title IV and other state and federal laws and regulations and District rules, policies and procedures governing financial aid and applicable eligibility criteria.
• Principles and practices of sound business communication including English usage, spelling and punctuation.
• Standard business software including word processing, spreadsheets and database programs such as Access.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Communicate complex guidelines, policies and procedures accurately and effectively; understand requests for information or assistance; maintain a courteous and tactful manner when under pressure or in an antagonistic situation.
• Coordinate and implement scholarship outreach activities and special events.
• Analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend or adopt effective courses of action in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Set priorities and exercise sound judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Track and report statistical information utilizing complex spreadsheets and databases.
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality of District and student files and records.
• Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Operate a computer and use standard business software.
• Represent the District effectively one on one and in a variety of group settings.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential student issues and situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Education and Experience

An associate degree in education, finance, accounting, business administration or another related field and one year of student services support work experience, preferably in a foundation or financial aid department; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements

(Certain assignments may require a California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Districts vehicle insurance program.

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to sit; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Employees are frequently required to walk and to stand for long periods; and to lift up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work; work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions; work under intensive deadlines; and interact with District managers, staff, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees work under typical office conditions subject to frequent public contact and interruption; and intermittent exposure to individuals acting in a disagreeable fashion.

The employee may be required to travel to locations other than assigned work site and to adjust to work schedule changes and requirements to work overtime.

SCCCD is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering innovation and inclusivity. We respond proactively to the diverse needs of the community and welcome individuals excited to join our District's purpose to support student success both locally and globally. United, we the faculty, classified professionals and administrators pledge to treat all applicants and employees fairly and equitably.