Loan Limit on Funding Estimate Does Not Match NSLDS

Issue

When creating or reviewing a funding estimate, the Subsidized or Unsubsidized loan limit shown in Campus Ivy is higher than what NSLDS reflects for the student. The FA office suspects this is a system error or data mismatch.

Why This Happens

Campus Ivy calculates loan eligibility based on the student's academic level, dependency status, and the remaining loan limit after subtracting prior loan amounts pulled from NSLDS. A discrepancy between NSLDS and the FE can occur for several reasons:

• NSLDS data not yet refreshed: NSLDS updates are not real-time. If a recent disbursement or origination was reported to NSLDS after the ISIR was pulled, the FE may reflect the older (higher) remaining limit.
• Academic level difference: If the student's academic level in Campus Ivy differs from what was reported to NSLDS (e.g., enrolled as a second-year student but NSLDS shows first-year loan history), the calculated annual limit will differ.
• Loan limit override: A prior manual configuration at the school or program level may have adjusted the expected loan limits.

Steps to Resolve

1. Compare the student's total lifetime loan borrowing in NSLDS against what Campus Ivy shows as previously borrowed. Note any disbursements that appear in one system but not the other.
2. Confirm the student's academic level in Campus Ivy matches their actual year in the program and their NSLDS record.
3. If the discrepancy cannot be explained by a timing lag or level difference, submit a ticket to CI Financial Aid with:
   • Student name and ID
   • FE number
   • NSLDS loan balance as of today
   • Loan limit shown in the FE
   • Student's academic level in Campus Ivy
4. Do not disburse loans above the NSLDS limit. If there is a true discrepancy, the CI Financial Aid team will investigate before the batch is submitted.

Important Notes

• Over-awarding a Direct Loan above the student's remaining annual or aggregate limit is a reportable error. When in doubt, do not process the disbursement until the discrepancy is resolved.