Financial Aid Engagement and Risk Coordinator

Financial Aid Engagement and Risk Coordinator

The Financial Aid Engagement and Risk Coordinator serves as a primary resource for financial aid communications, outreach initiatives, and risk prevention efforts designed to improve student access, understanding, and success. This position develops and coordinates communication strategies and educational initiatives for prospective and current students while collaborating with campus departments and external partners to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of financial aid information. The coordinator supports institutional efforts to protect the integrity of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs by promoting fraud awareness, identifying and escalating potential compliance concerns or suspicious activity, and assisting with prevention, reporting, and documentation processes. This role collaborates across functional areas within the Financial Aid Office to improve communication, streamline processes, enhance student experience, and support compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Related duties may be assigned:

• Provide exceptional customer service to students, families, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Coordinate financial aid communications with campus partners, including Admissions, Scholarships, Student Accounts, Academic Advising, and other college departments utilizing Colleague, Salesforce, and other communication platforms.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate communication and outreach campaigns designed to increase student awareness, engagement, and completion of the financial aid process.
• Proactively communicate with prospective and current students regarding financial aid requirements, deadlines, eligibility, and available resources.
• Develop and maintain annual communication calendars and outreach plans supporting key financial aid milestones, deadlines, and institutional initiatives.
• Analyze outreach efforts and communication campaigns using established metrics, CRM reporting tools, available technology, and student feedback to identify trends and recommend improvements that increase student engagement and completion rates.
• Monitor communication effectiveness through CRM dashboards, reports, and data analysis, recommending strategies to improve student engagement, FAFSA completion, and application completion rates.
• Ensure the accuracy, accessibility, and functionality of Financial Aid webpage content while coordinating updates with Marketing and Communications.
• Develop and maintain student-facing materials including guides, FAQs, presentations, videos, instructional resources, and other communication materials.
• Advise students, families, college personnel, and community organizations regarding the application process and ongoing eligibility requirements for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
• Coordinate support for other Rock Valley College departments and external agencies through financial aid presentations, workshops, and outreach initiatives.
• Develop, revise, and deliver presentations on financial aid topics for students, employees, community organizations, and external partners.
• Present financial aid information at outreach events both on and off campus.
• Work collaboratively with college departments to support student success initiatives and improve access to financial aid services.
• Collaborate with Information Technology, Enrollment Services, Marketing and Communications, and Financial Aid staff to enhance communication processes, technology solutions, and the overall student experience.
• Develop and implement educational initiatives to help students protect their identities, understand financial aid responsibilities, recognize the consequences of submitting false or misleading information, and promote responsible use of financial aid.
• Develop and deliver training for partner departments on financial aid processes, fraud awareness, compliance requirements, and the identification of suspicious activity.
• Monitor, document, and coordinate processes related to financial aid integrity, including the identification, tracking, documentation, and escalation of suspicious activity or potential misuse of financial aid programs.
• Coordinate and maintain financial aid integrity processes, documentation standards, case tracking, and related records supporting institutional compliance efforts.
• Assist with documentation, case summaries, and coordination of reporting and escalation processes related to suspected or confirmed student aid fraud cases to appropriate institutional officials and external agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General, as required.
• Identify trends, recurring student questions, communication barriers, and operational challenges, recommending process improvements that enhance efficiency, strengthen compliance, and improve student experience.
• Develop and maintain a broad and comprehensive knowledge of all federal, state, institutional, and scholarship financial aid programs and services.
• Maintain current knowledge of financial aid regulations, program requirements, and legislative changes affecting federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
• Assist with the preparation and coordination of federal, state, institutional, and audit-related reporting requirements, compliance reviews, and program monitoring activities.
• Assist with maintaining the office policies and procedures manual and support the Director in the review, development, implementation, and revision of departmental policies, procedures, and operational documentation.
• Maintain the confidentiality of student information in accordance with FERPA and all applicable federal and state privacy regulations.
• Attend and participate in appropriate conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty accurately and satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's Degree Required
• One to three years of experience in higher education, student services, communications, outreach or a related field preferred.
• Valid Drivers License
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Strong organizational analytical, and time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse populations
• Commitment to student success and customer service excellence.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in financial aid or student services within higher education
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague, Salesforce or related systems
• Experience with presentations, training, and outreach activities
• Experience developing communications materials or campaign