Scholarship Manager

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Director of Scholarship Operations the Scholarship Operations Manager is responsible for determining scholarship awards and providing comprehensive wraparound services to ensure student persistence, academic success, and degree completion. This role focuses on individualized student support, academic progress monitoring, and strategic use of scholarship resources in alignment with Native Forward’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.

The Scholarship Operations Manager serves as a primary point of contact for scholarship recipients, offering guidance, advocacy, and referrals that address academic, financial, and personal barriers to student success. The position emphasizes relationship-building, student coaching, and outcomes-driven support rather than administrative processing.

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

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Determines scholarship award amounts in accordance with program guidelines, funding availability, and contractual requirements.
• Reviews student academic standing, financial need, and progress toward degree completion to inform award decisions.
• Ensures equitable, timely, and mission-aligned allocation of scholarship funds.
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of scholarship policies, eligibility criteria, and contractual obligations related to awards.
• Provides holistic, student-centered advising and coaching to scholarship recipients to promote retention, academic success, and graduation.
• Monitors recipients’ academic progress, enrollment status, and compliance with scholarship requirements.
• Advises students experiencing academic difficulty and supports them through structured improvement plans, including the Back on Track assessment program.
• Identifies barriers to student success and connects recipients with appropriate campus, community, or Native Forward resources.
• Maintains regular, proactive communication with students to support goal-setting, accountability, and persistence.
• Maintains accurate, secure, and up-to-date student records related to awards, academic progress, and support interventions.
• Utilizes the scholarship database and web-based application systems to document awards, progress updates, and student interactions.
• Assists with tracking and monitoring outcomes related to degree completion, persistence, and student success metrics.
• Works closely with the Director of Scholarship Operations to provide data and insights on scholarship outcomes and student success trends.
• Contributes to internal and external reports related to scholarship impact, student persistence, and program effectiveness.
• Collaborates with Native Forward staff to ensure coordinated student services and consistent application of scholarship policies.
• Serves on the Student of the Month/Year selection committee.
• Represents Native Forward on select boards, advisory committees, or working groups as assigned, with a focus on student success and advocacy.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Embodies and promotes Native Forward Core Values in all interactions with students, staff, partners, and stakeholders.
• Contributes to a collaborative team environment and supports organizational goals.
• Represents Native Forward, with respect to scholarship and student success activities, on a local, regional, and national basis.
• Attends and participates in individual and group presentations, information sessions, and other program-related forums to communicate scholarship opportunities, student success initiatives, and outcomes.
• Provides orientation and informational support to visitors, parents, and tribal representatives, with an emphasis on scholarship impact, recipient success, and Native Forward’s mission.
• Serves as a knowledgeable ambassador of Native Forward, strengthening relationships with tribal communities, partners, and stakeholders in support of student persistence and completion.

• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in related field required, plus two years of experience in education, financial aid, or related student services environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Valid Driver’s License required. Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Certifications:

• Knowledge of American Indian history, culture, and tribes.
• Knowledge of student recruitment and retention issues.
• Knowledge of academic standards governing student probation, suspension, and/or expulsion.
• Knowledge of integrated functions of financial aid, academic counseling, and general student services.
• Knowledge of various student life issues and concerns, including graduate students.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Ability to provide student career and/or academic guidance and counsel at the college level.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently
• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to interpret contracts and agreements with funding entities.
• Ability to analyze course prerequisites, certification, and/or curriculum/graduation requirements.
• Ability to evaluate student transcripts and/or records and financial need forms.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds, employees, and officials.
• Ability to gather data, compile information and prepare reports.
• Ability to be innovative, creative, and flexible.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Skills in operating business computers and office machines, including various software applications, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).
• Skills in planning and organizing group activities.
• Skills in effective meeting facilitation.
• Skilled in public speaking

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to walk.  The employee, occasionally, is required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level.  Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. Travel will be required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events.