School Certifying Officer (SCO)
DESCRIPTION OF JOB:
The School Certifying Official (SCO) serves as the institution’s authorized representative to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for all matters related to VA education benefits. The SCO ensures accurate and timely certification of student enrollment, maintains institutional compliance with federal and state approving agency regulations, and safeguards the integrity of veterans’ educational benefits. This position requires high attention to detail, strong regulatory judgment, and the ability to establish and maintain formal processes in a complex academic environment.
This is a primary School Certifying Official (SCO) position. The administration, oversight, and regulatory compliance of VA and military-related education benefits constitute the majority and core function of this role. Secondary Registrar responsibilities are assigned in alignment with SCO workload cycles and may be adjusted to preserve compliance integrity. Secondary responsibilities shall not compromise the timely and compliant execution of SCO duties.
Responsibilities:
Certification & Reporting
- Certify student enrollments and tuition/fee data through VA, DoD, and the State of Wisconsin systems.
- Monitor and report enrollment changes (adds, drops, withdrawals, program changes, leaves of absence).
- Ensure all certified coursework applies directly to the student’s approved degree objective.
- Maintain accurate records supporting all certifications.
Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
- Serve as primary liaison with the VA and the State Approving Agency (SAA).
- Maintain current institutional program approvals for VA eligibility.
- Prepare for and manage VA compliance surveys and audits.
- Maintain institutional readiness for VA compliance at all times.
- Develop written procedures and internal controls for VA certification processes.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting in accordance with federal regulations.
- Updating DoD Tuition Assistance Databases
- Act as the primary point of contact for veteran students, dependents, active-duty service members, and VA representatives regarding education benefits certification, required documentation, policies, and procedures.
Institutional Coordination
- Collaborate with Registrar, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Military & Veterans Services Office, and Student Accounts.
- Monitor satisfactory academic progress requirements as they relate to VA, DoD, and the State of Wisconsin program eligibility.
- Ensure catalog, program, and course data align with approved degree objectives.
Student Support
- Provide guidance to students using VA benefits regarding certification procedures.
- Interpret Certificates of Eligibility and benefit letters.
- Direct students to appropriate VA resources when needed.
- Delivers timely, professional, and courteous correspondence with students.
Process Development
- Establish internal certification timelines and documentation standards.
- Develop tracking systems for enrollment changes.
- Train and maintain at least one designated backup SCO.
- Update and standardize documents and resources for certification of benefits to VA, DoD, and the State of Wisconsin, along with internal stakeholders.
Secondary Registrar Responsibilities (Limited Scope)
- Support selected Registrar operations, including record maintenance and enrollment processing as assigned
- Assist with data reconciliation and academic accuracy initiatives
- Participate in cross-training to ensure operational continuity within the Registrar’s Office
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Necessary Education or Work Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Minimum of 1 year experience in Registrar, Financial Aid, compliance, or related higher education administrative role.
- Demonstrated experience working with federal regulatory requirements.
- Strong analytical and documentation skills.
- Ability to manage deadlines with precision and consistency.
- High level of professional discretion and judgment.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
- Prior experience as a School Certifying Official.
- Experience with VA Enrollment Manager and/or federal/state benefit systems.
- Experience working with veterans or military-affiliated students.
- Familiarity with academic catalog governance and degree audit systems.
Other Qualifications:
Edgewood University, a Catholic university sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to academic excellence through diversity in its faculty, staff, and students. Candidates must demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities are especially encouraged to apply. The selected candidate must actively support the mission of the University by working with faculty, staff and students to share in our core values – truth, compassion, justice, partnership, and community.
Must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States without Employer Sponsorship.
How to Apply
Send one PDF document which includes cover letter, resume, and references with a subject line that includes the position code SCO1:
Edgewood University
Human Resources – SCO1
1000 Edgewood College Drive
Madison, WI 53711
E-mail: humanresources@edgewood.edu
Equal Opportunity Employer