Event Overview
The COVID-era emergence of progressively advanced AI and more sophisticated bots has inevitably yielded increasingly complex fraud schemes, and higher education institutions are prime targets. It is imperative for schools to proactively prepare for and manage fraud risks now versus reacting to a crisis later. Hear from a Certified Financial Aid Administrator® with more than 20 years of experience in higher-ed—including surviving a school’s cybersecurity attack—and a Certified Fraud Examiner/Certified Forensic Examiner who specializes in internal control weaknesses that can lead to fraud, as they discuss ways to insulate your institution against both internal and external attacks. We will provide an overview of the types of fraud prevalent in higher education, beginning with bogus admissions applications, but with a specific focus on threats to financial aid funds. We will also delve into case studies and real-life examples to illustrate the tactics used by fraudsters to exploit vulnerabilities in the system and explore proactive measures to mitigate these risks. Help your school recognize red flags indicative of potential fraudulent activities, and implement best practices for combating and reporting fraud incidents.
- Determine the most common fraud schemes in higher education
- Analyze true case studies in higher ed fraud and the resulting consequences
- Explore strategies to implement to detect and mitigate fraudulent attempts
Susan StephensonSenior ManagerSusan has 20 years of experience in higher education as a Financial Aid Director, Admissions Director and Enrollment Management Executive Director overseeing multiple student services areas. She is a respected leader in state, regional and national financial aid and admissions associations, including serving on boards as President, Treasurer, and Secretary; chairing many association committees, such as Training, Membership and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging; and serving as a leadership mentor in financial aid. She is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and has presented at all levels. Her favorite volunteer gig was as a faculty member for many years at RMASFAA’s annual Summer Institute, a nationally recognized week of intensive training for financial aid administrators.
Brandon M. Waldren, CPA, CFE, CFISenior ManagerBrandon assists clients in understanding their internal control weaknesses that could lead to a material misstatement or fraud. If fraud is suspected or discovered, he works diligently to understand the extent of the damage and how to prevent it from happening again.
- CPE Credits1
- Field Of StudySpecialized Knowledge
- Level Of KnowledgeBasic
- Delivery MethodGroup-Internet Based
