OFAC Screening for Schools
Why schools must screen against OFAC sanctions lists
OFAC enforcement applies to educational institutions. Schools that accept tuition, donations, or research funding without screening face civil penalties — even for unintentional violations.
OFAC Enforcement
$1.72M: the cost of not screening
IMG Academy settled 89 violations for accepting tuition from SDN-listed individuals. OFAC found the school never screened — despite names being publicly available on the SDN list.
$1.72M
Settlement amount
89
Apparent violations
0
Screenings the school performed
Why Schools Are at Risk
Education is now an OFAC enforcement target
Schools process tuition, donations, and grants from international sources — the same transaction types OFAC monitors in financial institutions.
Strict liability
OFAC penalties apply regardless of intent. Schools can be fined even if they had no knowledge that a payor was sanctioned.
Publicly available lists
The SDN list is free and publicly accessible. OFAC expects institutions to check it. Failure to do so constitutes "reckless disregard."
International money flows
Schools accepting tuition from international payors, foreign donors, or overseas sponsors are engaging in the same transaction types OFAC regulates.
Growing regulatory attention
NAIS and NBOA have issued guidance recommending sanctions screening programs for independent schools and universities.
Board and fiduciary exposure
School boards and officers may face personal liability if the institution lacks a reasonable compliance program.
Reputational risk
OFAC enforcement actions are public. A settlement can damage enrollment, fundraising, and institutional reputation.
Built for Schools
Screening that fits your enrollment workflow
SecurePoint Education integrates screening into your existing enrollment and finance processes — no IT buildout required.
- Screen students, payors, and sponsors individually or in bulk
- Automated re-screening when sanctions lists are updated
- AI-assisted match review with confidence scoring
- Evidence packs document every screening and decision
OFAC screening for schools — FAQ
Common questions about OFAC sanctions compliance for educational institutions.
Start screening before the next enforcement action
Most schools are live within 48 hours. No IT integration required.