Job description
Job Purpose
You will be responsible for managing financial aid applications, liaising with applicants and external funding bodies, and making awards. You will also provide guidance and support to students, staff, and other stakeholders on financial aid policies and procedures. You will support the wider Financial Aid Team with general team activity, including enquiry management, prizes, and other financial aid schemes and initiatives.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Process financial aid applications from students, including evaluating personal statements, supporting documentation, and student records to determine eligibility. You will assess applications based on defined criteria but with scope for personal and departmental discretion where necessary. You will maintain application records, monitor mailboxes, and award funds to students via the University's financial aid system.
2. Support student funding via external organizations, including Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) and charitable trusts, by managing application processes and/or liaising with stakeholders regarding reporting requirements and funding criteria.
3.Monitor and maintain student loan records, by applying Student Loans Company policies and procedures.
4.Reconcile financial aid control accounts, liaising with the Financial Aid Manager and Finance Office
5.Act as the main point of contact for student prizes and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to ensure timely awarding.
6.Develop, maintain, and apply detailed knowledge of relevant student funding policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legislation. Engage in continuous professional development to enhance the delivery of financial aid services.
7. Provide guidance on financial aid policies and procedures to staff and students and collaborate with other support services to ensure effective referral. Attend events including open days and orientation to provide information on financial aid.
8.Support the development and maintenance of information resources on financial aid schemes and associated services, including management of online content.
9. Contribute to the continuous review of financial aid policies and procedures to identify areas for improvement and implement changes to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of financial aid services to students.
10. Undertake other duties that may be required and that are commensurate with the grade
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential:
A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 (Advanced Higher / Scottish Vocational Qualification level 3, Higher National Certificate) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.
A2 Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Desirable:
B1 Knowledge of student financial aid schemes and government regulations relating to student finance.
B2 HNC, VQ 3, Higher Grades, City and Guilds or equivalent in a business or financial discipline.
B3 Higher or equivalent in English and Maths.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Excellent numeracy skills.
C2 Able to develop, maintain and apply complex and specialised knowledge in an organisational setting.
C3 Able to empathise with customers while maintaining a professional relationship and being assertive under difficult circumstances.
C4 Excellent time and workload management skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines and cope with unplanned interruptions.
C5 Able to cope with pressure and accept responsibility while using initiative and judgement to resolve complex queries independently.
C6 Excellent IT skills.
C7 Able to multi-task and pay attention to detail.
C8 Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a varied team.
C9 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
C10 Able to work flexibly and contribute to overall team effort with a positive and enthusiastic approach.
Desirable:
D1 Proficiency in use of MyCampus.
D2 Proficiency in use of Agresso.
Experience
Essential:
E1 Experience in a busy and customer focused environment.
E2 Experience working and liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
E3 Experience working with a broad and varied customer base.
E4 Experience working with finance and/or other areas with a focus on numeracy.
Desirable:
F1 Experience of dealing with students in a student support or financial aid role.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 5, £24,715 - £28,929 per annum pro rata.
This post is part-time (28 hours per week), and open ended.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.