Position Job Title: Student Loans and Awards Officer

Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (Onsite)

Reports To: Manager, Records, Registration & Scheduling

Overview

The University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) is an innovative and digitally oriented institution that prepares graduates for leadership in a digital world.

Academic programs are aligned to meet the demands of business and industry, providing students with the skills and knowledge needed now and for the future.

UNF’s vision is to offer innovative education and research for a digital world.

Primary Purpose

The Student Loans and Awards Officer is an Office of the Registrar team member, reporting directly to the Registrar, with specific responsibility using a variety of specialized skills to promote and support the overall institutions strategic plan. The Student Loans and Awards Officer will connect undergraduate and graduate students with government aid including but not limited to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), entrance awards and scholarships. These resources help make post-secondary education more accessible and recognize students’ academic, extracurricular and community achievements. The incumbent will process large volumes of financial aid applications and is responsible for disbursing all financial aid and trust funds to students. This role is required to apply analysis and reasoning, as well as possessing the interpersonal skills necessary to review the cases of students receiving aid and propose the best approach to resolve any issues that may arise.

Specific Responsibilities

The Student Loans and Awards Officer

• Designs programs and services to assist current and prospective students to obtain and manage their resources throughout their post-secondary career.
• Develops detailed action plans and independently initiates the cycle for each aid and award program.
• Coordinates and administers aid and awards in partnership with multiple stakeholders and external agencies.
• Determines the number of scholarships, awards, and other financial opportunities to allocate based on funding available in university operating and trusts, student enrolment levels, student application numbers, etc.
• Analyze how University, Ministry, and stakeholder policies interact with a student’s ability to obtain and sustain funding and identify potential issues and develop solutions.
• Conduct analyses to determine the most appropriate and effective financial assistance options available to students.
• Develop customized strategies to help students overcome financial obstacles.
• Interview students regarding financial issues, family history, personal choices, academic issues and assess and evaluate the information provided.
• Adjudicate applications and determine students’ eligibility to qualify for aid and awards, based on mathematical need calculations, merit and non-merit-based criteria, supporting documentation, program eligibility criteria.
• Monitor payments and overpayments and determine student eligibility for government and university aid and awards.
• Interpret information provided through various government policy documents and processing guidelines to ensure that existing office procedures comply with inspections, audits, and government policies.
• Provide confidential advice to students including, but not limited to, course and program requirements, family and status changes, academic performance and income and the impact that these changes have on aid and award eligibility.
• Respond to inquiries received in-person, as well as via email, phone or online, and provide students with information regarding aid and award terms, eligibility requirements and applications.
• Maintain accurate and complete records for all students who applied for or received aid and awards and authorize changes to the records as required.
• Develops, maintains, and produces reports and student’s information for the Registrar as requested.
• Provide ongoing training and support to existing staff, as well as onboarding training to new Office of the Registrar staff.

Position Requirements

To be successful as a Student Loans and Awards Officer, individuals must be committed to developing, maintaining and demonstrating the following:

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to set priorities when encountering conflicting demands
• Ability to interpret and apply University and government policies and regulations
• Ability to exercise mature judgement, tact and discretion
• Demonstrated accuracy-oriented approach to processes and documentation
• Proven ethical and objective decision-making and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent client service when providing information and services to colleagues, students, and the public
• Advanced information research skills
• Intermediate level skills in the use of standard computer applications including word processing (Word), spreadsheets (Excel), and email.
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Ability to work cooperatively with students, faculty and staff
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality

Education and Experience:

• Minimum (2) two-year post-secondary credential in Business, International Business, International Relations, Office Administration, Information Technology, or a related discipline (equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered)
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience working in a Registrar department (or similar), with demonstrate knowledge of education systems and credential assessment.
• Excellent communication, organization skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated self-starter with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Basic training in office practices, customer service and communication.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications; advanced Excel skills preferred.
• Experience using student information systems and related software including but not limited to Banner, Colleague, PeopleSoft, and Salesforce is considered a strong asset.

Diversity, inclusion and equity

The University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) is strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusivity within its community and especially invites applications from all qualified candidates. Racialized persons / persons of color, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas are encouraged to apply.

We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, please advise to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.