School Certifying Official I

National University•Remote, California, CA

13d•$20 - $23•Remote

About The Position

The School Certifying Official (SCO) advises and assists students in navigating Veteran Education Benefits (VEB), certifies student enrollment statuses to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and liaises with students, University teams, and the VA. The SCO provides customer service and support to eligible veterans, civilians, military students, and family members who apply for or receive VEB. The work emphasizes accuracy, timeliness, regulatory compliance, and adherence to University policies and procedures. The SCO interprets and explains VA regulatory changes and evaluates and monitors student eligibility for benefits processing. As a key student contact, the SCO provides service from a student’s first course through graduation. Much of the work involves certifying enrollments and communicating by phone, email, text, and chat to resolve issues and complaints and help students overcome challenges that could hinder progress toward graduation. The role evaluates student enrollment, financial, financial aid, and academic information; processes VA certifications and documentation; coordinates with University departments and VA offices; updates and reconciles records; and supports compliant, timely delivery of benefits. The SCO also contributes to office procedures, reconciles payments, attends relevant military and VA training, and helps improve services and processes. The position is remote in the USA, with some travel potentially required for VA training conferences.

Requirements

An associate degree from an accredited college or university and/or equivalent work experience will be considered; a bachelor's degree is preferred.
Minimum of two years of related experience as an SCO, VEB specialist, financial aid specialist, or in a student-facing position at an accredited college or university, or equivalent, is preferred.
Knowledge of Veteran Education Benefits and other financial aid programs, including Federal Student Aid, Tuition Assistance, and private education loans.
Knowledge of certifying enrollment status for students using VEB.
Knowledge of VA Once.
Knowledge of academic and business practices in an online environment and of University policies and procedures.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Outlook, Excel, and Word.
Ability to support a collaborative work environment.
Strong communication and listening skills, with the ability to adapt communication style to the audience, including in escalated situations.
Ability to make perceptive, decisive, timely, and well-informed decisions, including when information is limited or outcomes are difficult.
Ability to de-escalate students and mitigate and resolve complaints.
Excellent customer service and oral and written communication skills.
Ability to operate computers, fax machines, scanners/copiers, and texting and phone systems.
Ability to use technology for web navigation, word processing, spreadsheets, email, and electronic messaging.
Ability to recognize when to seek leadership guidance or assistance.
Ability to understand complex student situations and regulatory information and communicate it in terms the audience can understand.
Ability to travel to conferences as necessary.
Ability to use and facilitate online communications through email and other technology-based media.
Ability to problem-solve and resolve student complaints.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to provide VEB services in a physical campus and/or online environment.
Ability to prepare professional letters, reports, and business correspondence.
Ability to collaborate with enrollment management and financial aid teams regarding other financial aid programs and options.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.
At least two years of related experience as an SCO, VEB specialist, financial aid specialist, or student-facing professional at an accredited college or university, or equivalent.
Experience with VA Once.
Experience in higher education.
Experience working in a technology-driven enterprise.

Responsibilities

Evaluate student eligibility and requirements for the University to receive military benefits by analyzing enrollment, financial accounts, other financial aid, and academic records, and interpreting relevant regulatory changes.
Process VA enrollment certifications for eligible students, coordinating with the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and other applicable University departments.
Ensure benefits documentation, certification forms, and status change forms are processed accurately and on time.
Interview students and veterans; coordinate benefits delivery with central and regional VA processing offices; process advance payment requests as appropriate.
Update PeopleSoft, reconcile University records with VA certification records, research benefit histories, review enrollment reports, and update student accounts as required.
File VA documentation promptly and safeguard and retain paper and electronic records appropriately.
Assist with developing and revising office policies and procedures.
Reconcile incoming payments and prepare deposits for the University Cashier.
Attend military meetings, workshops, webinars, and other events affecting student benefits, student success, or University compliance.
Troubleshoot student issues and assist leaders in working with military funding sources to investigate and resolve complaints.
Disseminate Shopping Sheets to prospective students and communicate regulatory changes affecting continuing students’ eligibility for military benefits.
Promote quality improvements in office policies, procedures, and benefit-delivery practices.
Maintain reasonable and consistent attendance and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Comprehensive well-being benefits for employees and their families are offered as part of the total rewards package; details are available on the University benefits website.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume