Specialist, College Admissions/Scholarship

McAllen Independent School District; McAllen (TX); On-site; USD 58,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

McAllen Independent School District is seeking a dedicated professional to assist students and families with college admissions and financial aid applications. The role involves announcing scholarship opportunities, recruiting qualified students, and aggressively pursuing scholarship possibilities through the Internet, community organizations and businesses.

The candidate will collaborate with counselors, staff and administrators, organize workshops, track applications and coordinate campus

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred in education or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in counseling or related field required.
• Licensed school counselor, school social worker or related credential required.

Responsibilities

• Solicit and secure scholarship information.
• Advise students about funding sources (scholarships, work study, grants, loans).
• Research alternative funding sources for those not qualifying for aid.
• Organize financial aid workshops for students, parents, staff and counselors.
• Assist with completing and submitting financial aid forms.
• Disseminate financial aid information via newspapers, newsletters and media.
• Coordinate campus events for college and financial aid nights.
• Train staff on current financial aid information and processes.
• Provide orientation for students on financial aid with administrators and counselors.
• Organize small group presentations for parents and students to demystify aid.
• Assist campus staff in writing letters of recommendations for students.
• Serve as liaison with universities, community colleges and vocational schools.
• Collaborate with Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to secure scholarships.
• Log and track students’ aid applications and awards.
• Publish a list of local, state, and national scholarships for families.
• Follow up on effectiveness of the financial aid program.
• Adhere to McAllen ISD customer service standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Public relations

Communication skills

Flexibility

Computer skills

Education

Master’s Degree in Education or related field

Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling or related field

Licensed School Counselor or Social Worker

Job description

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.
• 7. 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.
• 13. 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.