Scholarship Manager

Position Summary

Under direct supervision of the Director of Scholarship Operations & Student Programming, is responsible for ensuring scholarship program delivery and achieving outcome goals in conjunction with the vision, mission, and strategic direction of Native Forward. Provides student support and serves as a liaison between educational institutions and recipients. Represents Native Forward and strengthens relationships between Native Forward and the educational, Native American, and wider community.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

• Responsible for all aspects of scholarship processing.
• Advises prospective applicants and institutions, in a timely manner, regarding all program policies, including eligibility, the application process, recipient responsibilities, and program features.
• Reviews and processes scholarship applications, financial aid, and supporting documents to determine eligibility.
• Reviews and processes student files to ensure deadlines are met, for completing various scholarship portfolio requirements, such as coursework requirements, thesis, comprehensive examination, and other specific program requirements.
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of policies and procedures as outlined in all contracts.
• Maintains accurate, secure, and up-to-date student files.
• Corresponds with applicants, recipients, and post‑secondary educational institutions, regarding financial aid, scholarship guidelines, procedures, and program eligibility. Serves as a liaison between students and educational institutions.
• Promotes existing and new programs to constituencies and assists in publicizing them through scholarship directories, conferences and meetings, information booths, and other appropriate channels.
• Works with the Director of Scholarship Operations and Student Programming to collect data and provide program information in the form of reports to key stakeholders in all scholarship portfolios.
• Assist with planning, developing, and coordinating special projects and other initiatives as directed by the department director.
• Represents Native Forward, with respect to program activities, on a local, regional, and national basis. Attends and participates in individual and group presentations and other information dissemination sessions and provides orientation to visitors, parents, and tribal representatives.
• Performs intermediate data entry and word‑processing activities, including merging letters, data entry, and data retrieval.
• Prepares internal and external written communications, as assigned, and distributes organizational publications.
• Participates in developing, implementing, and maintaining policies, objectives, and short‑ and long‑term range planning. Develops and implements projects and programs to assist in accomplishing established goals.
• Assists other Native Forward program operations and assists in training staff regarding Native Forward scholarship process.
• Assists in developing student services programs related to outreach, developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating a comprehensive outreach program that will assist potential Native Forward Scholarship recipients.
• Utilizes a database system of recipients and assists with outreach activities.
• Utilizes a web‑based application and communication network for continuing recipients, applicants, recommenders, and reviewers.
• Creates new scholarship opportunities in the online application system with requirements from the newly established contracts.
• Assists in tracking and monitoring the Native Forward recipients’ progress toward a degree.
• Serves on the Student of the Month/Year selection committee.
• Advises recipients placed on academic programs using the “Back on Track” assessment program.
• Serves on select boards and advisory committees to increase visibility, advocacy, networking, and fundraising for Native Forward.
• Maintains strict student confidentiality and compliance with the Family Education Right to Privacy Act.
• Embodies Native Forward Core Values and promotes the Native Forward organization, staff, and programs in a…