Description
The Student Funding Strategist plays a key role in advancing Alliant’s mission to expand access to education by developing, managing, and optimizing student funding pathways. This position integrates scholarship administration with strategic funding development and graduate-focused financial guidance to support enrollment, retention, and student financial wellness.
Working at the intersection of Financial Aid and Student Finance, the Strategist ensures effective stewardship of scholarship resources while proactively identifying new funding opportunities—including employer partnerships, external scholarships, and responsible financing options. This position will be the manager of the institutional loan program and provide support for application, disbursement, and repayment. The position provides tailored financial literacy and support to help graduate students make informed decisions about financing their education.
Salary Range: $70,304 - $74,000 annualized exempt position.
Benefits Plans Include: Medical/Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Voluntary Benefit Plans: Accident, Critical Illness, or Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Legal Plan, Transportation Spending Account, Employee Tuition Waiver.
Key Responsibilities
1. Scholarship Administration and Private Loan Support (0.5 FTE)
Manage the full lifecycle of institutional and external scholarships, including application configuration, review coordination, awarding, and disbursement alignment
Partner with Admissions and program leadership to align scholarship awarding with enrollment and retention goals
Coordinate scholarship review committees, including training and process oversight
Serve as a primary resource for students regarding scholarship opportunities and processes Manage and provide support for the Alliant Institutional Loan program, including maintenance of the application and approval process.
Provide support to students in repayment of the Institutional Loan.
Monitor student eligibility, academic progress, and ongoing compliance with award criteria
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations
Maintain systems, records, and reporting to ensure accuracy, audit readiness, and transparency
Generate reports and analysis on aid utilization, outcomes, and gaps in funding
2. Funding Development & Partnerships (0.25 FTE)
Identify and promote alternative funding pathways for students, including employer tuition assistance, external scholarship opportunities, and responsible private/alternative loan options
Research and maintain a curated database of external scholarships relevant to Alliant’s programs (e.g., psychology, education, business, nursing/health fields)
Collaborate with Alliant Educational Foundation to support the management of Foundation and donor-funded scholarships
Build and maintain relationships with employers, professional associations, and partner organizations to expand funding opportunities for students
Analyze funding gaps specific to Alliant student populations and recommend strategies to increase access and affordability
Stay informed on trends in graduate financing, including loan products, repayment programs, and employer-sponsored education benefits
Identify gaps in student funding and recommend innovative solutions to improve affordability
3. Financial Literacy & Student Support (0.25 FTE)
Provide individualized and group-based financial guidance tailored to Alliant students, including budgeting, debt management, and long-term repayment planning
Educate students on responsible borrowing, including federal and alternative loan options, interest implications, and repayment strategies
Develop and deliver workshops, webinars, and resources focused on financing graduate education and managing debt post-graduation
Partner with program staff to integrate financial literacy into the student lifecycle
Support Student Finance Officers and enrollment teams with tools and training to communicate funding options effectively
Partner with Marketing to advertise funding options and ensure maximum student outreach
Assist students in navigating complex financial situations by identifying appropriate funding strategies and resources
Support student access to affordable living resources by connecting students to cost-of-living guidance, housing resources, and budgeting strategies that account for total cost of attendance (including non-tuition expenses)
Contribute to initiatives that improve financial literacy and reduce financial barriers to persistence and completion
Core Competencies
Student-centered and equity-minded approach to affordability and access
Strategic thinking in funding development and resource optimization
Strong collaboration across Financial Aid, Student Finance, Admissions, and Advancement
Attention to detail and regulatory compliance
Relationship-building and presentation skills
Primary Work Location, Hours & Travel Requirements:
Office Location: San Diego campus, Hybrid, can work remotely 2-3 days per week.
Work Hours: Standard office hours - Full-time, occasional evening hours to deliver workshops/webinars.
Travel: Occasional travel may be needed to support partnership and funding development.
Requirements
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required
3–5 years of experience in financial aid, student finance, scholarships, or graduate/professional education environments
Strong understanding of financial aid principles and graduate student funding models preferred
Experience with financial counseling and student support strongly preferred
Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly to student populations
