Financial Aid Counsellor

Date Posted: 08/22/2024

Req ID: 39436

Faculty/Division: Vice-Provost, Students

Department: Enrolment Services

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Position Number: 00007559

Description:

About us:

The Financial Aid unit in the University Registrar’s Office at the University of Toronto manages the University’s administration of government financial aid programs, including the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), as well as the awarding of funds for the University of Toronto Advanced Planning for Students (UTAPS) program, and other major financial aid programs and awards.

Your opportunity:

Under direction of the Associate Director, Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counsellor works as part of a team to support on-campus administration of government funded financial aid programs, and need-based financial aid programs for the university. The FinancialAid Counsellor makes accurate assessments of Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and evaluation of a person’s financial aid need, reviews each application to determine eligibility, acceptance, assesses appeals and exceptions. The Financial Aid Counsellor provides counselling service to prospective/current students and parents in obtaining the financial assistance necessary to achieve their educational goals, debt management and repayment, academic progress, OSAP appeals and OSAP restrictions. The incumbent educates students on financial aid related matters through financial counselling, presentations or information workshops and training sessions for university colleagues on government-funded student aid and university student aid related policies,procedures, and changes.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising students on financial aid/award matters by probing and providing a range of options and possible outcomes
• Interpreting and applying academic and government financial aid rules to ensure students meet requirements
• Facilitating educational workshops and seminars
• Advising students on budgeting and personal financial management
• Reviewing and assessing financial aid appeals for acceptability
• Interpreting applicable guidelines and protocols to determine policy violations
• Responding to service requests in a timely fashion
• Tracking and monitoring contact with students

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience
• Minimum four (4) years relevant experience in a high volume environment, preferably a university or college institution
• Direct experience in a financial aid environment: administering student financial aid programs (university and government financial aid programs)
• Experience advising and/or counselling students on financial aid (ex: relevant financial aid programs,preparation of financial plans and strategies to access funding)
• Experience conducting presentations/workshops/training sessions to external and internal attendees
• Experience with interpreting and applying institutional, government, agency and department policies, procedures and guidelines
• Experience with document management systems
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated presentation skills to large and diverse groups; Ability to effectively provide information and advice to staff, students and general public, individually or in group settings (i.e. one-on-one or group session and/or workshops)
• Advanced computer skills must include word processing, creating and manipulating spreadsheets, posting to and navigating websites, creating PowerPoint presentations
• Strong analytical skills and attention to details
• Strong student service orientation: tact and diplomacy in dealing with students and students’ family members, relate well with a diverse student population, at times address an upset or irate student, maintain confidentiality in working with student information
• Ability to adapt to new procedures quickly and accurately; must be able to use independent judgment and discretion when processing applications and responding to enquiries
• Ability to work in a high volume environment and ability to work well under pressure

Assets (Nonessential):

• Familiarity with the University’s student information system or with a comparable system is highly desirable
• Familiarity with financial budgeting tools and resources is desirable

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Adaptable
• Communicator
• Efficient
• Organized
• Problem solver
• Team player

Closing Date: 09/03/2024, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: USW 

Appointment Type: Budget – Term; This is an approximate 7-month term position.

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:

USW Pay Band 12 — $79,874. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $102,147. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 

Job Category: Student Services

Recruiter: Fiona Chan

Lived Experience Statement

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

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