Student Funding Strategist

Alliant University is a professional practice University committed to excellence in four areas: Education for Professional Practice, Scholarship, Multicultural and International Competence and Community Engagement. The University provides students with the highest quality of education through excellence and innovation in academic scholarship, applied training and research, and community service, particularly to underserved populations. Through its Mission, the University's goal is to equip students with the competencies they need to provide public benefit and make an impact in their communities by addressing major contemporary social issues. Core competencies of the University's training programs include cultural diversity, which is infused in courses and field placements and is manifest in the diversity of its students, faculty.

Our Mission:
Alliant University prepares students for professional careers of service and leadership, and promotes the discovery and application of knowledge to improve the lives of people in diverse cultures and communities around the world.

Our Vision:
An inclusive world empowered by Alliant alumni.

Our IMPACT Values:

• Inclusion: We value and engage the rich diversity of the Alliant community.
• Mentoring: We provide guidance and create enabling environments for success.
• Passion: We bring enthusiasm, creativity, and authenticity to our work.
• Accountability: We act with integrity and responsibility in all we do.
• Communication: We are responsive, transparent, and respectful in our interactions.
• Teamwork: We collaborate to develop innovative solutions for our community.

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

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

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.

Background Check Requirements:
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check (including criminal, prior employment and education verification). Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current University employees who apply for the position.

Additional Information:
Anti-Discrimination Policy: Alliant University prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation in its educational programs, services and activities, and in employment practices, including but not limited to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, relationships with outside vendors, use of contractors and consultants, and in its admission or access thereto, on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin or descent, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability (including physical, disease, psychiatric or psychological disability), medical condition, pregnancy, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, hair style or texture associated with race, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.

Alliant University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to ensuring a high quality of education through the diversity of the University community and the curriculum. Women, people of color, people with disabilities and people from other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply, as we actively seek to increase diversity at all levels. The University will conduct its programs, services and activities consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Applicants with disabilities and applicants who require assistance completing an application may contact Office of People & Culture (Human Resources) at peopleandculture@alliant.edu or 858-635-4509.

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) requires that we provide you with this Notice at Collection for California Employees and Applicants. This notice is about the collection and use of your personal information. We encourage you to read this notice carefully.

Governing legislation: Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the regulations implementing these statutes, and applicable federal and California law.

Alliant University is a smoke and tobacco free environment.

Company: Alliant University | Job ID: 289333