Graduate Student Funding Coordinator

Department: Academic Affairs

Classification: Education Support Spec 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 03

Salary:  Salary $50,000 to $57,000  depending on the finalist's qualifications and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

Part of the Office of the Provost, under the Academic Affairs Division, The Graduate Division elevates Mason graduate education by augmenting the work of the academic units, by increasing the impact of graduate students and programs, by fostering a collaborative culture of academic excellence, and by contributing to the research productivity and the workforce development appropriate to an R1 institution.

About the Position:

As a part of the Graduate Division, this position reports to the Assistant Director for Graduate Operations and Funding and is responsible for managing and processing all centrally-administered graduate awards, scholarships, assistantships, grants, and fellowships.

Responsibilities:

Hiring and Funding Support

• Works under supervisor on administering all graduate awards, scholarships, assistantships, grants, and fellowships as well as graduate student travel fund;
• Coordinates the enrollment administration for the graduate student health insurance program, including serving as the primary point of contact for the units and the health vendor, updating guidelines and procedures, and processing student records in Ellucian Banner. Ensures accurate enrollment records, eligibility reports, and working with the units to certify compliance;
• Supports all funding programs, including every step of the application lifecycle, from the dissemination of funding opportunities to the assessment of applicants’ performance and progress. This includes (but not limited to): the review of eligibility criteria and requirements, the completion of offer letters, distribution of information, approvals of hiring processes, and posting of all tuition grants for graduate students;
• Processes stipend payments and ensuring accuracy and completeness and maintaining accurate records;
• Assists in updating hiring templates and responding to general inquiries concerning the hiring process; and
• Provides professional and punctual services to graduate programs and students. Maintains strict confidentiality with all materials, especially those containing student personal information.

Administrative and Customer Service Support

• Communicates important updates and information to relevant stakeholders by maintaining detailed knowledge of funding programs, hiring policies, and procedures. This includes (but not limited to): preparing and disseminating correspondence; answering telephone and in-person inquiries; responding to internal and external e-mails; and providing requested materials to internal and external audiences. Promotes funding opportunities widely; and
• Provides excellent customer service in a calm and professional manner to all key graduate stakeholders and constituents. All services are accomplished with high standards and by the required deadlines.

Additional duty for other project as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience in a fast-paced executive office with strong customer service;
• Knowledge of Graduate Education-related funding programs (e.g., awards, scholarships) with the ability to administer these programs by supporting graduate hiring processes, providing administrative and communication support, updating webpages, and maintaining an organized shared system;
• Knowledge in higher education software and tools (e.g., Banner, Salesforce, Ellucian);
• Deep understanding of the lifecycle of funding competitions, such as the request and review of applications and the selection and assessment of applicants;
• Demonstrated written and oral communication;
• Skills in operating applicable office equipment and software, such as MS Office and Adobe products, other software packages required to carry out the functions of the office;
• Ability to work both as a team member and independently;
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, meet deadlines, and work in a professional setting; and
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to students, staff, faculty, and academic units.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with management systems;
• Experience working in scholarship or program management;
• Experience working in graduate funding;
• Experience in budget and operations; and
• Project management experience.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Graduate Student Funding Coordinator at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Posting Open Date: October 31, 2025

Posting Close Date: December 19, 2025

Open Until Filled:  No