Financial Aid Officer

Description

Ontario Institute of Health and Innovation (OIHI) is dedicated to providing high-quality education that meets the country’s labour needs, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared for successful and impactful careers that help maintain Canada’s long-term status as an international leader in quality of life. The college aims to lead in care and support services by empowering students with experiential learning that aligns with industry needs and nurtures workforce development for a healthier, more supportive world. Ontario Institute of Health and Innovation (OIHI) is managed by Global University Systems (GUS) Canada and is a part of the GUS Canada network of higher education institutions.

Position Job Title: Financial Aid Officer

Reports To: Manager, Financial Aid

Job Type: Full-Time On-Site, 40 hours/week, 11 AM – 8 PM

Description:

The Financial Aid Officer serves as a first point of contact for students seeking guidance and advise for funding options (primarily Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The Financial Aid Officers provide advice on eligibility requirements and helps identify additional funding opportunities. The role involves addressing financial aid inquiries from students, parents, partners, and third parties. Working collaboratively, Financial Aid Officers provide comprehensive, student-centered support through multiple channels, including on-campus, in-person meetings, phone calls, emails, and virtual sessions.

Duties include:

• Act as a key point person to provide information and guidance to both prospective and current students on the available school's payment terms, the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), and other funding programs such as Better Jobs Ontario; clarify application processes, administrative policies, and student responsibilities.
• Guide students through assessments and appeal processes when needed; keep students informed of the status of their financial aid.
• Maintain student files on company database (SYS) in compliance with government record keeping requirements and internal school policies.
• Monitor all financial aid documentation activities and follow up with students on incomplete files or missing information.
• Authorize the release of the financial aid in compliance Ministry guidelines and program requirements; apply deposits on students’ profiles on SYS.
• Counsel students on the consequences of early withdrawals or program changes, and its impacts to their student grants and loans.
• Maintain records of payments received, upcoming payments, and adjustments to payment plans as outlined in student contracts, in accordance with the school's internal procedures; collect tuition fee payments from students.
• Inform students of overdue payments and conduct follow-ups
• Provide regular reports to Manager, Financial Aid and keep the Manager informed of any issues, concerns or complex cases.
• Represent Financial Aid Office in various events, including but not limited to orientation, webinars, on-campus fairs.
• Serve as a liaison between various school departments and the Financial Aid Department to address any questions related to financial aid
• Prepare withdrawal calculations and process withdrawal documentation in accordance with Ministry guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Position Requirements:

• Post-secondary education in a relevant field, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of front-line customer service experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of financial aid at a private post-secondary school.
• Working knowledge of provincial financial aid.
  
  

Knowledge And Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
• Conduct themselves ethically, with elevated levels of accountability and integrity, demonstrating sound judgment and respect for the individuals in all interactions.
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to prioritize effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and customer services skills.
• Self-motivated.
• Attention to detail.
  
  

Ontario Institute of Health and Innovation (OIHI) is an equal opportunity employer, and as such positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, colour, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, citizenship, race, ancestry, disability, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, religion, or belief.

Ontario Institute of Health and Innovation (OIHI) is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA). If you require accommodations for a disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please include this information in your cover letter. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.