David Charlow
David Charlow CC '85, MBA '92 is a former Columbia financial aid director who was allegedly corrupt. Charlow profitted from sales of stock in a company called Education Lending Group. The group runs a service called Student Loan Xpress. Approximately one year after Charlow's sale of ELG stock,SLX was classified as a preferred lender[1] at Columbia. This represented a clear conflict of interest for David Charlow, although subsequent review of SLX loan packages suggested that the "preferred lender" status was consistent with its package relative to that of other lenders.
Charlow was suspended and placed under investigation by the New York State Attorney General's office.[2][3] In May 2007, shortly after Commencement, Charlow was fired.[4]
Other financial aid directors at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Southern California were involved in similar scandals, although Charlow was never charged for any crime.
Charlow, who rowed for Columbia for four years, and coached the lightweight crew team from 1987-1989, had been a candidate to succeed Athletics Director John Reeves in 2004.[5]
References
- ↑ Comparison of CU preferred lenders
- ↑ "Charlow Suspended Amid Allegations of Corruption", Columbia Spectator, April 5, 2007.
- ↑ "Student Loans Led to Benefits by College Aides", New York Times, April 5, 2007.
- ↑ ["David Charlow, Associate VP of Student Affairs and Head of Financial Aid Suspended", CTV, April 5, 2007.]
- ↑ CU Financial Aid Director Considered for AD Job - The Spectator April 28, 2004
