Financial Aid Compliance Coordinator

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith is a dynamic public university that offers a wide range of academic programs and a commitment to diverse community.

• Type of Position: Professional Staff – Academic Affairs
• Job Type: Regular
• Work Shift: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sponsorship Available: No
• Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas

The Financial Aid Compliance Coordinator works under general supervision and provides functional leadership and guidance for developing strategies to ensure the institution adheres to all federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies related to student financial aid. The role manages policies, procedures, and compliance in the administration of federal student aid and develops and executes compliance strategies, internal controls, and audits.

• Policy and Procedure Development and Management (25%): Leads the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the university’s financial aid policies and procedures in alignment with federal Title IV, state, and institutional requirements. Coordinates the annual review, revision, and publication of policies to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with current regulations. Ensures appropriate documentation and accessibility of procedures to support operational effectiveness and audit readiness.
• Internal Compliance Auditing and File Review (20%): Reviews Workday Student financial aid processes, reports, and configuration impacts to identify compliance risks, processing gaps, and needed procedural updates. Conducts comprehensive file reviews, including aid offers, federal verification, Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculations, enrollment changes, over‑awards, C‑flag resolution, and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Identifies compliance risks, documents findings, and recommends corrective actions to ensure regulatory adherence and processing accuracy.
  
  Monitors the financial aid operational and compliance calendar to ensure key processes are completed timely and in accordance with regulatory deadlines.
• Return of Title IV (R2T4) Processing (10%): Performs timely and accurate Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculations for all official and unofficial withdrawals in accordance with federal regulations. Ensures appropriate secondary review, documentation, reporting, and reconciliation of R2T4 transactions to maintain compliance and minimize institution liability.
• Regulatory Implementation and Staff Training (10%): Collaborates with financial aid leadership to interpret new and revised regulations and integrate requirements into business processes and systems. Develops and delivers training to financial aid staff on compliance requirements, regulatory updates, and policy changes to ensure consistent and accurate application across the office.
• Regulatory Monitoring and Analysis (10%): Actively monitors communications from the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, NASFAA, AASFAA, ADHE, and other governing bodies. Analyzes regulatory changes and guidance to assess institutional impact and supports leadership in developing appropriate compliance strategies and operational responses.
• Customer Service and Secondary Responsibilities (10%): Supports the broader Financial Aid and Veteran Benefits Office by contributing to a team‑based service model and assisting students in person, virtually, by phone, and via email. Maintains a collaborative and service‑oriented presence within the office while ensuring accurate and consistent communication. Performs other duties as assigned.
• Consumer Information Compliance (5%): Serves as a member of the university’s Consumer Information committee, ensuring financial aid‑related disclosures are accurate, complete, and compliant with federal requirements. Reviews and updates consumer information content as needed to support transparency and regulatory compliance.
• Institutional Compliance Reporting (5%): Prepares and provides required financial aid policies, procedures, and compliance documentation to the Office of the President in support of the university’s annual Compliance Calendar. Ensures timely, accurate reporting…