Financial Aid and Student Awards Advisor
Do you believe in the power of ideas, possibility, and in building community?
The Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is looking for an organized, detail-orientated, and knowledgeable financial aid & student awards advisor to promote and coordinate university award and bursary programs as well as student loan and financial aid opportunities for the students of AUArts.
This is a temporary full-time position starting as soon as possible until April 30, 2022. Hours of work are 35 hours per week.
Why AUArts?
Alberta University of the Arts rests on the traditional Treaty 7 Territories of the Blackfoot people and in the spirit of our collective effort to promote reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional territories and oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, which includes Siksika, Piikani and Kainai, the Tsuut’ina, the Stoney Nakoda First Nations (Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley), Metis Nation Region III, and all those who make their homes in the Treaty 7 Region of Southern Alberta.
AUArts is a community of thinkers, shapers, makers and risk takers. We are students, faculty, staff and alumni rich in diversity of culture and thought, challenged to fearlessly explore what moves us, drives us, and implores us to see the world differently.
The Alberta University of the Arts offers its 1,100 students studio-based programming that leads to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in one of nine disciplines, a Bachelor of Design in one of two, and an MFA in Craft Media. It has deep roots in Calgary’s creative community and will soon be celebrating its centennial.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the registrar, the financial aid & student awards advisor coordinates and administers the university award and bursary programs as well as government student loan and financial aid programs for all AUArts students. The advisor supports the promotion, application, and selection process for all funding opportunities, and advises students on eligibility requirements and opportunities for all types of financial assistance.
Key Responsibilities
Awards, Scholarships, Prizes, and Bursaries:
- Develops and oversees the annual production and updating of the university awards and financial aid information for new and returning students, including the website, SharePoint site, and email updates.
- The advisor actively promotes award, bursary, and loan opportunities through appropriate communications channels.
- Confirms award and bursary allocations in conjunction with the Advancement and Finance offices.
- Advises students in the completion and submission of application to Scholarship and Award programs.
- Supports the development of the Awards Program’s policy and procedures and develops, recommends, coordinates and administers the selection process of competitive and automatic awards and scholarships, in accordance with these policy and procedures.
- Advises advancement regarding the establishment and terms of new awards, with a focus on ensuring a match between donor intention and University needs.
- Coordinates, in conjunction with Advancement, the recognition of award recipients and donors.
Student Loans:
- Facilitates the delivery of government student loan and student aid programs for current and prospective students, in accordance with federal and provincial legislation and program regulations.
- Advises students in the completion and submission of applications for student loans and student aid, inclusive of verification of their eligibility status with respect to program regulations and execution of legal documents on behalf of the University with respect to that eligibility.
Administration:
- Confirms student enrolment status of submitted applications for student loans and student aid. Disperses funds to payment of tuition fees if requested. In the event of non-approval, and at the request of the applicant, represents student interests to financial and government institutions, and assists with appeal procedures.
- Works closely with other members of the registrar’s office regarding third party sponsorships for tuition and fees, oversees the submission of payments to the Finance area, and ensures that student accounts are updated and reconciled as necessary.
- Provides government departments, banks, and funding agencies, upon request and as allowable, with general and specific information pertaining to student registration status and statistical data.
- Prepares and administers documents in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency established guidelines for reporting income received from awards, scholarships, fellowships, and bursaries.
- Oversees and evaluates student account records regarding loans and awards and prepares and processes student credits and refunds; provides reporting on student accounts.
- Establishes and maintains confidential student records with respect to student aid and awards, maintains the awards data base, and prepares statistical reports as required and requested. Prepares annual scholarship and student loan summary report.
- Prepares and submits reports to government agencies regarding student loans.
- Prepares statistical reports related to student loans, awards, and student accounts.
- Coordinates and prepares documentation for the administration of third-party funders invoicing.
- Represents the University as a member of provincial and national professional organizations as required and assigned by the Registrar and/or Dean of Students.
The successful candidate will have:
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as accounting or finance.
- Minimum two (2) years’ experience in a post-secondary environment working with students.
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge of MS Office, including Word and Excel.
- Excellent organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines and provide information accurately and quickly upon request.
- Excellent inter-personal skills, ability to work effectively in cooperation with colleagues and students in a team environment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
As a member of the AUPE bargaining unit, this full-time temporary position has a starting annual salary is $55,908 – $62,001 dependent upon skills, education and experience.
How to Apply
Applications must include the following in a single PDF document:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae / Resume
Please upload your single document to the Resume section – do not upload any documents to the Cover Letter section. You will be required to create an account in order to submit your application. Please visit our How to Apply page to ensure your application is complete prior to submission.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Further information about AUArts is available on our website at auarts.ca.
AUArts is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all University Community Members while on campus. For specific information and updates, including our COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, please visit our website.
AUArts is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversity of the university. We encourage expressions of interest from all qualified applicants for consideration for this or other suitable vacancies although applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
The collection of personal information is for the purpose of determining eligibility and suitability for employment as authorized by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act, section 33(c). If you have any questions about the collection of your information, please contact our FOIP Coordinator at foip@auarts.ca.
