Canadian (Out-of-Province) Student Aid Officer
About this role
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Scholarship and Student Aid Office
McGill’s Scholarship and Student Aid Office (SSAO) advises McGill students on funding options, budgeting, and debt management. They disburse all provincial, federal, and US student aid funding, and help with government aid information and documentation. They offer an Entrance Bursary Program, Entrance Scholarships, an In-Course Financial Aid Program (loans and bursaries) and a Work Study Program based on financial need.
Position Summary
Under the direction of the Associate Director, Scholarships and Student Aid, plans, develops and implements procedures, policies and processes to support the delivery and administration of student aid programs with a specialization in Canadian Financial Aid.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provides onboarding and training of new staff. Provides mentorship and shadowing for new Student Aid Associates.
- Counsels and advises students on financial assistance programs including government aid, institutional aid and external award programs.
- Advises students on budget and debt management by taking into account various factors such as a student’s economic background, parental contribution, loan repayment terms, employment opportunities, satisfactory academic progress, earning potential at graduation, projected living expenses, projected career path, etc.
- Counsels students to ensure they understand their total debt load and repayment information. Informs students on potential cause and effect of failure to repay. Explains the different interest relief programs available.
- Advises students on the various Institutional Aid Programs available at McGill, i.e., Entrance and In-Course Financial Aid, Work Study, Accessibility Aid, Mobility & Enriched Educational Opportunity Awards, Tuition Fee Deferrals, etc. Provides advice and guidance to students on the preparation of application and supporting documentation.
- Interviews undergraduate and graduate students to assess financial need and determine level of assistance and appropriate award type, i.e., loan, bursary, etc., to be provided through University funds.
- Performs Online Assessments for need-based financial aid applications.
- Performs final review and approval of on-line need assessments for newly-accepted students, i.e., need-based Entrance Bursary program. Receives applications from first reader (Student Aid Associate) and finalizes award decisions.
- Reviews student applications for admissibility to the University’s Work Study Program. Reviews and makes recommendations on exceptional cases and appeals.
- Oversees the maintenance of Cost Tables (student cost of attendance) including documentation on research, contacts and calculations. Updates cost table each academic year ensuring tuition and fees reflect the various rates of tuition and liaises with various faculties to ensure accurate representation of program requirements.
- Participates in new initiatives that support the delivery of financial aid services to students.
- Analyses complex problems and recommends solutions. Implements procedures or systems that support the unit’s operations and ensure that services meet or exceed established quality requirements.
- Keeps abreast of developments in all student financial assistance programs. Liaises with student aid advisors in other universities and provinces. Responds to inquiries and provides advice and guidance to students, parents, faculties and academic advisors.
- Conducts workshops / sessions on budget techniques and financial management. Implements student outreach activities, i.e., presentations, focus groups, targets students with unmet need, etc. Participates in Financial Literacy / Wellness events.
- Represent unit on academic/curriculum policies which impact students’ ability to acquire government student financial aid.
- Represent unit on internal and external committees, professional associations and at University recruitment / orientation events, i.e., Discover McGill, Open House, Campus Connect, etc.
- Works on special projects under the direction of the Associate Director, Scholarships & Student Aid.
- Manages the Satisfactory Academic Progress Reporting, as well as enrollment reporting (<60% and 60-100%).
- Ensures the office liaises with and follows up with students.
- Assists and advocates for students in the appeal process using expertise to guide and strengthen their cases.
- Revises and updates key communication documents (i.e., SSAO website, communications in advance of the next academic cycle. Ensures promotional communication tools on Canadian Student Aid are reviewed and updated for distribution across campus and at campus events).
- Acts as main contact for 12 Government aid jurisdictions.
- Acts as the Canadian Government aid specialist for Canadian student casework. As part of the Financial Aid Counsellors’ group, recommends need assessment guidelines for Entrance and In-Course Financial Aid. Reviews trends, raises issues and advocates for adjustments.
- Participates as member of the Ontario Administrators of Student Financial Aid Association (OASFAA) and Canadian Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (CASFAA) including conference attendance and community forums.
- Acts as specialist on need analysis and assessment of In-Course Financial Aid applications from the Canadian (non-Quebec) student body.
- Participates in the annual review and implementation of escalation guidelines
- Acts as resource person to staff and students with regards to the Canadian student population. Ensures information directed at Canadian students on the Student Aid website is up-to-date and accurate.
- Forges working relationships with other McGill units who also support Canadian students.
- Plans, develops and implements procedures, policies and processes to support the delivery and administration of Canadian Government aid (12 different government aid jurisdiction including OSAP, BCAid, etc).
- Keeps abreast of new developments and informs the Director and Associate Director of issues affecting Canadian students.
- Collaborates with the AFE program policy specialist to ensure that programs recognition is extended across Canada.
- Establishes partnership with other McGill units and acts as the academic liaison and the champion of government aid for academic program consideration.
- Liaises with OSAP and other Canadian financial aid agencies to resolve problem files.
- Assists the Associate Director with financial forecasting models and evidence-based trends. Provides statistics and various data and information.
- Provides Financial Wellness workshops, maintains our outreach financial literacy portfolio and coordinates representation at different on-campus events.
- Supervises and oversees the Ontario Student Aid Associate and the ROC Student Aid Associate.
- Works on special projects under the direction of the Associate Director, Scholarships & Student Aid.
Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities:
- Knowledge of student financial aid programs.
- Experience advising students one-on-one
- Public relations experience, an asset.
- Must be detail-oriented to manage and update constant changes of information.
- High degree of flexibility in managing multiple files simultaneously, with the ability to prioritize and meet strict deadlines.
- High level of interpersonal, organizational, presentation and interviewing skills.
- Client-focused and service oriented, with an ability to effectively communicate with internal and external contacts.
- Able to work autonomously and as part of a team.
- Proven ability to deal with confidential information with discretion.
- Must have demonstrated experience and ease with new technological applications.
- Computer literate with all Microsoft Office tools, MINERVA, Banner SIS and BSA.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills:
- Ability to communicate effectively in both French and English, spoken and written.
Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day-to-day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4-Fluent on a scale of 0-4.
Minimum Education and Experience:
Annual Salary:
Job Profile:
MPEX-SAF2B - Student Services - Professional 2Hours per Week:
Supervisor:
Position End Date (If applicable):
Deadline to Apply:
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.