Loan Forgiveness Jobs in Chicago, IL

Entry‑level Policy Analyst or Compliance Specialist: $55,000–$70,000. Mid‑level Analyst or Program Manager: $70,000–$90,000. Senior Analyst, Lead Data Scientist, or Program Director: $90,000–$120,000. Director or Chief Program Officer: $120,000–$160,000.

Core skills include legislative research, data analysis in Python or R, SQL querying, and proficiency with Excel, Power BI, and Salesforce. Certifications that boost credibility are Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Certified Policy Analyst (CPA). Knowledge of federal student‑loan statutes, the Higher Education Act, and public‑sector budgeting is essential.

Yes—about 60% of listings allow fully remote or hybrid arrangements. Employers use Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and cloud‑based data platforms (AWS, Azure) to support distributed teams. Candidates should be comfortable with virtual collaboration and self‑management.

Typical paths start with Analyst or Specialist → Senior Analyst or Lead Data Scientist → Program Manager or Compliance Lead → Director of Program Management → Chief Program Officer. Advancement requires demonstrated policy impact, project‑management expertise, and stakeholder‑engagement skills.

Current trends include AI‑driven borrower‑matching algorithms, blockchain for secure eligibility verification, and increased legislative focus on expanding Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Data transparency initiatives and partnerships with fintech firms are creating demand for analytics roles that can translate policy into actionable insights.