This position is subject to the terms of Appendix D in the Full-Time Support Staff Collective Agreement.
Note: 1 vacancy available.
This position is deemed a critical vacancy.
Work Mode: This position is a minimum of four days on-site per week.
Payband: This position is paid at Payband H. $38.09 - $44.04 per hour.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Why this Role is Important
The Financial Aid Advisor plays a critical role in advancing student access, persistence, and success by delivering comprehensive, student-centred financial aid advising, guidance, and navigation support within the College. This position serves as a knowledgeable and empathetic resource for students navigating the complexities of financial aid, ensuring they have access to the information, guidance, and understanding needed to make informed decisions about funding their education.
At the core of this role is a commitment to removing financial barriers that may prevent students from entering, continuing, or completing their post-secondary studies. The Advisor accomplishes this by probing to understand each student's unique circumstances, presenting a range of financial aid options - including OSAP, bursaries, scholarships, and grants - and explaining the potential outcomes of each pathway. Through careful interpretation and application of academic, provincial, and federal financial aid regulations, the Advisor ensures that students meet all eligibility requirements and that funding entitlements are verified accurately and administered equitably.
This position also carries significant responsibility for upholding institutional integrity and regulatory compliance. The Advisor reviews and assesses financial aid appeals, evaluates applicants against established award criteria, and ensures that all procedures and protocols remain current and aligned with evolving Provincial and Federal Government legislation. Attention to detail, sound professional judgement, and a thorough knowledge of policy frameworks are essential to fulfilling these responsibilities effectively.
Beyond direct advising, the Financial Aid Advisor contributes to broader institutional outreach and awareness by developing and delivering presentations that promote available programs, funding opportunities, and financial literacy initiatives. This proactive engagement helps ensure that students - particularly those from equity-deserving communities - are aware of and connected to the resources available to them.
How You’ll Make An Impact
Student Advising & Support
- Advise students on OSAP eligibility, application processes, and timelines through one on one in-person and virtual appointments
- Takes referrals from other staff members and departments for complex student financial inquiries
- Guides and advises students experiencing financial barriers or special circumstances with financial aid pathways (e.g., mature students, students with dependants, students with disabilities)
- Investigates and determines how to help students overcome financial aid and academic restrictions using knowledge and expertise pertaining to a wide array of relevant policies and practices
- Liaises with internal and external stakeholders such as Counselling & Accessibility Services, Student Experience Team, Academic Advisors, Program Coordinators, Co-op Consultants, the Ministry and other external agencies to gather relevant details and coordinate plans for student supports
- Assist students with appeals, including income reassessments and special bursary applications by interpreting guidelines and using judgement to determine student eligibility for exceptional reviews and appeals.
- The Advisor uses their authority to make decisions regarding appeals and other reviews using their interpretation and judgement of the students situation.
- Investigates, gathers and analyzes relevant details to build a case for submission to the Ministry for restrictions or appeals that require Ministry authority.
- Guide students through the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) repayment process upon graduation or withdrawal
Application Processing & Administration
- Review and process OSAP applications, confirmations of enrolment, and disbursement requests
- Investigate and analyze anomalies or inconsistencies in student applications
- Investigate, review and identify student academic files or financial aid accounts, where a student is at risk of losing funding eligibility or not accessing the correct/optimal funding options (e.g. disability/accessibility supports)
- Support the college SEM plan by taking action to help prevent students needing to withdraw from academic studies.
- Provides guidance and advice to other Registrar team members for proper processing of supporting documents for OSAP and other financial aid programs
- Assess and adjudicate institutional bursaries, awards, and emergency funds
- Process master student financial assistance agreement (MSFAA) documentation
- Verify student enrolment status and program eligibility
Compliance & Reporting
- Ensure institutional compliance with Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES) directives and OSAP program rules
- Complete reconciliation and audit-readiness tasks related to government funding
- Maintain accurate student financial aid records in the Student Information System (SIS)
- Prepare reports for internal stakeholders and respond to ministry audit requests
Communication & Outreach
- Deliver financial literacy workshops and orientation sessions for incoming students
- Create and maintain clear, accessible communication materials about financial aid programs
- Collaborate with academic advisors, counsellors, and Accessibility Services to support at-risk students
Policy & Continuous Improvement
- Stay current on OSAP policy changes and communicate updates to staff and students
- Participate in provincial working groups like CASFAA and OASFAA to share best practices
- Contribute to SEM (Strategic Enrolment Management) initiatives, particularly around retention and student financial wellness
Performs Other Related Duties As Assigned
What You’ll Bring
- Post-secondary 3-year diploma/degree in business, finance, or social services or related field
- Minimum 5 years’ of working knowledge and ability to develop complete understanding of the Ontario Student Assistance Program and other provincial and federal financial aid programs
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
- Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to current customer service and quality improvement methodology, highly developed communication skills
- Both verbal and written, financial advising and assessment background and skills, effective public relations skills, demonstrated team leadership building skills, conflict resolution skills
- Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to work independently and willingness to collaborate with on a team
What This Opportunity Offers
- Comprehensive Pension: Join a defined-benefit pension plan (through the CAAT Pension Plan) that delivers predictable lifetime retirement income.
- Vacation & Benefits: Enjoy 8% in lieu of vacation and benefits, along with access to an Employee & Family Assistance Program to support your well-being - both at work and beyond.
- Professional Development: Learning is at the heart of the Fanshawe experience - for both students and employees. Our Organizational Development and Learning team offers a wide range of training and development opportunities to help you grow your skills and advance your career.
- Inclusive, Meaningful Campus environment: Work alongside passionate colleagues in an inclusive culture that values diversity, drives student success, and connects you to the local community and campus life.
Ready to Apply?
If you’re passionate about helping students navigate financial barriers and have the financial aid expertise, sound judgement, and student-centred approach to make a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help ensure students have the guidance and support they need to access funding, overcome barriers, and succeed in their education.
Fanshawe College uses Workday to manage recruitment and hiring processes.
Educational Credentials
While transcripts are not required for the interview, they are mandatory as a condition of employment.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Fanshawe College is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equity, value diversity, and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.
Accommodation
Fanshawe College provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, the hiring manager and the recruiter leading the recruitment will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant’s accommodation needs. Accommodation requests per the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act can be emailed to: askhr@fanshawec.ca
Land Acknowledgement
Fanshawe College would like to acknowledge and honour the Anishinaabe, Lotinuhsyuní and Lenape people of southwestern Ontario as the traditional owners and custodians of the lands and waterways where Fanshawe College is located.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.
