The Academic and Financial Aid Advisor plays a key role in the implementation, dissemination, propagation of academic regulations and financial aid information, guiding students with course planning and registration, financial aid as needed, assuring the integrity of student data and associated database processes, and providing informed advice to students, faculty and staff on academic policies, financial aid process, awards, bursaries, grants and procedures.
Reporting to the Manager, Registrarial Services, and working as a team with other Academic and Financial Aid Advisors, the person in this role is responsible for setting goals with students and helping them follow a proper recognized track to reach their academic goals and help them access provincial and federal financial aid.
Academic Advising
- Advise students regarding academic major and/or program requirements, appropriate course selection, academic policies and procedures, and campus resources.
- Guide students to meet graduation requirements in a timely fashion while preparing them to meet their individualized future goals.
- Advise all students and assist in their exploration of programs whilst focusing on academic policies and procedures and available resources.
- Utilize Self-Serve and other authorized digital tools, as necessary, to aid in the delivery of advising services.
- Facilitate assessment of transfer credits for students as needed and provide the assessments to the Registrar's office for posting to student records.
Financial Aid Advising
- Coordinates all provincial, federal, agency, and university programs available for NSCAD students.
- Provides counsel and assists students and, where appropriate, their families regarding financial aid eligibility, available assistance programs, application process, and their rights and responsibilities associated with these programs.
- Responsible for assisting with the distribution of information on various financial aid programs available to students and conducting financial aid presentations on campus and in the community.
- Assists in financial aid applications for completeness, enrolment status, academic progress.
- Works closely with Student Accounts to provide financial aid counseling to students, communicating policies and procedures, tracking documentation, and awarding financial aid; and assists students with debt management/payment plans.
Other Responsibilities
- Assists with special projects and supports the office of the Registrar with other duties as assigned.
- Assist in recruitment, orientation, and convocation activities including outreach activities, campus visits, Portfolio Days, Open Houses, and program/degree information sessions for returning students.
- Recognizes learning, mental, social-emotional, environmental, and/or behavioral challenges, perceived at-risk students and makes appropriate referrals.
- Assist in recruitment, orientation, and convocation activities including outreach activities, campus visits, Portfolio Days, Open Houses, and program/degree information sessions for returning students.
Undergraduate degree plus a minimum of 3 years related experience working in a post-secondary environment is required, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A graduate degree would be considered an asset. Expertise and experience with student advising, Student Information Systems, preferably Colleague, is required. The Academic and Financial Aid Advisor must have a high level of attention to detail and demonstrate a high level of accuracy.
Applications should be sent via the CareerBeacon website. Applications should include a cover letter and detailed CV.
Deadline for applications: The University will begin considering applicants on June 3, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. We appreciate all applicants, however only those selected to move forward in the competition will be contacted. This position is being advertised internally and externally concurrently. Bargaining unit employees for NSGEU Local 82 are given first consideration. There are two vacancies to be filled by this posting.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority in this search. NSCAD university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, persons with a disability, women, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.
