Financial Aid Advisor

Conestoga College; Kitchener; Híbrido; CAD 55.000 - 75.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Conestoga College is seeking a Full-Time Financial Aid Advisor to support students with OSAP and funding sources. The role involves processing applications, interpreting policies, and coordinating with campus departments to ensure timely financial support.

The position is on the Doon campus with a hybrid schedule (on-site 2–3 days, remote 2–3 days) in Kitchener, ON, and requires work to be performed in Ontario.

Formación

• Two-year diploma is required.
• Minimum three years of practical experience in student or client services.
• Direct OSAP and financial aid experience is required.
• Experience with sensitive information and FIPPA legislation is expected.
• Ability to interpret and explain complex policies and procedures.

Responsabilidades

• Interpret and apply OSAP policies outlined by MCURES.
• Assess application data to determine OSAP eligibility.
• Review supporting documentation from government, education, and institutions.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy compliance.
• Advise students on funding programs and budgeting.
• Process OSAP funding and account reconciliations.
• Represent Student Financial Services at college events.

Conocimientos

Strong communication

Client service

Excel

Microsoft Office

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Policy interpretation

Teamwork

Educación

Two-year diploma in business, communications, social sciences, French, French studies or related field

Herramientas

Microsoft Office (Excel)

Descripción del empleo

Position Summary

Full-Time Support Staff, replacement position

(First consideration for support staff and academic positions will be given to internal applicants in accordance with the respective collective agreements)

The Financial Aid Advisor supports students by providing expert guidance on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and other funding sources. This role involves processing financial aid applications, interpreting policy, resolving complex issues and collaborating across departments to ensure students receive timely and accurate financial support.

Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the department's needs through a hybrid work arrangement, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with 2-3 days on-site at the Doon campus, located at 299 Doon Valley Drive in Kitchener, ON, and 2-3 days working remotely.

Responsibilities

OSAP

• Interpret and apply OSAP policies outlined by the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security (MCURES)
• Assess application data to determine student eligibility for provincial and federal funding
• Review complex and sensitive supporting documentation from government agencies, education and financial institutions, medical professionals, social and legal services, etc.
• Validate the authenticity of documents and professional credentials
• Review French-language OSAP forms and refer to the Bilingual Advisor or the Ministry for processing
• Review student citizenship status and residency history to confirm eligibility for OSAP
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and privacy standards
• Identify and elevate atypical applications for special case assessment
• Write and maintain internal process guides and manuals
• Report suspected fraud to the Ministry in conjunction with the Associate Registrar

Financial aid advising

• Advise students on funding programs, eligibility, budgeting and potential options
• Meet with students to provide support on complex financial aid inquiries
• Verify the accuracy of financial need assessments
• Offer budget planning and money management guidance for students
• Troubleshoot issues with the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC)
• Recommend financial aid options for students with complex financial or family situations
• Refer students in emotional distress due to financial hardship to financial support programs or campus support services, where appropriate

Academic progress reviews

• Analyze student academic performance to determine OSAP eligibility
• Review student discontinuance decisions and apply academic penalties to the OSAP file
• Analyze cases of academic failure or non-participation
• Issue academic progress penalties (e.g., probation, restriction)
• Assess student documentation to determine continued funding eligibility; reassess and reinstate OSAP eligibility for students who meet the terms of their probation or restriction

Appeals

• Analyze student OSAP issues and recommend appropriate appeals
• Ensure required documentation is collected and submitted
• Review Personal Circumstance Review (PCR) requests for academic progress penalties and provide recommendations to the appeal committee
• Update OSAP applications with PCR outcomes and process any resulting changes

Funding

• Administer OSAP funding, enrolment confirmations, and account reconciliations
• Process student refunds and loan repayments
• Monitor NSLSC transactions and resolve funding or account issues

Events

• Represent Student Financial Services at college recruitment events

Qualifications

• A two-year diploma in business, communications, social sciences, French, French studies or related field is required
• Minimum three years of practical experience in student or client services and experience working with multiple large database systems, ideally in an educational environment
• Direct experience working with OSAP, other financial aid or social assistance programs, including eligibility criteria or case management, is required
• Experience with sensitive and confidential information and understanding of FIPPA legislation
• Strong communication and client service skills, with the ability to respond with tact, diplomacy, integrity, and professionalism
• Ability to interpret and explain complex government and institutional policies and procedures
• Ability to deliver professional, efficient customer service in high-demand environments
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly in Excel
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills to interpret policy and address student concerns effectively
• Ability to communicate clearly with diverse student populations, including those whose first language is not English, students with disabilities and students at high risk of academic failure
• Comfortable working both independently and in a team environment