Financial Aid Coach

**About Durham College**:
Durham College (DC) is a leading post-secondary institution that supports students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to the ever-changing workforce.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Durham College offers a wide range of market-driven programs across multiple disciplines, including culinary management, farming and horticulture, business, IT, construction and trades, science and technology, health care, engineering, social and community services, media, art and design.

Our modern campuses in Oshawa and Whitby offer 145 programs - including six honours bachelor’s degrees and nine apprenticeship programs - to more than 13,700 full-time post-secondary and 2,300 apprenticeship students. In addition, more than 14,600 students participate in professional and part-time learning. More than 110,500 alumni represent the college, both locally and around the world.

A forward-looking organization committed to collaboration, innovation and sustainability, Durham College is ranked annually as one of the GTA’s Top 100 employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers and has been recognized as a Top 50 Research College in Canada, 10 times.

DC has an estimated annual economic impact of more than $913 million on Durham Region and is proud to be an active and engaged member of the communities we serve by contributing resources and expertise to enhance social and economic well-being through partnerships, investments and collaboration.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Student Support**:
Financial Aid coaching requires sensitivity and active listening skills, along with the ability to question without judgement, especially when working with students who are discouraged or have identified personal and financial barriers to reaching their academic goals.
- Coach students on an individual basis and in group sessions on financial aid matters, bursaries, budgeting and personal financial management by asking probing questions and providing a range of options and possible outcomes.
- Review and assess conditions for students with immediate financial challenges and accommodate through tuition fee deferrals, food or book vouchers, emergency bursaries or referral to extremal financial supports.
- Determine student eligibility for internal, external and government scholarships and grants.
- Coach and advise students on non-routine financial aid and appeal cases, assisting in the preparation for submission and reviewing of documentation for acceptability
- Review and makes decisions on OSAP and bursary appeal cases that are within the authority of the Financial Aid Office.
- Provide budget coaching to clients and when appropriate refer to outside sources of financial assistance programs.
- Plan, promote and execute financial aid activities that support recruitment, retention, and individual financial literacy of students.
- Work with academic advisors to support retention and continued financial support of at-risk students.
- Provide proactive support to individuals in distress to prevent physical or mental injury or harm. Make referrals to appropriate DC or external services and supports.
- Coach students on repayment options available to student borrowers, repayment assistance programs and on maintaining good standing on outstanding loan debt.

**Administrative and Records management**:

- Make case notes after client meetings where appropriate
- Enter and maintain Student OSAP records via Ministry and DC on-line systems.
- Identify and request missing information for file changes
- Review and update OSAP cost codes for new programs, additional program offerings, or program of study changes.

**Verification of and release of Aid funding**:

- Verify the accuracy of financial aid entitlements
- Analyse and verify student registration, academic status, academic progress and eligibility for student aid programs
- Approve distribution of financial aid loans, grants and bursaries in compliance with Ministry Policies.
- Work and verify multiple queues within the OSAP system that support the accuracy, eligibility, assessment and release of government aid funding.
- Evaluate and report academic progress resulting from withdrawals, failures, drops in course load, and multiple program changes.

**Marketing, Presentations/Workshops**:

- Develop, implement and deliver educational workshops regarding OSAP and alternative financial aid programs to students, parents, teachers, counsellors and external community agencies.
- Deliver OSAP repayment seminars and provide education to students to proactively manage OSAP default.
- Provide individual and group budgeting sessions to coach students on financial management skills
- Compose and edit material for print