Financial Aid Access Specialist

**Financial Aid Access Specialist**:

- Employment Group
- VIUFA
- Position Number
- 00393
- Division
- Student Affairs
- Department
- Financial Aid and Awards
- Campus
- Nanaimo campus
- Location
- Nanaimo, British Columbia
- Country
- Canada
- Appointment Type
- temporary full-time
- Workload
- 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
- Pay Level
- VIUFA F1: $55,341 - $87,952 per annum (prorated if part-time).
- Starting Salary
- Technicians are placed on the F1 salary scale based on education, experience and placement criteria as outlined in the Collective Agreement, to an initial maximum of $74,504 per annum.
- Start:

- As soon as possible.
- Appointment End Date
- 28-Mar-2025
- Posting Restrictions
- Appointment may end early or be extended.
- Applicant Documents
- CV/Resume, Cover Letter, Qualifications, Referees/References
- Posted Date
- 10-Oct-2024
- Closing Date
- 23-Oct-2024
- Job Reference
- 2566

**Duties**:
Vancouver Island University is committed to providing inclusive and responsive support to students that facilitates and enhances their learning and success. We are seeking a skillful, compassionate, knowledgeable, and motivated professional who is committed to supporting at-risk students so they may fulfill their post-secondary goals and pursue a meaningful career path.

The Financial Aid Access Specialist (FAAS) role is critical in assisting students who may have had no previous support in their educational journey. We are looking for a confident and highly adept professional to advance VIU's reputation as a nationally recognized institution for fostering open access education. You will develop initiatives that support marginalized students, primarily former youth-in-care, from the prospect stage through to graduation. Your strategic approach will be complemented by your compassionate skills when meeting students one-on-one.

Reporting to the Manager of Financial Aid and Awards and working in partnership with the existing Financial Aid Access Specialist, you will also be responsible for contributing to the Student Affairs Foundation Plan by providing advice and logístical support to marginalized and vulnerable students that have experienced barriers to post-secondary education.

Case Management, Communication and People Skills:

- Provide individualized service to students from the inquiry stage through to graduation. Assist in navigating the university system and maintain regular contact with students to track their academic progress. Incorporate as part of the individualized service, a wrap-around care approach that integrates connection with other VIU departments as appropriate.
- Support students whose funding has been denied by guiding them through the appeal process.
- Refer students to appropriate supports including: academic advising, off-campus housing, Services for Aboriginal Students, Accessibility Services and counselling services.

Financial Aid Support and Reports:

- Participate on the VIU internal Scholarship, Award and Bursary selection committee.
- Complete bi-annual reports on student progress and potential areas of concern. Reports are to include metrics where appropriate.

Leadership:

- Interview, recommend for hire, train, and supervise Financial Aid and Awards on-campus student employment roles as funding permits.
- Provide operational coverage for the Manager of Financial Aid and Awards when required.
- Research and implement best practices on retaining marginalized students, particularly for former youth-in-care and other vulnerable populations.
- Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development as it pertains to at-risk students.

Relationship Building and Conflict Management:

- Build relationships with government and non-profit organizations that provide services to youth in and out of care and adults experiencing social and economic challenges.
- Regularly attend the Campus Navigator Community of Practice meetings facilitated by StudentAid BC. Participate in, and at times lead, committees related to supporting at risk students including Communication Team (FACT), Student Affairs Foundation Plan Oversight Team (SAFPOT), Youth Futures Education Fund (YFEF), VIU Collaborative, Assessment, Referral, and Education (CARE) Team, as well as other committees identified by the manager.
- Manage, maintain, and provide communication and information through various channels including updates to the Financial Aid and Awards website, brochures, handouts, information sessions, presentations, workshops, and orientations.

Strategic Planning & Research:

- Through research and best practices, identify barriers that limit access to post-secondary studies for marginalized students. Formulate and implement processes that alleviate or remove barriers so that students can achieve their academic goals.
- Develop intervention initiatives to minimize attrition and maximize retention.

**Required Qualifications**:
**Education**:
Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., social