Existing employer? Sign in
Columbia University
Loan Analyst, Financial Aid
🇺🇸
Hybrid - New York, New York
🕑
Full-Time
💰
$75K - $80K
💻
Financial Aid
🗓️
September 3rd, 2026
Financial Aid
Compliance
Higher Ed
Edtech.com's Summary
Columbia University is hiring a Loan Analyst, Financial Aid. The analyst manages quality assurance, data processing, and monthly reconciliation for Federal, Private, and Institutional loan programs. This work supports fiscal compliance, audit readiness, and streamlined loan administration across the university's financial aid offices.
Highlights
- Process and reconcile Common Origination & Disbursement (COD) system files each month per federal guidelines.
- Coordinate error resolution and data corrections with individual university financial aid offices.
- Perform quality assurance reporting across the Federal Direct Loan program.
- Partner with Accounting & Business Management and the Controller's Office on monthly loan reconciliations.
- Serve as liaison to the Department of Education and loan servicers on origination and disbursement matters.
- Support internal and external audits of Title IV loan programs.
- Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of related experience.
- Salary range $75,000-$80,000 per year.
Loan Analyst, Financial Aid Full Description
Student Financial Services
Loan Analyst, Financial Aid-Hybrid Schedule
559436
Manhattanville
Student Financial Services
Full Time
Opening on: Sep 2 2026
Grade 11
Job Type:
Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary:
Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week:
full time-35 hours
Standard Work Schedule:
Building:
Salary Range:
$75,000-$80,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Associate Director of University Financial Aid Loans, the Loan Analyst manages quality assurance, data processing, and monthly reconciliation functions for all Federal, Private, and Institutional loan programs. This role ensures fiscal compliance, audit readiness, and streamlined loan administration across all university financial aid offices, and supports institutional compliance with Title IV regulations, FERPA, and federal reporting obligations.
Responsibilities
- File & System Management: Process and manage Common Origination & Disbursement (COD) system files (including origination, disbursement, response, financial aid history, and transfer student monitoring) and execute required monthly reconciliations per federal guidelines.
- Error Resolution & Data Integrity: Coordinate edits, updates, and error files with individual university financial aid offices to ensure proper delivery and correction of data, while maintaining compliance with FERPA and institutional data security standards.
- Quality Assurance & Documentation: Perform quality assurance reporting and analysis across the Federal Direct Loan program, maintaining process documentation and ensuring strict adherence to Title IV regulations, applicable federal guidance, and university operating policies.
- Financial Reconciliation: Partner with University Financial Aid, Accounting & Business Management, and the Controller’s Office to execute monthly reconciliations across all Federal, Private, and Institutional loan activity, including support for Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculations and related fiscal adjustments as needed.
- Operational Support: Monitor reconciliation schedules, assist in maintaining the University Financial Aid Loan Processing and Reconciliation Manual, and support the Request for Information/Proposal (RFI/RFP) process for alternative loan options.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Build and maintain strong working relationships with departmental financial aid offices to streamline loan awards, originations, disbursements, and communications, and serve as a liaison to the Department of Education (COD/FSA/Partner Connect) and loan servicers on origination, disbursement and reconciliation matters.
- Audit and Compliance Support: Support internal and external audit processes related to Title IV loan programs, including preparation of documentation and responses for annual compliance reviews.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
- Minimum of 2 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Working knowledge of Federal Student Aid regulations preferred.
- Experience with PowerFAIDS strongly preferred.
- Experience with student information systems is a plus.
- NASFAA credential(s) or equivalent financial aid administration training a plus.
Other Requirements
- Understanding of Federal and Private loan programs required.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) and basic accounting concepts required.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage conflicting priorities, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment, particularly during peak disbursement periods (fall/spring terms).
- Exceptional detail orientation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and written/verbal communication skills.
- Strong service orientation and ability to collaborate effectively across all organizational levels.
- Must have passion for excellent customer service and a commitment to exceptional quality.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Similar Jobs
Student Financial Aid Coordinator II (Outreach, Training, and Compliance)
University of Florida
🇺🇸 Gainesville, Florida
Student Finance Service Specialist
University of North Texas System
🇺🇸 Fort Worth, Texas
Director, Financial Aid Programs and Administration
Kent State University
🇺🇸 Kent, Ohio
Financial Aid Advisor
Concorde Career Colleges
🇺🇸 Tampa, Florida
Financial Aid Associate
Stanbridge University
🇺🇸 Irvine, California
