Date Posted: 08/15/2025
Req ID: 44846
Faculty/Division: Vice Provost Strategic Enrolment Management
Department: University Registrar's Office
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00058591
Description:
About us:
The Financial Aid Office in the University Registrar’s Office at the University of Toronto is responsible for the University’s administration of financial aid programs, including U.S. student aid programs and government student aid programs from jurisdictions within Canada, along with other financial supports (e.g., loans to students in professional programs), and internal U of T specific financial aid programs.
Your opportunity:
Under direction of the Associate Director, Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counsellor works as part of a team to administer U.S. student aid programs such as the U.S. Direct Loans Programs, Sallie Mae, Earnest loans, as well as government student aid programs from jurisdictions within Canada. This includes interpreting and applying academic and government financial aid rules, accurately reporting on program uptake, and training and providing information to staff and the academic divisions to ensure both student needs and program requirements are met.
The Financial Aid Counsellor serves as a resource to staff in the University Registrar’s Office and academic divisions around the University, on matters related to U.S. student aid programs, government student aid programs from jurisdictions within Canada, other financial support programs (e.g., loans for students in professional programs, sponsorship programs). The Counsellor educates students and colleagues on financial aid related matters through financial counselling, information workshops and training sessions, presentations at the institutional, provincial and national levels.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Advising students on financial aid/award matters by probing and providing a range of options and possible outcomes
- Interpreting and applying academic and government financial aid rules to ensure students meet requirements
- Facilitating educational workshops and seminars
- Advising students on budgeting and personal financial management
- Reviewing and assessing financial aid appeals for acceptability
- Interpreting applicable guidelines and protocols to determine policy violations
- Responding to service requests in a timely fashion
- Tracking and monitoring contact with students
Essential Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience
- Minimum four (4) years of relevant experience in a high volume environment, preferably a university or college institution
- Direct experience in a financial aid environment: administering student financial aid programs (university and government financial aid programs)
- Experience advising and/or counselling students on financial aid (ex: relevant financial aid programs, preparation of financial plans and strategies to access funding)
- Experience conducting presentations/workshops/training sessions to external and internal attendees
- Experience with interpreting and applying institutional, government, agency and department policies, procedures and guidelines
- Experience with document management systems
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated presentation skills to large and diverse groups; Ability to effectively provide information and advice to staff, students and general public, individually or in group settings (i.e. one-on-one or group session and/or workshops)
- Advanced computer skills must include word processing, creating and manipulating spreadsheets, posting to and navigating websites, creating PowerPoint presentations
- Strong analytical skills and attention to details
- Strong student service orientation: tact and diplomacy in dealing with students and students’ family members, relate well with a diverse student population, at times address an upset or irate student, maintain confidentiality in working with student information
- Ability to adapt to new procedures quickly and accurately; must be able to use independent judgment and discretion when processing applications and responding to enquiries
- Ability to work in a high volume environment and ability to work well under pressure
Assets (Nonessential):
- Familiarity with the University’s student information system or with a comparable system is highly desirable
- Familiarity with financial budgeting tools and resources is desirable
To be successful in this role you will be:
- Adaptable
- Communicator
- Efficient
- Organized
- Problem solver
- Team player
Note: This is an approximately 12-month term position from September 2025 to August 2026.
Closing Date: 08/26/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Term; This is an approximately 12-month term position.
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 12 -- $81,312. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $103,986. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Recruiter: Fiona Chan
Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.
