Student Finance Officer

The City of Liverpool College; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in education seeks a dedicated Student Finance Advisor to support students financially during their studies. This role involves providing one-on-one guidance, processing financial support applications, and ensuring students are informed about their rights and responsibilities. The successful candidate will have a strong advisory background, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to equality and diversity. Join a supportive team that values professional development and offers generous benefits, including competitive salaries and wellbeing services. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in students' lives.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Competitive salary

Employee Benefits Platform

Wellbeing support

Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in an advisory/student support environment is essential.
• Strong communication skills to engage with diverse student groups.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial advice and guidance to students on funding options.
• Process applications for discretionary Learner Support funding.

Skills

Advisory Skills

Communication Skills

Empathy

Digital Literacy

Knowledge of Funding Regulations

Education

Minimum Grade C in English and Mathematics

Educated to Level 3

Tools

PayMyStudent Bursary Management System

Job description

Application Deadline: 2 December 2024

Department: Student Finance

Location: Liverpool

Compensation: £25,640 - £27,788 / year

Description

Student Finance has a key role to play in supporting students financially whilst they are attending College, by offering access to bursaries, free meals, access to a hardship fund and support for travel and childcare. This postholder will also be giving one to one support to students applying for financial support and further guidance on fees and welfare benefits, as well as having responsibility for processing and allocating financial support to students.

The successful candidate will have experience of working in an advisory/student support environment and experience and knowledge of student financial support processes and welfare benefits are key. You must have the ability to show an understanding of, and commitment to College policies and procedures, particularly equality and diversity. This post also requires some flexibility around working hours on occasion – for example during open evenings and enrolment periods.

Responsible to: Student Finance Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute fully to the mission and values statement of the College ensuring its effective implementation in all aspects of College life
• Provide enquirers and students with information, advice and guidance about fees, finance and funding for both further and higher education study
• Have a good working knowledge of the implications for study while receiving welfare benefits
• Conduct 1:1 interviews with students experiencing financial hardship and assess and process applications for discretionary Learner Support funding
• Assess and process applications for 16-19 Bursary funding
• Support student applications for Advanced Learner Loans
• Consider travel support appeals
• Refer enquirers to appropriate individuals and agencies, both inside and outside college
• Use and maintain appropriate records of financial and advice activities using the PayMyStudent bursary management system
• Prepare management information relating to student financial advice and support activities
• Assist in the creation and delivery of staff and student handbooks/guides and training sessions about fees, finance and funding
• Ensure students are aware of their rights, responsibilities and entitlement as a student at The City of Liverpool College
• Maintain a good working knowledge of student finance and funding regulations, and a commitment to keeping this knowledge up to date

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Essential:

• Minimum Grade C in English and Mathematics or equivalent
• Educated to Level 3
• Recent experience of working in an advice capacity/ student support service
• Ability to communicate effectively with a range of students both on an individual basis and in group settings
• Ability to empathise and engage with a range of students both on an individual basis and in group settings
• High level of digital literacy; to be able to use college systems and spreadsheets to manage student finance data
• Commitment to keep up to date with current and emerging funding guidance and legislation

Desirable:

• Recent experience of working with people as an advocate to access internal and external financial support
• Experience of developing relevant training materials and resources

Job Benefits

We really care about our people. As a member of College staff, you will have access to a wide range of benefits, wellbeing services and opportunities for professional development.

These include:

• Generous annual leave - We offer the highest holiday entitlement in the City Region
• Competitive salary - Our salaries are the highest within FE in the City Region
• Access to our Employee Benefits Platform, offering hundreds of discounts and savings
• Wellbeing support - Access to a free, independent and confidential 24 hour counselling support, as well as general wellbeing and lifestyle support through our platform and app
• Pension Scheme - Excellent pension provision, with memberships of Local Government Scheme, Teachers Pension Scheme and Aviva, depending on the role.