Financial Aid Officer

Description:

As a Financial Aid Officer, the incumbent is responsible to independently assist students, parents, faculty and departments in collaborating, anticipating, facilitating, identifying, and resolving multi-tiered complex issues related to funding sources to finance a student’s education.

Administers government loan and grant programs to help students finance their education, which positively impacts Fleming’s student retention and its fiscal health. The Officer exercises discretion, independent judgment and critical analysis of a student’s situation with respect to developing educational financing plans for students; ensuring regulatory compliance with frequently-changing Ministry standards; and interpreting complex Ministry requirements for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), as well as out-of-province government aid programming.

Supports student retention by advising students, parents, staff, and faculty regarding the required policies and procedures of the OSAP program administration. Counsels students with respect to the financial implications/complications who are looking to withdraw from the College or reduce their course load, especially if they are receiving OSAP funding.

Supports student retention by providing academic advising, in tandem with, knowledge of all services and processes in the Office of the Registrar that impacts the student journey.

Develops and delivers presentations/workshops on student financial assistance, financial planning and budgeting to departments and clients within the college and outside of the college to area high school students, third party community agencies (e.g. OW, ODSP, employment training centres, settlement centres, etc.).

Allocates federal/provincial student loan funding and institutional funds to full-time and part-time students, verifying application information and determining the validity of documentation.

As Subject Matter Expert when it comes to maintaining knowledge and the stewardship of OSAP regulations the incumbent represents Financial Aid on Fleming committees specifically related to strategic planning and operational projects and procedures. Represents Fleming on provincial and federal financial aid association committees and working groups.

Makes independent decisions that support the interest of students and the college with a proven ability to handle student, public, agency and staff inquiries while exercising a high degree of confidence, discretion, diplomacy and tact.