Financial Aid Officer

Financial Aid Officer

Tracking Code: req1506

Faculty/Department: Office of the Registrar

Number of Positions: 1

Appointment Type: Full-Time Continuing

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Salary Range: Level 8 - Starting Salary, Step 1 $69,288

Posting Date: March 11, 2025

Closing Date: March 18, 2025 (7:00 pm EST)

Job Summary: The Financial Aid Officer plays a key role as a front-line representative at Ontario Tech. The Financial Aid Officer provides specialized customer service to current and prospective students, their families, staff, faculty and community members by providing information and resources on how to successfully fund a post-secondary education. This position ensures effective and accurate administration of institutional, federal and provincial government student financial aid programs, programs include the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), internal and external bursaries, scholarships, and awards, University Works programs and another provincial student aid

Responsibilities/accountabilities:

• Provides specialized customer service in person, by phone and email to advise students on their individual and complex financial situations using multiple systems. E.g.: MET, Banner, OSAP Portals, QNomy and MyCampus, NSLSC portal and other provinces portals
• Assesses student situations and provides potential OSAP appeal options and other possible options for funding and provides assistance in emergencies as required
• Reviews aid applications in tandem with the Student Awards team
• Refers escalating students to Senior Financial Aid Officer or Senior Student Awards Officer as appropriate
• Provides referrals to departments or faculties through examination of students concerns or issues (ie residence, mental health, human resources, academic advisors, etc)
• Liaises with other departments and faculties to ensure that the Financial Aid office has correct information on dates and internal academic procedures/processes that may impact a students financial situation
• Liaises with faculty, student advisors, student life and finance to identify and assist students with financial issues
• Develops/delivers presentations/workshops to current students and other stakeholders across Ontario Tech and externally (e.g. prospective students and families).

• Analyzes, assesses and interprets students OSAP files and provides knowledgeable information and advice to current and prospective students on eligibility for full and part time OSAP loans
• Processes complex application documentation and changes on multiple systems
• Evaluates/processes OSAP appeals in compliance with MTCU documentation requirements, OSAP policy guidelines, and appeal criteria requisites to maximize funding for students
• Investigates and solves problems relating to current or past OSAP loans, processes related appeals and assists with ministry authority appeals
• Uses the download files on the OSAP portal system to ensure the accurate and timely processing and distribution of students OSAP funding
• Completes all required administration duties for OSAP including: application edits and processing, distribution, changes to course load, withdrawals, and academic progress Administers out of province government aid programs for non-Ontario students at Ontario Tech
• Reviews government aid processes and policies and adjust internal processes accordingly

• Assists in the administration of bursary and other award programs
• Assess bursary applications
• Answers student inquiries, directs students to the correct application portals, analyzes and investigates concerns and refers escalations to the internal contact

• Analyzes students OSAP and tuition accounts through reports, Banner and in-person to determine eligibility for OSAP deferments, and monitor the application of those deferments to student accounts
• Communicates with students on the status of their tuition account and answer escalated questions from the ICS team pertaining to outstanding balances
• Administers payment plans for students, including assessment for eligibility and monitoring payments for the current term of study. Liaise with finance staff to assist students with outstanding balances from previous terms
• Monitors student accounts with deferments and payment plans for compliance
• Processes refunds, directing funds to appropriate sources for students in receipt of awards or OSAP

• Liaises with staff in Information and Client Services for OSAP transactional process administration
• Informs and trains ICS staff on any internal or Ministry process changes that impact day to day transactional processes
• Interprets Policies and Procedures established by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, applying them to student OSAP administration

Required Skills:

• Creative problem solving, analytical, decision making skills, superior judgement, tact and diplomacy
• The ability to analyze need, and interpret and apply complex policies
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; including listening, writing, editing, facilitating and presentation delivery

Required Education:

• Completion of a 3-year post-secondary/college/university program in Business, Human Resources, Accounting or Office Administration
• Bachelors degree in a related area preferred
• An equivalent combination of education and related experience may be considered

• Verification of Academic credentials may be required

Required Experience:

• Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience of related experience, preferably in a post-secondary environment
• Experience in a University environment, Financial Aid, Customer Service, Administration, Software experience (Banner, MET, Excel)

• Thorough knowledge of government student aid programs, University, external aid and award programs
• Excellent knowledge of university policies and procedures
• Knowledge on all changes that occur with OSAP and institutional systems
• Knowledge and awareness of provincial and federal issues regarding financial aid within the university system
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel, and Banner Student Information System

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their resume. Applications will be accepted until March 18, 2025 or until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate all applications received; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

This position falls within the bargaining unit represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the university and the OPSEU. To the extent that policies are not included in the collective agreement, employment will also be governed by the universitys policies which may also be found on our website https://ontariotechu.ca and which may be amended from time-to-time.

Ontario Tech University is actively committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenization and decolonization (EDIID), and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from First Nations, Metis, Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and those eligible to work in Canada, will be given priority.

Ontario Tech University respects peoples different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle. If you require accommodation, please contact Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the universitys Accessibility Policy

The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.

Job Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Expected Start Date: 3/24/2025

Information :

• Company : Ontario Tech University
• Position : Financial Aid Officer
• Location : Oshawa, ON
• Country : CA