Scholarship Account Administrator - Finance

Job Summary At Purdue University, scholarships open doors to opportunity, helping students pursue their educational goals and discover what's possible. As a Scholarship Administrator, you will play a critical role in stewarding scholarship resources that support student success while ensuring funds are managed responsibly, accurately, and in alignment with university and donor expectations. In this role, you will oversee the administration of university scholarship accounts from initial setup through awarding, reconciliation, reporting, and closeout. Working closely with campus partners across Financial Planning & Analysis, colleges, administrative units, and student financial aid offices, you'll help ensure scholarships are administered efficiently, compliantly, and in ways that maximize student impact. This position offers the opportunity to blend financial management, problem-solving, collaboration, and process improvement while contributing to Purdue's commitment to access, affordability, and student achievement. The role aligns with Purdue's "Your Path" employee value proposition by creating meaningful impact through work that directly supports student success and educational opportunity. Responsibilities Include: Manage assigned scholarship accounts through the full lifecycle, including account setup, funding review, awarding, reconciliation, reporting, and closeout. Monitor scholarship funding availability and award activity to ensure accurate and timely administration. Maintain complete, accurate, and auditable documentation supporting scholarship transactions and account activity. Prepare financial projections, management reports, and analyses to support scholarship planning and decision-making. Investigate and resolve scholarship account discrepancies, funding issues, and award-related concerns. Interpret and apply university policies, donor restrictions, program requirements, and applicable regulations related to scholarship administration. Coordinate annual scholarship administration activities and timelines across multiple university stakeholders. Communicate account status, risks, funding needs, compliance considerations, and recommended actions to campus partners and leadership. Collaborate with Financial Planning & Analysis, student financial aid offices, colleges, and administrative units to support effective scholarship management. Promote consistent scholarship administration practices and adherence to established internal controls. Support audit readiness efforts and ensure compliance with financial and operational requirements. Contribute to process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery. Develop and maintain training materials, documentation, and procedural resources related to scholarship administration. Participate in special projects and strategic initiatives supporting student funding and financial operations. Exercise independent judgment in managing assigned responsibilities while appropriately escalating complex policy, funding, eligibility, or compliance matters. What Sets Us Apart: This position offers a unique opportunity to combine financial stewardship with meaningful student impact. Rather than managing finances solely from an operational perspective, you'll help ensure scholarship resources reach the students who need them, supporting Purdue's mission of expanding access to education and creating opportunities for future Boilermakers. You'll work across a broad network of university partners while gaining experience in financial management, compliance, donor-funded programs, process improvement, and strategic planning. Your expertise will help strengthen scholarship operations while directly contributing to the success of students across Purdue's campuses and programs. What We’re Looking For: Required: Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Management, Higher Education, or a related field. Three years of experience in financial administration, account of portfolio management, student financial aid, scholarship administration, higher education administration, or related area. Skills Needed: Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and seek guidance for complex or sensitive matters. Excellent planning, problem-solving, organizational, project management, and customer service skills. Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including the ability to reconcile financial activity, identify discrepancies, and produce accurate management reports. Ability to analyze, interpret, and implement University policies, procedures, program requirements, and funding restrictions. Ability to manage multiple priorities, recurring annual cycles, deadlines, and frequent interruptions while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to influence and build effective working relationships across a diverse workforce and with stakeholders at all levels. Commitment to confidentiality and the responsible handling of student, donor, and financial information. Learning orientation toward changing technology and business processes. Proficiency with Excel, Outlook, Teams, Word, spreadsheets, databases, and internet-based tools. What is Helpful: Experience administering scholarships or restricted funds in a higher education environment. Working knowledge of SAP, Cognos Reporting, student information, financial aid, scholarship management, or related higher education systems. Knowledge of University, state, federal, donor, and program policies or requirements applicable to scholarships and restricted funds. Experience developing procedures, training materials, reports, or process improvements. Additional Information: To learn more about Purdue’s benefits summaryCLICK HERE Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position A background check will be required for employment in this position FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime) Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period Career Stream Professional 2 Pay Band S065 Job Code #20004303 Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university. #J-18808-Ljbffr Purdue University