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Some things just naturally keep your interest.  One item of which most college students are acutely aware, and which attracts “interest” each year, is the interest rate that will be applicable to loans taken out for the new award year.  Although federal student loans taken out after July 1, 2013, have a fixed interest rate structure, loans borrowed in each award year have a different interest rate than the prior year.  The loans to be borrowed in the award year of July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018, are no exception.  And, it is of note that interest is rising. As those keen on this topic may recall, a new method of rate determination came about as a result of the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013, which overhauled the Federal Direct Student Lo

You can use the data from a student’s 2016-2017 ISIR that has an “02” IRS Request Flag code (referred to by some as the “Data Retrieval Tool” code, or DRT code) for verification of the student’s 2017-2018 ISIR data without having to request a tax return transcript. As an example, consider a student for whom you have a 2016-2017 ISIR and the ISIR has the “02” IRS Request Flag code.  The student was not selected for verification in 2016-2017.  The 2017-2018 ISIR was selected for verification, but there was no “02” IRS Request Flag code on the 2017-2018 ISIR, nor was there a SAR Comment Code 399 (which, as you will recall, is assigned when the student or parent reported different 2015 income and tax information on their 2017-2018 FAFSA than what was reported on their 2016-2017 FAFSA[1]).   In this hypothetical student example, the 2015 income on both years’ ISIRs is the same. The U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) guidance in Dear Colleague Letter GEN-16-14 states that, if there is no comment code 399, “the institution is not required to determine if there are any differences in income or

Did You Know? There are specific considerations that must be met in order for a school to be able to include the hours during which a student is at an academically-related professional “show” or “event” in its count of hours “attended” when determining that a student has completed his or her academic program. FAME has been asked on several occasions about including “show” or “event” hours attended as part of completed program hours. FAME sought guidance from the U. S. Department of Education (ED).  ED advised that typically such hours at “shows” or “events” would not be included.   The shows or events actually would have to be a part of their academic program curriculum to be counted.  Further, if they are able to be counted, they would have to be treated like an internship, etc., where supervised instruction is still being provided at an off-site location.  The school’s accrediting agency and its state approving agency would have to approve the program with those specific hours being taught in that manner. If your show or event does not meet the above criteria you may no

Did you know that the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRSDRT) at StudentLoans.gov and fafsa.gov has been unavailable for over a week with no relief in sight?  It is anticipated that the online transfer of data from the IRS will be down for several more weeks. The IRS decided to temporarily suspend the Data Retrieval Tool as a precautionary step following concerns that the tool could potentially be misused by identity thieves.  The IRS has an ongoing effort to protect the security of the data.  The IRS and FSA (Federal Student Aid) are jointly investigating the issue and working to further strengthen the security of the information provided by the DRT. Meanwhile, applicants still have the option to complete the FAFSA or IDR (Income Driven Repayment) application using a copy of their 2015 IRS tax return and if selected for verification they can request a Tax Transcript or update the ISIR once the DRT is available. As additional information becomes available FAME will post another notice. ·         2017-03-10 (General) Subject: IRS and Department of Education Statement‎ About the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)  https://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/031017IRSandDeptofE

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) posted late on Monday, March 6, 2017, that it is granting additional time for submission of an Alternate Earnings Appeal to the Gainful Employment (GE) Debt-to-Earnings (D/E) rates that were released by ED on January 9, 2017.[1]  Additionally, ED is extending the deadline by which institutions must comply with the Gainful Employment (GE) disclosure requirements, and the use of the new GE Disclosure Template, that were released in GE Electronic Announcement #103 on January 19, 2017.[2]    The reason stated for the extension of the deadlines was to allow time for ED to further review the GE regulations and their implementation.  The notice was made via one of its routine Electronic Announcements.   The new deadline by which institutions that are going to submit an Alternate Earnings Appeal must do so is July 1, 2017.  Previously, the deadline was March 10, 2017.  (The change in the deadline for submitting an Alternate Earnings Appeal did not also extend the deadline by which institutions had to submit a Notice of Intent to Appeal, which has already passed.  That deadline date for submitting the Notice of Intent to Appeal was January 2

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) distributed the FY 2014 3-Year Draft Cohort Default Rates last Monday, February 27, 2017.  Under regulations published October 28, 2009, a school's Cohort Default Rate (CDR) is calculated as the percentage of borrowers in the cohort who default before the end of the second fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the borrowers entered repayment.  This, in essence, creates the 3-year CDR.[1] The Draft CDRs were distributed to schools’ Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG) mailboxes.  The CDRs and accompanying Loan Record Detail Reports may also be downloaded via the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) via the NSLDS Professional Access Website. Schools should examine the February 27, 2017, Electronic Announcement to be reminded of the impact that will be incurred if a school’s FY 2014 official 3-year CDR is equal to or greater than 40% when the official CDR is published in September 2017, or if the school’s 3-year CDR has been 30% or greater for three years.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has updated its guidance related to acceptable documentation for verification of non-filing tax status. Per ED’s February 23, 2017, Electronic Announcement, there are four types of documents used for verification of tax filing data on the FAFSA: Tax Return Transcript Record of Account Tax Account Transcript Wage and Income Transcript (IRS Form W-2 documentation) The Electronic Announcement gives, except for the routine Tax Return Transcript, more details about the information contained on, and uses of, these less commonly obtained forms of documentation. ED does specify that “IRS documents that clearly indicate that the IRS does not have a tax return record on file for the tax year are acceptable for verification of non-filing.”  This may be wording on the document from the IRS such as, “no record of return on file” or “no transcript on file.”  Naturally, if the document requested from the IRS results in a response that the

