Job Description / Duties

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 Quebec’s Financial Assistance program (Aide Financière aux Études (AFE).

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 Bursaries, McGill Loans, Work Study, Mobility & Enriched Educational Opportunity Awards, Tuition Fee Deferrals, etc. Accordingly, 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 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.
Researches, produces and 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 charged, i.e., international, de-regulated, Quebec, out of province, government exempted, etc. Acts as contact for cost request forms from external organizations.
Participates in new initiatives that support the delivery of financial aid services to students.
Analyzes 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 counsellors 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 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.

PORTFOLIO: Quebec Student Aid Administration and Program Policy - Aide financière aux études

Plans, develops and implements procedures, policies and processes to support the delivery and administration of Quebec’s Aide financière aux études (AFE) program.
Keeps abreast of new developments and informs Director and Associate Director of issues affecting Quebec students.
Acts as AFE program policy specialist. Responds to policy and procedural changes put into effect by the Ministry of Education and acts on same.
Is the primary liaison with AFE personnel with the Ministry of Education (MES) on all student related issues.
Business expert in the development or improvement of McGill’s in-house Enrolment Verification Assessment system for AFE.
Acts as specialist for Quebec student casework. As part of the Financial Aid Counselors’ group, sets need assessment guidelines for Entrance and In-course aid. Reviews trends, raises issues and advocates for adjustments.
Acts as liaison with colleagues within the Quebec University community. Represents unit on the Association québécoise des responsables de l'aide financière aux étudiants (AQRAFE).
Represents unit as member of CASFAA, the Canadian Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Attends annual conference.
Establishes partnership with other McGill units and acts as the academic liaison and the champion of government aid for academic program consideration.
Manages student appeals / derogation. Provides students guidelines on preparation of appeals and supporting documentation. Liaises with AFE to resolve problem files.
Responsible for the weekly electronic file transfers to Quebec confirming student status and study information for McGill and Macdonald Campus students. Makes final decisions.
Assists the Associate Director with financial forecasting models and evidence-based trends. Provides statistics and various data and information.
Performs other related duties and participates in special projects.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

Advocates for vulnerable and under-represented students. Provides personalized support and connection for this group, i.e., Refugees, Indigenous, students with disabilities, etc.
Unit liaison in support of the World University Services Canada (WUSC) Program for WUSC Local Committee Co-Chairs and main contact for all financial matters to support WUSC refugee students at McGill
Acts as primary partner with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and Student Wellness Hub with respect to disability recognition and assessing need / granting aid to students for ADHD / learning disability testing.
Provides Financial Wellness workshops to targeted groups, i.e., Indigenous students through liaison with First People’s House, Youth-in-Care and Black high school students from under-served neighborhoods through liaison with McGill Outreach team.

Qualifications / Required Skills

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:
English, written and spoken.
French, written, and spoken.

Additional Information

Minimum Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree 3 Years Related Experience

Hours per Week: 33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor: Associate Director Student Aid

Salary: (MPEX Grade 05) $64,210.00 - $96,310.00

Contact Information

Use this link to apply:
https://mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/mcgill_careers/job/Brown-Student-Serv/Qubec-Student-Aid-Officer_JR0000020379

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