At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide friendly financial services and support to students and staff at the College.
- Company: Join a supportive team at MidKent College, dedicated to student success.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a welcoming work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and involvement in community events.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by helping them access financial support.
- Qualifications: Customer service skills and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 25878 - 29729 € per year.
Provide professional and efficient front line financial customer services for staff, students and visitors of the College, accurately receiving, processing and reconciling cash or card payments for fees and additional costs received by the College.
Provide a friendly and approachable service to students, their parents and carers who are applying for support under one of the College’s student financial support funds, processing student support funds applications and administering the resulting awards, communicating the outcomes to students and College departments via telephone, email and post as applicable, in accordance with College policies, procedures and guidelines and any relevant legislation.
Main Responsibilities and Duties
- Provide financial services for students, staff, visitors and all College stakeholders, handling and processing cash, cheques and credit card payments for courses and trips, receiving and processing applications for student financial funds, including providing funding and bursary information and advice to students and parents/guardians as required. This will include checking financial support applications ensuring all necessary information is provided by the student.
- Maintain financial records for audit purposes and ensure that all financial transactions are completed in accordance with College financial policies and processes.
- Provide a welcoming and friendly customer focused service to students, parents/guardians and staff, processing petty cash, hardship payments and bus passes following the College financial procedures.
- Act as the initial point of enquiry for students and new applicants, directing them to the most appropriate college department or referring them internally to a member of the Threshold Services Team.
- Support the work of the Student Financial Support team, providing concise accurate information while remaining within professional boundaries and knowledge, assessing household income and making initial decisions on awards against set criteria, providing printed information on the support available to College students and processing applications and other paperwork as required.
- This will include attending open evenings, open days and careers fairs as required to promote the services available within the College Student Finance desk.
- Support the department by being a consistent customer facing presence, becoming someone students recognise and trust, providing telephone and face-to-face advice on the most appropriate fund for students to apply to, keeping accurate and detailed records of interactions with applicants and the outcomes.
- Support the department at Open Evenings by providing information on support facilities to potential students and their parents/carers. This will include participating in the planning and delivery of campaigns to raise awareness of the available funds.
- Liaise with Job Centre Plus, Social Services, Foster Parents, Connexions and other external agencies, in order to assist students as required.
- Proactively work with the College Personal Development Tutors and other college support services to identify students who are at risk or vulnerable and can be supported financially, and work with departments to identify students who require support to assist them in applying for funds.
All post holders will be required to receive training to act as Fire Marshals and First Aiders.
Application Requirements
To ensure compliance with safeguarding guidelines, all applicants must complete the application form in full. This includes providing:
- A full employment history from the time you left full-time education, with details of any gaps in employment explained.
- Information on all relevant education and qualifications.
Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered. Your cooperation helps us maintain the highest standards of safety and care for children and young people.
Benefits
Click here to view MidKent College benefits.
Student Finance Officer in Maidstone employer: Mid Kent College
MidKent College is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment at our Maidstone Campus. We prioritise employee growth through continuous training and development opportunities, ensuring that our staff can thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact on students' lives. With a strong focus on customer service and community engagement, we foster a culture of collaboration and respect, making it a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Finance Officer in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the College inside out! Familiarise yourself with their financial services and support systems. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your knowledge and passion for helping students.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since you'll be the friendly face of the finance team, think about how you can make students feel welcome and supported. Role-play scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Attend open evenings and career fairs to meet potential colleagues and learn more about the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to show your enthusiasm and commitment to the College's mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Student Finance Officer in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Thorough with Your Application:Make sure to fill out the application form completely. We can't stress enough how important it is to provide a full employment history and explain any gaps. Incomplete applications just won't cut it!
Show Off Your Relevant Experience:When detailing your work history, highlight any experience that relates to financial services or customer support. We want to see how you can bring your skills to our Student Finance team!
Keep It Professional Yet Friendly:Since this role involves a lot of interaction with students and parents, make sure your application reflects a friendly and approachable attitude. We’re looking for someone who can connect with our community!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can get back to you as soon as possible.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mid Kent College
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Student Finance Officer inside out. Familiarise yourself with the financial services offered by the college, including student support funds and bursaries. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Rehearse common interview questions related to customer service and financial processes. Think about scenarios where you've provided excellent service or handled difficult situations. This will prepare you to share relevant experiences that highlight your skills and suitability for the role.
✨Show Your People Skills
As a Student Finance Officer, you'll be interacting with students, parents, and staff regularly. Be ready to demonstrate your communication skills and approachability during the interview. Use examples that showcase your ability to provide friendly and efficient service, as this is key to the role.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the team dynamics, the challenges faced by the Student Finance department, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the college is the right fit for you.
