Specialist, College Admissions/Scholarship

NAFSA: Association of International Educators; McAllen (TX); On-site; USD 58,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

McAllen Independent School District is seeking a Specialist in College Admissions/Scholarship to assist students and parents with college admissions, financial aid and scholarships. The role involves announcing scholarship availabilities, recruiting qualified students, and aggressively seeking scholarship opportunities via the Internet, community, and businesses.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in Counseling or related field, a valid license as a school counselor or related profession,

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education or related field preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling or related field required.
• Licensed School Counselor, School Social Worker, Counselor, or Social Worker required.

Responsibilities

• Solicit and secure scholarship information.
• Advise students about alternative funding sources (scholarships, work study, grants, loans).
• Research other funding sources for students not qualifying for financial aid or scholarships.
• Organize and conduct financial aid workshops for students, parents, staff and counselors; emphasize timeliness in funding.
• Assist parents/students in completing and submitting financial aid forms to organizations.
• Disseminate financial aid information through local newspapers, newsletters and other media sources.
• Coordinate planning of campus for college and financial aid nights.
• Conduct training seminars/workshops in financial aid for staff and community.
• Work with administrators, counselors and teachers to provide orientation for students on financial aid.
• Organize and conduct small group presentations with parents/students/community to demystify financial aid.
• Work with campus staff in writing letters of recommendations for students.
• Serve as liaison between students and universities, community colleges, technical/vocational schools, and the military.
• Collaborate with Chamber of Commerce, businesses to secure local scholarships.
• Log and track students who have applied for financial aid.
• Compile and publish a list of local, state and national scholarships for students, parents, counselors and teachers.
• Log and track students who have been awarded scholarships for senior awards ceremony.

Skills

Public relations

Communication

Scholarship outreach

Computer literacy

Education

Master’s degree in Education

Bachelor’s degree in Counseling

Licensed School Counselor/Social Worker

Job description

Specialist, College Admissions/Scholarship

Employer McAllen Independent School District

Location McAllen, TX

Closing date Sep 17, 2026

Specialty Admissions

Position Type Specialist

Hours Full-time

Employment Type Permanent

Organization Type College / University

Primary Purpose

Assist all students and parents in completing and submitting applications for college admissions, financial aid and scholarships. Announce all scholarship availabilities and recruit qualified students. Engage in an aggressive search of scholarship possibilities via the Internet and community and businesses.

Qualifications

Education/Certification

• Master’s Degree in Education or related field, preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling or related field, required
• Licensed School counselor, School Social Worker, Counselor, or Social Worker, required

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Effective public relations/communication skills
• Open-minded to scholarship opportunities for all students regardless of academic achievement and economic background
• Flexibility to meet needs of parents/students as they relate to extended working hours
• Well-versed and competent in computer accessing skills

Experience

• Experience in the area of financial aid, preferred
• Three (3) years experience in the area of working with secondary students, required

Major Responsibilities And Duties/Essential Functions

• Solicit and secure scholarship information.
• Advise students about alternative sources of funding available (scholarships, work study, grants, loans and investments).
• Conduct research into alternative sources of funding available for students who do not qualify for financial aid and/or scholarships.
• Organize and conduct financial aid workshops for students, parents, staff and counselors and impress the importance of timeliness as it relates to meeting available funding.
• Assist parents/students in completing and submitting financial aid forms to appropriate organizations.
• Disseminate financial aid information through the use of local newspapers, newsletters and other media sources.
• Coordinate the planning of the campus for college and financial aid nights.
• Conduct training seminars and workshops in financial aid to keep staff and community current with latest information and processes.
• Work with administrators, counselors and teachers in providing orientation for students relating to financial aid.
• Organize and conduct small group presentations with parents, students and community in order to de-mystify and simplify the financial aid process.
• Work with campus staff in writing effective letters of recommendations for students.
• Serve as liaison between the student and the universities, community colleges, technical and vocational schools and the military.
• Work with Chamber of Commerce, businesses and other organizations to secure local scholarship for students.
• Log and track students who have applied for financial aid.
• Compile and publish a list of all local, state and national scholarships for use by students, parents counselors and teachers.
• Log and track students who have been awarded scholarships for the senior awards ceremony and future valuations.
• Follow-up information on the effectiveness of the financial aid program.
• Follow McAllen ISD customer service standards.
• Perform other duties assigned by immediate supervisor (primary evaluator).

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff

Equipment Used

Computer, copier, adding machine, fax machine, multimedia equipment, software, access to Internet

Working Conditions

Mental Demands

Maintain emotional control under stress

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

Frequent district and occasional statewide travel; Repetitive hand motions; Prolonged use of computer; Prolonged hours

Days

201

Daily Rate Pay Range

Minimum: $317.01

Midpoint: $379.65

Maximum: $442.29

Note: Starting pay for a new hire in a pay range plan will be determined individually based on each person's job-related experience and salaries paid to peer employees in the same position with similar experience.