Financial Aid Counsellor

The University of Ottawa—A crossroads of cultures and ideas

The University of Ottawa is home to a dynamic community of over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroad of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We believe in the power of representation, and that increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff supports this objective. Our goal is to provide students with the best possible learning experience, in an environment that reflects the diversity of its people, their ideas, and their identities.

We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. Our employees come together around the shared purpose of constant improvement, personal development, service excellence, teamwork and a passion for learning with a desire to make uOttawa and the world a better place. Everyone's contributions are valued, we all play a part in making uOttawa a world-class institution. Most importantly, we make it possible for you to achieve your full potential. Because at uOttawa, you belong

**Position purpose**:
Playing a vital role in the determination of funding available for each student, the Financial Aid Counsellor conducts student need analysis, performs federal and provincial verifications, certifies grant and loan eligibility, provides financial aid counselling, makes professional judgment decisions regarding student aid eligibility, appeals and facilitate problem solving with clients.

**In this role, your responsibilities will include**:
Counsels students and parents regarding all aspects of financial aid process. Interviews, evaluates, and advises students regarding eligibility for financial programs based on need, goals and personal information.

Determines the urgency of financial need and severity to grant emergency loans, food vouchers and emergency funding bursary.

Monitors and evaluates satisfactory academic progress of students. Reviews and resolves student appeals relating to academic progress. Restricts student from receiving additional funding when academic performance has not been met.

Establishes and documents all professional judgment decisions and corrections, justifying actions taken that will withstand review by ministry auditors.

**What you will bring**:
Postsecondary education in a related field or work experience that is deemed equivalent;
At least 3 to 5 years of experience in a similar position;
2 years of experience working with procedures, regulations and methods that govern government financial aid;
Experience in customer service dealing with diversified and vulnerable client, and acting as an advising resource person;
Experience in counselling, conflict resolution and crises management;
Awareness of confidentiality as well as informed consent and accessibility at all times

Ability to deliver presentations in front of various client bases;
Knowledge of postsecondary education programs and academic rules and regulations;
Experience in analyzing files and creative problem solving

Experience with computer systems, multiple database and Microsoft software including intermediate/advanced knowledge of Excel;
Experience in personal budget analysis and ability to perform mathematical calculation and validation

Organisational skills, ability to work under pressure and with strict deadlines;
Good interpersonal and communication skills (sound judgement, tact and diplomacy);
Experience in administrative writing;
Bilingualism (written and oral communication);
This position may require the incumbent to work outside of regular office hours and on weekends.

**Key Competencies at uOttawa**:
Here are the required competencies for all or our employees at uOttawa:
**Planning**: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realise an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.

**Initiative**: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.

**Client Service Orientation**: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.

**Teamwork and Cooperation**: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.