Student Financial Aid Compliance Analyst -AZ/IL- Student Financial Services

Summary

The Student Financial Aid Compliance Analyst is responsible for assisting the Directors of Student Financial Services & Registrars, Vice President of Enrollment & Financial Strategy, and the SFS Compliance Manager for ensuring procedures are in place and followed to ensure compliance with the Department of Education’s Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA).  Serve as an expert and leader in areas related to financial aid and student accounts regulations, policy, and procedures.  Serve as a liaison between other campus representatives who are responsible for compliance in areas covered by the HEOA, but who do not directly report to Student Financial Services.  This position is responsible for financial analysis and reporting related to student borrowing and regulatory filings related to the University’s institutional loan programs. This position will also provide training to staff on both of Midwestern University’s Arizona and Illinois campuses concerning financial aid compliance issues and regulatory changes when they occur.  This position reports to the SFS Compliance Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Audits financial aid awards and student accounts to assure ethical standards of practice and compliance with state and federal regulations and University policies pertaining to federal student aid. Communicates results to department directors and assistant directors and works in partnership to develop action plans for improvement. 
• Conducts scheduled and unscheduled periodic quality control audits on internal processes to include:
  • Return to Title IV refund process
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Leave of absence
  • Withdrawal
  • Federal Work Study Time Punch
  • Budget Appeals
• Tracks changes to regulations affecting management of federal student aid and maintains the departmental policies and procedures manual ensuring compliance with federal, state and university regulations and policies.
• Reviews University catalog and applicable departmental webpages to ensure they meet compliance standards.
• Works closely with Directors of Student Financial Services & Registrars to provide leadership and staff training on new regulations and implementation procedures for all staff on both campuses.
• Track compliance of federal regulations through the Federal Student Aid Handbook, Federal Register, IFAP, and administration of the Self-Evaluation Guide for Institutional Participation in Title IV, and other Federal Programs.
• Maintains the University’s Institutional Disclosures webpages and tracks annual compliance of the delivery of the required student consumer information notifications to current and prospective students and employees.
• Lead MWU’s cross-campus HEA Regulatory Compliance Working Group
• Researches federal financial aid, student accounts, and consumer disclosures questions utilizing appropriate resources.
• Reviews and suggests improvements regarding financial aid and student accounts practices.
• Administer annual Red Flags Rule training for all SFS and Registrar staff.
• Compile weekly, monthly and annual report preparation, research and compilation of the annual tuition survey student, cost of attendance development and analysis of cost increases, survey development, and serving as audit liaison.
• Quarterly reporting of the University’s private loan program.
• Annual preparation and review of key student metrics.
• Other duties as assigned by the SFS Compliance Manager.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This individual must have the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and must have regular, predictable, in-person attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Education and/or Experience                                                   

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field is required. 3-5 years of previous related work experience in a student financial services setting.  Must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to collaborate effectively with leadership and cross-functional teams, and experience providing training and guidance to staff. Requires excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple projects while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Computer Skills                                               

Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). Significant experience with Excel is required i.e. creating spreadsheets, charts, pivot tables and utilizing lookup functions for reporting and recordkeeping.

 Other Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of registration terminology; planning and organizational skills; supervisory skills; strong interpersonal skills with faculty, staff and students.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee is regularly required to walk; reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, Use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  This position is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance.  We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.  We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days.  We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program.  Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility. 

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws and regulation. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/).  Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.