Financial Aid Advisor

Closing Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST

Vacancy Type: Support Staff - Full-time

Position Summary

(First consideration for Support Staff and Academic positions will be given to internal applicants in accordance with the respective Collective Agreements)

The Financial Aid Advisor support students by providing expert guidance on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and other funding sources. This role involves processing financial aid applications, interpreting policy, resolving complex issues and collaborating across departments to ensure students receive timely and accurate financial support.

Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the department's needs through a hybrid work arrangement, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with 2-3 days on-site at the Doon campus, located at 299 Doon Valley Drive in Kitchener, ON, and 2-3 days working remotely.

Responsibilities

OSAP

- Interpret and apply OSAP policies outlined by the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES)

- Assess application data to determine student eligibility for provincial and federal funding

- Review complex and sensitive supporting documentation from government agencies, education and financial institutions, medical professionals, social and legal services, etc.

- Validate the authenticity of documents and professional credentials

- Reviews French-language OSAP forms and refers to the Bilingual Advisor or the Ministry for processing

- Review student citizenship status and residency history to confirm eligibility for OSAP

- Maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and privacy standards

- Identify and escape atypical applications for special case assessment

- Write and maintain internal process guides and manuals

- Report suspected fraud to the Ministry in conjunction with the Associate Registrar

- Advise students on funding programs, eligibility, budgeting and potential options

- Meets with students to provide support on complex financial aid inquiries

- Verify the accuracy of financial need assessments

- Provide information on award, scholarship and bursary opportunities

- Offer budget planning and money management guidance for students

- Troubleshoot issues with the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC)

- Educate students on loan repayment and Government Repayment Assistance Programs (RAP)

- Recommend financial aid options for students with complex financial or family situations

- Refer students in emotional distress due to financial hardship to financial support programs or campus support services, where appropriate

Academic progress reviews

- Analyze student academic performance to determine OSAP eligibility

- Review student discontinuance decisions and apply academic penalties to the OSAP file

- Analyze cases of academic failure or non-participation

- Issue academic progress penalties (e.g., probation, restriction)

- Assess student documentation to determine continued funding eligibility; reassess and reinstate OSAP eligibility for students who meet the terms of their probation or restriction

Appeals

- Analyze student OSAP issues and recommend appropriate appeals

- Ensure required documentation is collected and submitted

- Review Personal Circumstance Review (PCR) requests for academic progress penalties and provide recommendations to the appeal committee

- Update OSAP applications with PCR outcomes and process any resulting changes

Events

- Represent Student Financial Services at college recruitment events, delivering presentations to promote programs, opportunities, initiatives and financial literacy

- Introduce OSAP to first-time borrowers during student orientation and deliver ongoing financial aid presentations to current students

Qualifications

- A two-year diploma in business, communications, social sciences, French, French studies or related field is required

- Minimum three years of practical experience in student or client services and experience working with multiple large database systems, ideally in an educational environment

- Direct experience working with OSAP, other financial aid or social assistance programs, including eligibility criteria or case management, is required

- Experience with sensitive and confidential information and understanding of FIPPA legislation

- Strong communication and client service skills, with the ability to respond with tact, diplomacy, integrity, and professionalism

- Ability to interpret and explain complex government and institutional policies and procedures

- Ability to deliver professional, efficient customer service in high-demand environments

- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly in Excel

- Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills to interpret policy and address student concerns effectively

- Ability to communicate clearly with diverse student populations, including those whose first language is not English, students with disabilities and students at high-risk of academic failure

- Comfortable working both independently and in a team environment

Conestoga College is a leader in polytechnic education. Our career-focused education, training, and applied research programs prepare students for success, support industry, and workforce needs and promote economic prosperity throughout our region and across Ontario.

We thank all applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Conestoga College is committed to workplace diversity and provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources via the Contact page.

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