Federal Programs Operations Specialist

Colorado State University; Fort Collins (CO); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Colorado State University is seeking a Federal Programs Operations Specialist to ensure proper administration of federal and state financial aid funds and related programs. The role emphasizes regulatory compliance and accurate data handling to support student access and success.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of experience with database tools and MS Excel/Access, with opportunities to collaborate across departments and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written communication skills as demonstrated in application materials.
• Minimum of one year of experience with computer applications (MS Excel, Access, or other database programs) and prior database entry experience.

Responsibilities

• Ensure financial aid programs are administered within federal, state, internal, and external regulations.
• Reconcile University financial aid records with data from federal systems by correcting errors and updating accounts.
• Review and work various reports on federal, state, and institutional disbursements.
• Assist with projects within the Federal Programs Team (document processing, ISIR reviews, unusual enrollment history, etc.).
• Represent OFA and Colorado State University to outside agencies and partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Database experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Excel

Access

Job description

## Federal Programs Operations SpecialistApply: Eligible for hybrid/on-site work: Fort Collins, CO: Full time: Posted Today: R2026107760# Job Description## Position Summary:The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) oversees and administers financial aid, residency, and student employment. OFA operates under the Division of Enrollment and Access to provide student-centered assistance by working under federal, state, and university guidance, enabling students to enroll, manage their finances, achieve their academic goals, and graduate in a timely manner. Seventy-five percent of CSU students are financial aid recipients, and OFA disburses over $300 million of financial aid annually. OFA seeks professionals who wholeheartedly believe in access to and success in higher education. The Federal Programs Operations Specialist has primary responsibility to ensure that programs are administered within federal, state, internal, and external regulations. The Federal Programs Operations Specialist is instrumental in delivering federal and external funds, which serves the purpose of attracting, recruiting, and retaining students to Colorado State University. This function is always performed in a way that enhances the University’s ability to effectively deliver on its mission. ## Full Consideration Date:For full consideration, application materials must be submitted by 11:59 pm (MT) on Monday, 10/19/2026. ## Essential Job Duties:* Ensure financial aid programs are administered within federal, state, internal, and external regulations.* Reconciles University financial aid records with information received from the Federal Department of Education Common Origination and Disbursement Center and / or the National Student Loan Data System by correcting errors, updating accounts, and sending changes.* Reviews and works various reports of technical data on federal, state, and institutional financial aid disbursements.* Assists as needed with projects within the Federal Programs Team, including but not limited to support for document processing, review of subsequent ISIRs, Unusual Enrollment History, Transfer Monitoring Alerts, aid cancellation, and aid year setup.* Represent OFA and Colorado State University to outside agencies, professional associations, and partners.* Other duties as assigned. ## Conditions of Employment:* Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).* Travel - to conferences for federal updates, industry training, etc.* Credit Check Required.* Fingerprinting Required.* The successful candidate for the must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by the proposed start date; The Office of Financial Aid will not provide visa sponsorship for this position. ## Supervision:None ## Minimum Qualifications:* Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education.* Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.* Excellent written communications skills, as demonstrated by application materials submitted.* Minimum of one (1) year of experience with computer application skills (MS Excel, Access, or other database programs), and prior experience with database entry. ## Preferred Qualifications:* Working knowledge of Ellucian Banner student information systems.* Demonstrated experience with Federal Student Aid databases (FSA Partner Portal, NSLDS, COD).* Demonstrated experience working effectively independently and as a team player. ## Application Instructions:Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume as one document that demonstrates **any and all** of the required and preferred qualification that they meet.# Salary Range$48,000 - $52,000# Required Application DocumentsTo apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.Cover Letter, Resume/CV