Director, Financial Aid and Awards

Reporting to the Dean, Students, the Director, Financial Aid and Awards provides strategic and operational leadership for the planning, delivery, administration, and continuous improvement of institutional and government-funded financial assistance programs that support student access, affordability, retention, persistence, and success.

The Director is responsible for the effective administration of a comprehensive portfolio of financial aid and student funding programs, including the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), federal and provincial financial assistance programs, scholarships, bursaries, awards, work-study opportunities, emergency financial supports, and other targeted funding initiatives.

The role ensures the responsible stewardship of public and institutional funds, compliance with government legislation, Ministry directives, audit requirements, and institutional policies and procedures. As a strategic leader within Student Affairs, the Director collaborates with internal and external partners to advance student access, affordability, and success initiatives.

The Director supports institutional priorities related to enrolment management, student recruitment and retention, equity, inclusion, and student experience by identifying emerging student financial needs, assessing program effectiveness, and developing responsive services that support diverse learners and students experiencing financial barriers.

The role uses data-informed decision-making, assessment practices, and continuous improvement strategies to enhance service delivery and ensure programs effectively meet the evolving needs of diverse learners. The Director leads a team of financial aid professionals and provides strategic direction, coaching, and mentorship to foster a culture of service excellence, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

The Director ensures effective human resource management practices in alignment with College policies, applicable collective agreements, employment legislation, and organizational values. Strategic Leadership and Operations Management Provides strategic direction and operational oversight for the Financial Aid and Awards (FAA) Office, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, Student Affairs goals, enrolment strategies, and student success initiatives.

Develops, prepares, and manages the annual departmental budget for the FAA, ensuring effective stewardship of financial resources Develops, implements, evaluates, and continuously improves operational plans, policies, procedures, and service delivery models to enhance student experience, accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Leads the assessment and redesign of processes to improve responsiveness, reduce administrative barriers, and support timely access to financial resources. Identifies emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities related to student affordability and financial barriers and recommends strategies to address evolving student needs.

Represents FAA on institutional committees and working groups related to student access, enrolment management, policy development, technology improvements, and student success. Maintains internal controls to ensure accurate administration of student financial assistance, safeguard the integrity of public funds, and support the College’s continued eligibility to participate in provincial and federal student financial aid programs.

Oversees the administration of the College's scholarships, bursaries, awards, and donor-funded financial assistance programs, liaising with the Advancement Office and other institutional partners to ensure the effective delivery of donor-funded awards. People Leadership and Team Development Recruits, leads, coaches, develops, and evaluates department staff, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and service-focused team culture.

Provides direction to the Manager and establishes performance expectations for staff, service standards and performance outcomes Supports ongoing professional growth through coaching, mentoring, training, and succession planning. Leads organizational and operational change initiatives, communicating priorities effectively and engaging staff in continuous improvement and service innovation.

Plans, assigns, and monitors staff workloads, resources, and service delivery to ensure operational effectiveness, compliance with collective agreements, and achievement of departmental service standards. Creates an inclusive, respectful, and psychologically safe work environment that promotes employee engagement, well-being, equity, and excellence in student service.

Provides leadership and expert guidance to staff in the interpretation and application of complex federal and provincial financial aid legislation, Ministry directives, institutional policies, and awards administration practices. Monitors departmental performance using service metrics and key performance indicators, identifying opportunities to enhance service quality, operational efficiency, compliance, and the student experience.

Financial Aid Administration and Compliance Provides oversight for the administration of federal and provincial financial assistance programs, including OSAP and related Ministry-funded initiatives, ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, Ministry guidelines, policies, and audit requirements. Ensures accurate interpretation and implementation of complex government regulations, directives, and policy changes affecting student financial assistance.

Establishes effective internal controls, quality assurance practices, and operational processes to maintain accuracy, integrity, and accountability in the administration of student financial aid. Oversees institutional reporting requirements, including Ministry accountability reports, funding reconciliations, audits, and compliance documentation.

Monitors, evaluates and enhances financial aid programs and practices, providing informed feedback to government and sector partners to support continuous improvement to Provincial and Federal Financial Aid programs. Serves as the senior escalation point for complex student financial aid matters requiring interpretation of federal, provincial, and institutional policies or the exercise of discretion.

Provides guidance and direction on complex cases and liaises with financial institutions, government ministries and agencies, and community or social service organizations, as appropriate, to support the resolution of individual student financial aid matters while ensuring compliance with legislative, regulatory, and institutional requirements.

Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of institutional student loan default prevention and repayment awareness strategies to support student success and maintain compliance with provincial and federal performance expectations. Maintains collaborative relationships with the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) and financial institutions to resolve complex student loan eligibility, funding, and loan processing issues, including the escalation of cases requiring specialized review.

Student Access, Equity and Success Advances initiatives that reduce financial barriers and support equitable access to post-secondary education. Collaborates with Student Affairs, Enrolment Services, Advancement, Accounts Receivable, Information Technology, academic areas, recruitment teams, and external partners to strengthen pathways, supports, and resources for students experiencing financial challenges.

Supports institutional priorities related to access, retention, persistence, and completion through responsive financial aid programming. Ensures services are delivered in a manner that is student-focused, inclusive, transparent, and consistent with institutional values. Data, Technology, and Financial Management Oversees the integrity, accuracy, security, and confidentiality of student financial aid records and related information.

Uses data analysis and reporting to evaluate program effectiveness, identify trends, inform decision-making, and support institutional planning. Ensures appropriate systems, processes, and technologies are implemented to support efficient financial aid administration and enhanced student service. Oversees Ministry reporting and accountability requirements for OSAP Supplemental Bursary and Tuition Set Aside Programs with a combined value exceeding $5 million annually.

Ensures effective financial controls, budget reconciliation, and compliance with institutional, Ministry, audit, and inspection requirements through collaboration with Finance and related departments.