Financial Aid Access Coordinator

Duties:

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is seeking a skillful, compassionate, and experienced professional who is committed to supporting former youth-in-care and other marginalized students to fulfill their post-secondar goals and pursue a meaningful career path.

As the Financial Aid Access Coordinator, you will serve as a key member of the Financial Aid and Awards team with close working relationships with Accessibility Services, Academic Advising, Registration, the Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement and many other VIU departments.

Reporting to the Director of Student Services, you will be responsible for assisting former youth-in-care who are eligible for the BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (BC PTWP), from the prospect stage through to graduation. Your approach will be complemented by your compassionate skills when meeting students in-person and virtually with the understanding that these students have likely experienced barriers to post-secondary education. You will help them navigate their educational journey at VIU by directing them to financial assistance pathways (scholarships, awards, bursaries, emergency bursaries, government assistance programs), navigating institutional government and non-governmental services, and connecting them with other support services on campus.

In addition to supporting former youth-in-care, you will serve as the primary contact for all emergency bursaries requests. You will connect with students, gather information and documents, and make recommendations to the Director on adjudication.

Individual Support to Students - Tuition Waiver Students

• Serves as the main contact for prospective students seeking information about the BC PTWP, provides initial screening and reviews applications with students for the BC PTWP, provides clarity of funding guidelines and connects students to other resources as needed to facilitate their transition to VIU,
• provides individualized service to students from the inquiry stage through to graduation,
• assists students in navigating the university system and provides proactive support as needed; incorporates as part of the individualized service wrap-around care approach that integrates connection with other VIU departments,
• as appropriate, supports students in navigating funding program appeal procedures including the BC PTWP exception review and StudentAid BC (provincial loans) appeals,
• refers students to appropriate supports including; Academic Advising Accessibility Services, Counselling Services, and the Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement to name a few,
• participates in convocation ceremonies to celebrate tuition waiver student success

Individual Support to Students - Emergency Bursaries

• serves as the main point of contact for all student requests for emergencies bursaries,
• connects with students, reviews their request for eligibility, collects information and documentation and sends to the Director a completed application for adjudication,
• refers students to appropriate supports including; Academic Advising Accessibility Services, Counselling Services, and the Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement to name a few,

Financial Aid Support, Reports, and Communication

• serves as a resource member to the Awards Selection Committee,
• contributes to and completes institutional, funding, and government reports as needed including the BC PTWP On-Campus annual report, Youth Futures Education Fund (YFEF), and the Institutional Accountability Plan and Report plus any other reports or data requested by the Director, 
• ensures information related to the BC PTWP remains up-to-date on the Financial Aid and Awards web site as well as brochures and handouts,
• attends and presents information about the BC PTWP program to prospective and current students at information sessions, presentations, workshops, and orientation,
• works with VIU's Communications department to showcase successful outcomes for tuition waiver students,
• participates in internal and external committees, advisory boards, and community of practice groups as required - such as PTWP navigation community of practice, YFEF learning forum, etc.,

Best Practice

• Remains current on best practices to retain marginalized students, particularly former youth-in-care and other vulnerable populations; this includes remaining current on changes to government funding of the BC PTWP,
• makes recommendations to the Director on alleviating barriers that limit access to post-secondary studies for marginalized students so as to improve the student experience and increase retention,

Other

• Provides coverage of the front counter reception when required.

Successful candidates will participate in a wide range of activities, including, student support; institutional, faculty and departmental committee meetings and other initiatives; and professional activities in keeping with their disciplines in and outside the institution.

Required Qualifications:

Education

• Minimum bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., social work, adult education, psychology, human services, child and youth care) from an accredited institution with a minimum of five to seven years' experience working with vulnerable people or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge of Core Subject Matter

• possess a deep understanding of the barriers faced by vulnerable populations in accessing and completing post-secondary education,
• demonstrated experience working with at-risk students who have encountered significant academic, socio-economic and mental health challenges,
• demonstrated experience developing and activating transitional pathway models that promote access to and success in post-secondary studies,
• demonstrated experience building positive working relationships,
• demonstrated training and experience with conflict management,
• demonstrated ability to diffuse and problem-solve volatile and sensitive situations,
• experience and demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team while adhering to tight deadlines,
• exceptional interpersonal skills and outstanding oral and written communication skills,
• ability to tactfully and compassionately communicate with vulnerable students,
• experience with report writing,
• training and experience related to compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA),
• technical proficiency with MS Office, MS Teams and other digital platforms.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Work or BSW with an RSW designation,
• knowledge of BC colleges, institutes, university systems, programs, and services,
• training in trauma-informed practice, anti-oppressive practice, and supporting people with mental health conditions.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note: 

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students.  In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences.  We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter.  When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity.  Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.