Financial Aid Compliance, Risk & Research Specialist II - 991300

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Primary Purpose

Conducts research and analysis to identify and assess financial aid fraud, compliance risks, and irregular activity. Supports fraud prevention, compliance monitoring, risk mitigation, and regulatory responses through data analysis, investigations, and documentation.

Job Category:

Exempt

Pay Basis:

Annually

Subject to Grant Funding?

No

Essential Job Functions:

1. Conducts research and risk assessments to identify potential indicators of financial aid fraud, misrepresentation, irregular activity, non-compliance, or other financial aid-related risks.

2. Analyzes student, financial aid, enrollment, and institutional data; conducts quality assurance reviews; identifies anomalies and trends; and escalates potential concerns to leadership and appropriate university officials.

3. Supports the prevention, detection, and investigation of financial aid fraud by researching unusual transactions, student activity, financial aid activity, data anomalies, and other indicators of potential fraud or abuse. Documents investigative findings, supporting evidence, and recommended follow-up actions while maintaining appropriate records.

4. Assesses compliance vulnerabilities and internal controls and assists in developing, revising, implementing, and maintaining policies, procedures, monitoring controls, reports, and processes designed to prevent, detect, and mitigate financial aid fraud, non-compliance, and operational risk.

5. Conducts and supports recurring financial aid, student records, compliance, and other FAAR-related reporting requirements.

6. Maintains the financial aid compliance matrix and compliance calendar, monitoring regulatory requirements, required activities, deadlines, follow-up items, and deliverables to support timely institutional compliance.

7. Researches and assesses potential financial aid compliance risks and vulnerabilities and assists in developing corrective, preventive, and risk-mitigation actions. Monitors follow-up activities and supports implementation of identified improvements.

8. Supports internal and external financial aid audits, program reviews, investigations, and compliance inquiries by coordinating information requests, researching institutional records, preparing supporting documentation, identifying relevant evidence, and tracking responses and required follow-up actions.

9. Supports requests from University Legal Counsel and other University offices by conducting research, gathering and analyzing relevant information and documentation, and coordinating responses with the Director and appropriate institutional stakeholders.

10. Participates in the development and maintenance of financial aid compliance training materials, workshops, communications, and online training addressing federal, state, and institutional requirements, fraud prevention, risk awareness, and compliance responsibilities.

11. Coordinates the University's response to student complaints referred by the U.S. Department of Education. Gathers and reviews relevant information and documentation from appropriate institutional departments; conducts research and fact-finding; prepares institutional responses; coordinates internal review; and ensures timely submission in accordance with applicable Department of Education and institutional deadlines.

12. Coordinates the compilation and disclosure of student education records in response to authorized requests from federal student loan servicers. Gathers, reviews, and organizes responsive records and ensures all disclosures are handled in accordance with FERPA, applicable federal requirements, and institutional policies.

13. Conducts comprehensive research and review of U.S. Department of Education Borrower Defense to Repayment claims, including in-depth examination of each borrower's academic, enrollment, financial aid, and other institutional records and the specific allegations raised in each claim. Conducts cross-departmental fact-finding and coordinates with relevant institutional offices to identify, obtain, and evaluate records, policies, communications, and other documentation relevant to the claim. Synthesizes findings and supporting evidence and prepares complete, accurate, and timely institutional responses and submissions to the Department of Education.

14. Maintains strict confidentiality and exercises sound judgment when accessing and handling student education records, financial information, personally identifiable information, fraud investigations, legal matters, compliance records, and other sensitive university information.

15. Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned or required.

Job Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Knowledge:

1. Knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and compliance requirements, including applicable U.S. Department of Education requirements.

2. Knowledge of financial aid processes, student records, enrollment activities, and eligibility requirements sufficient to identify potential compliance issues and irregularities.

3. Knowledge of fraud prevention and detection, risk assessment, internal controls, and compliance monitoring principles and practices.

4. Knowledge of research, investigative, and data analysis methods used to identify anomalies, inconsistencies, potential fraud, and compliance vulnerabilities.

5. Knowledge of FERPA, confidentiality, and requirements governing the use, protection, and disclosure of student and financial information.

6. Knowledge of data analysis, statistical analysis, quality assurance, research, and assessment principles and practices.

7. Knowledge of compliance monitoring, policy and procedure development, process assessment, and risk identification.

8. Knowledge of training, communication, and dissemination of regulatory and procedural information.

9. Advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint) and other database reporting tools.

Skills:

1. Research and investigative skills to conduct detailed reviews, gather and validate information, identify discrepancies, and document findings.

2. Analytical and critical-thinking skills to analyze data, identify patterns and anomalies, assess risks, and evaluate potential fraud or compliance issues.

3. Written and oral communication skills to prepare clear, accurate reports, regulatory responses, documentation, and communicate findings with University stakeholders.

4. Organizational and project-management skills to manage multiple compliance activities, investigations, requests, deadlines, and follow-up actions.

5. Technology and information-management skills to effectively use institutional systems, databases, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office to research, analyze, organize, and maintain information.

Abilities:

1. Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate financial aid, student, and institutional information to identify potential fraud, compliance issues, discrepancies, and risks.

2. Ability to apply federal, state, and institutional requirements to financial aid compliance matters and recommend appropriate corrective or preventive actions.

3. Ability to exercise independent judgment in evaluating information, determining when issues require further investigation, and escalating matters appropriately.

4. Ability to prepare accurate, well-supported documentation, reports, and regulatory responses based on research and analysis.

5. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive student, financial, legal, and compliance information.

6. Ability to work collaboratively with multiple university departments to obtain information, resolve compliance matters, and meet regulatory and institutional deadlines.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

1. Must be able to understand and communicate clearly with others.

2. Must be able to see details at close range.

3. May occasionally require work outside normal business hours, including evenings or weekends.

4. Primarily office-based, with occasional travel to other university locations.

5. May require extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, or reaching while performing job duties.

Required Certifications/Licensures:

N/A

Required Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Major (if required):

N/A

Required Experience:

Minimum three (3) years of experience in financial aid administration, compliance, auditing, risk management, fraud prevention or detection, regulatory research, student records administration, or a closely related function.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience conducting financial aid compliance reviews, fraud prevention or detection activities, risk assessments, or regulatory investigations.

2. Experience analyzing financial aid, student, enrollment, or institutional data to identify discrepancies, unusual activity, compliance risks, or potential fraud.

3. Experience responding to U.