Scholarship Coordinator

REPORTS TO: Campus Principal and Project GRAD Scholarship Director

PURPOSE

This position is responsible for managing all components of the Scholarship Program on a designated Houston ISD high school campus in order to achieve both of Project GRAD’s goals: (a) 80% of high school freshman graduate within four years and, (b) 50% of those four year graduates go on to college.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES

Recruit and enroll students into the scholarship program

Assist with the planning and execution of the fall Walk for Success targeting 9th graders
Make presentations regarding the scholarship program to students, parents, community

Develop and maintain a computer database of Project GRAD Scholars and their attainment of scholarship requirements

Work with counselor and registrar to ensure that students are enrolled in and passing the required courses
Track and report the progress of scholarship students. Notify and assist those who do not make adequate progress. Provide a final list of scholarship recipients at time of graduation.
Notify sophomores/juniors about the PSAT and juniors/seniors about SAT/ACT test dates
Provide reports as requested.

Initiate and participate in parental involvement activities within the high school’s vertical team

Visit PTO/A and other parent meetings to answer questions about the Scholarship Program
Speak at Parent University sessions on college accessat the elementary, middle, and high schools
Organize and implement information sessions for parents focusing on grade relevant topics:
- 9th grade – Walk for Success
- 10th grade - TAKS and PSAT
- 11th grade – high school transcript for graduation and scholarship purposes
- 12th grade – complete financial aid documents and review college entrance material

College Institutes

Pre-Institute
- Promote program; Register students; Give input about curriculum;
- Arrange transportation
During Institute

Monitor program at assigned university sites; Provide daily feedback to Scholarship Director; Consult with university program coordinator regarding attendance/behavior;
Be an advocate for Project GRAD students; Attend each site’s closing ceremony
Serve as a transportation resource

Post-Institute
- Resolve issues regarding stipends; provide an evaluation of each site to Scholarship Director and make recommendations for improvement

Work with counselor and other school staff to promote college awareness and college preparation activities.
- Make Freshman and Sophomore classroom presentations
- Present, or arrange to have presented, the College Jigsaw curriculum during each semester.
- Set up college tour(s)
- Organize and promote Senior (fall) and Junior (spring) days and College Week (winter)
- Create and manage College Bound publicity.
Organize and conduct Advisory Board meetings three times a year and provide the required scholarship and graduation statistics.

Promote and coordinate the attendance of seniors at the yearly scholarship banquet or reception honoring the graduating scholarship recipients.

Attend monthly Scholarship Program meetings and

Assist with tours of Project GRAD schools by structuring any meetings scheduled with Project GRAD scholars and tour participants.

Communicate with funder representatives as appropriate.

PRIMARY CONTACTS

School Personnel: Students, Principal, Dean of Instruction, SIF Coordinator, Counselors, Teachers
Project GRAD Staff: Scholarship Director; Scholarship Liaison; Senior Scholarship Coordinator; Financial Aid Coordinator; Other campus Scholarship/College Access Coordinators
Others: College and university recruitment/admissions/retention officers; financial aid/scholarship personnel

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of one year of experience in a high school/college or university setting with primary responsibility directed to the college access/recruitment and admission/retention of students.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in education or related field

REQUIRED SKILLS

- Excellent communication skills with adolescents and adults (English/Spanish skills an asset)
- Extensive knowledge of college awareness and access issues, including financial aid.
Inquiries, please contact jobs@projectgradhouston.org