Financial Aid Officer, Student Awards and Fees

at  Laurentian University

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration / Accounting or Finance ;
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience providing detailed explanation of policies and procedures related to government financial aid programs;
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills;
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office including Word and Excel, Google Workspace;
• Experience using data management systems, creating and manipulating spreadsheets
• Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural, organizational, customer service and problem-solving skills;
• Extremely good organizational ability and ability to prioritize a diverse workload required;
• Ability to handle large quantity of work under pressure and to meet deadlines;
• Demonstrated ability with fast and accurate data entry; ability to exercise judgement, accuracy and attention to detail;
• Adaptability to new practices and procedures quickly and accurately;
• Expertise in working with confidential information and to ensure privacy of student information is maintained at all times;
• Familiarity with the university’s student information systems or with a comparable system;
• Verbal and written competency in both official languages (French and English) is required.
  The official University hours of operation shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during, and including, the months from September to April, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m Monday through Friday during and including May to August., amounting to thirty-three and three-quarter (33.75) hours per week.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT - AKI GAABIJIDEBENDAAGWAK

We would like to acknowledge the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850. We also further recognize that Laurentian University is located on the traditional lands of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and that the City of Greater Sudbury, also includes the traditional lands of the Wahnapitae First Nation. We extend our deepest respect to Indigenous peoples - as a sign of our continued relationship we will support Laurentian University’s Truth and Reconciliation Task Force Recommendations. Miigwech. Listen to it in Anishinaabemowin.
Laurentian University. Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. All Rights Reserved. 2023.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Manager of Student Awards, Fees and myLaurentian Hub, the Financial Aid Officer is responsible for administering all Financial Aid programs at Laurentian University. Financial Aid programs include the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and OSAP affiliated programs, the student assistance programs of the federal government and other Canadian provinces and territories, Government sponsored scholarship and bursary programs. The Financial Aid Officer regularly interprets and administers based on policies and procedures set by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) as well as Laurentian University admissions, registration, and financial aid policies.

• Responsible for the timely, efficient, and accurate collection, assessment, and storage of student Financial Aid record information as mandated by policy;
• Maintains current knowledge of all Financial Aid programs including eligibility requirements and implications of various decisions to act as a Financial Aid Specialist and advise clients on all financial assistance options available to them;
• Collects, prepares, and enters Financial Aid data onto student records, including but not limited to scholarships, bursaries, provincial and territorial loans, grants, and bursaries;
• Maintains current knowledge of all relevant, regulations, and policies for all Financial Aid programs, as well as acting as a resource to Student Awards and Fees Clerks and Student Service Representative as well as other department/stakeholders;
• Monitors student records and progress in relation to Financial Aid programs and communicates changes and updates to students;
• Research, analyze, and resolve student issues;
• Ensures that all Financial Aid entries and changes are processed in a timely manner;
• Advises students on and confirms interest free status for Financial Aid programs;
• Responsible for all incoming Financial Aid inquiries while responding accurately and in a timely manner, escalating inquiries to Coordinator or Manager when necessary;
• Determine eligibility for refunds for students as requested;
• Assist Financial Aid Coordinator with collection of materials and files for audit purposes;
• Administer all Government funded student assistance programs (Ontario Student Assistance Program and the federal, provincial, and territorial programs from provinces and territories outside of Ontario). This includes but is not limited to editing applications prior to submission, processing of appeals, entering information into internal and external information systems, releasing funding, and providing information to students on procedures for negotiation of funding and student obligations;
• Contact National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) on student’s behalf to assist the students with any issues and verify negotiated funding;
• Work with Financial Literacy on the creation and the execution of the communication plan, including website, to ensure that students, faculty, and administrative staff are informed of important deadlines and policies;
• Respond to inquiries as required and assists at the service counter when necessary (all communication mediums);
• Provide support and backup to the Student Awards and Fees Clerk and Student Service Representative, including but not limited to triaging, and assisting with inquiries of all types and working at the service counter when necessary;
• Other duties as assigned.