Our Program is Too Complicated. How Could Students First Consulting Possibly Understand It?
As a scholarship administrator, you’re used to managing a complex and detail-heavy program. From donor expectations to specific scholarship requirements, customized offerings like events and newsletters, and a multitude of other tasks, there’s a lot to keep track of. Maybe it took you years to get a handle on it all—or maybe it still feels like a work in progress. So how could Students First Consulting possibly grasp it all in a matter of weeks or months?
We Listen to Understand
Our first priority is understanding the unique details and challenges of your program. We work with many scholarship providers with complex setups, so we know how to ask the right questions to get to the heart of your needs and goals. Our approach includes:
Listening to your pain points: We want to understand what’s holding you back and where you’d like to see improvement.
Learning your goals: From the future you envision for your program to what you hope students and donors will experience, we focus on your big picture.
Navigating complexity: We start with the details that matter most to you, breaking down complexity to create a roadmap for success.
We Help You Chart a Course
It’s easy to feel bogged down by the existing intricacies of your program. Together, we’ll work on building a forward-focused “North Star” that guides every decision and aligns with your long-term impact goals. Our approach includes:
Defining who you serve and why: We’ll help outline the core mission—who your scholarships will support, and the impact you want to create.
Mapping the path forward: Rather than looking back at the complexity, we help you look ahead with a clear, achievable action plan that includes:
Evaluations and surveys to capture valuable input from stakeholders
Fund audits and technology assessments to improve efficiency and reduce pain points
Professional development or coaching to create positive change quickly
Documentation reviews and donor meeting guides (and even attending meetings alongside you!)
We Help You Adapt Your Existing Systems
Scholarship programs often evolve to meet specific requests or develop over time, leading to complicated processes that may no longer serve your goals. We work with you to:
Standardize sustainable services: Replace customizations with sustainable, consistent offerings that can be maintained long-term.
Optimize technology: We help identify areas where your current technology can better serve you or advise on choosing new platforms if needed.
Right-size staffing needs: From job descriptions to onboarding practices, we make sure roles align with the program’s evolving needs.
We Create Tools, Templates, and Samples for Your Program
A clear plan is essential, but so are the practical resources to implement it. We provide you with a range of tools and templates to simplify ongoing program management. Resources we provide include:
Application forms and evaluation rubrics for more streamlined scholarship processes
Surveys for regular evaluation of program impact and satisfaction
Development and donor guides to assist in engaging new and existing donors
Board documents and onboarding plans to align everyone involved in the program
We Help You Create a Concrete, Usable Plan
The end of our engagement isn’t the end of our support. Before wrapping up, we make sure you have everything you need to feel confident in moving forward:
Step-by-step implementation plans that guide you through each stage of the process
Usage guides for every tool and template we create together
Comprehensive reports for evaluations or surveys conducted during our engagement
Ongoing Support for Your Program’s Success
We understand that scholarship administrators need lasting support, so we offer continued guidance beyond our initial work together. Our commitment includes developing free resources, sharing best practices, and providing opportunities to connect with other professionals in the field. Many of our clients return when they need additional support or a fresh perspective, and we’re here whenever you need us.
If your scholarship program feels too complex for anyone else to understand, let’s talk! Schedule a consultation with Students First Consulting and learn how our capacity-building services can help streamline and strengthen your program for sustainable success.