Did You Know? Recent explanation of information received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) may alter your procedures for calculating the date of determination (DOD) in Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculations. For clarification purposes, FAME received guidance from ED that affects schools that are required to take attendance.  The amplification on prior guidance relates to R2T4 and the DOD when a scheduled break is involved in the payment period.  Here are some examples based on ED’s guidance. Scenario 1 – The student’s last day of attendance (LDA) was 12/15/16.  A scheduled break occurred from 12/23/16 until 1/8/17.  Fourteen (14) calendar days[1] started 12/16.  Therefore, the latest date allowed as the DOD occurs 12/29/16, during the break.  The date of 12/29/16 is when the school should start the withdrawal process.  The school would have 45 days (or 30, depending on school policy) from the DOD to return any federal funds, if applicable. The school should reach out to the student prior to the break to see what is going on.  Is he going t

It is important to be familiar with the following verification changes and be reminded of the requirements for subsequent ISIRs and conflicting information.  FAME is enhancing our financial aid software products to assist schools with these requirements and schools will be notified of any changes in product release announcements. Verification Beginning with 2016–2017, a student may move from Verification Tracking Group V1, V4, or V6 to group V5 based on corrections made to their CPS record or on other information available to the U.S. Department of Education.  If verification was already completed for the previous group, the student is only required to verify the V5 information that was not already verified.  If verification was not completed for the previous group, the student only needs to verify the V5 information.  No disbursements of Title IV aid may be made until the V5 verification is satisfactorily completed.  If the applicant does not complete verification, the school is not liable for any Title IV aid it disbursed prior to receiving the group V5 ISIR. The student is liable for the full amount because without verification there is no ev

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has released the final “Gainful Employment (GE) Debt-to-Earnings Rates for the for the 2015 Debt Measure Year. Per ED’s January 6, 2017 Electronic Announcement, a “GE program passes the D/E rates measure if: its annual earnings rate is less than or equal to 8 percent or its discretionary income rate is less than or equal to 20 percent. A GE program fails the D/E rates measure if: its annual earnings rate is greater than 12 percent, and its discretionary income rate is greater than 30 percent. Also, a discretionary income rate will be considered failing if its denominator is negative or zero, and an annual earnings rate will be considered failing if its denominator is zero. A GE program with D/E rates that are neither passing nor failing is in the zone. If a GE program fails or is in the zone, a tr

Happy New Year!  As if one did not know, it is the start of a new calendar year!  The beginning of a new year has come to be known, for postsecondary education institutions with Gainful Employment (GE) programs, as the time for updating the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED), Gainful Employment Disclosure Template (GEDT).  But, if you are waiting for the new year’s GEDT as the sign of the new year’s start, you may be a little late in realizing the new year has already begun! Delayed Release of GE Disclosure Template Currently, ED anticipates the release of the 2017 GE Disclosure Template in the latter part of January 2017.  The template has typically been made available in the fall of each year so that schools could ensure they had their GE Disclosure Information posted and distributed by January 31 of each year following the most recently completed award year.  This year, 2017, ED does not yet have the GEDT available for schools to use to update their GE Disclosure Information for the award year ending June 30, 2016.  The main reason stated for the delay in availability this year is due to extensive revisions to the GEDT that ar

(Or, Uncertainty in the Face of the Gainful Employment Debt to Earnings Rates) It was a long time coming!  But, the first calculation of the Gainful Employment (GE) draft Debt-to-Earnings (D/E) rates have arrived!  Almost six years to the date after the publication of the original October 29, 2010, Program Integrity Regulations which contained the original version of GE regulations, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently released the long-awaited draft GE D/E rates!  Without doubt, many schools opened that message in their Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG) mailbox with much trepidation when it arrived!  So that we may assist in alleviating any apprehension, let us review the overall GE D/E rate process, including current options as well as upcoming ones. Draft GE/DE Rates The draft GE D/E rates were calculated by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) after allowing institutions the opportunity to review and submit corrections to the GE Completers List this past summer.  The final submission of the GE Completers List was due July 28, 2016.  This GE Completers List w

(see corrections in red font below) Should Books and Supplies be Included in Tuition and Fees? The Program Integrity Regulations issued on October 30, 2015, contain several new changes, most of which became effective on July 1, 2016.  This Regulatory Bulletin is only going to cover 668.164 which addresses disbursing funds.  Specifically, we will discuss the use of Federal Student Aid funds to pay for books and supplies.  You may click on 34 CFR — Part 668, Subpart K – Cash Management for the actual regulations.   668.164  Disbursing funds.  (m) Provisions for books and supplies. (1) An institution must provide a way for a student who is eligible for title IV, HEA program funds to obtain or purchase, by the seventh day of a payment period, the books and supplies applicable to the payment period if, 10 days before the beginning of the payment period— (i) The institution could disburse the title IV, HEA program

FAME PARTNERS WITH ENROLLMENT RESOURCES TO PROVIDE SEAMLESS STUDENT EXPERIENCE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24th, 2016 Fort Lauderdale, FL – FAME, the largest third-party servicer in the US higher education market, delivering enterprise Student Information Systems (SIS) with integrated Financial Aid Services, has announced a joint agreement with Enrollment Resources, a niche marketing technology company that serves the private postsecondary market. The collaboration will provide FAME’s SIS clients with the ability to implement a mobile-friendly lead generation tool onto their website, and create qualified, exclusive leads. Through FAME’s SIS, administrators have a centralized and automated system that tracks the entire student life-cycle from admissions to student accounts, to financial aid packaging, placement tracking and reporting. With the addition of Enrollment Resources’ industry-leading Virtual Admissions Adviser (VAA), the student life-cycle is moved forward to the point where the students are just thinking about a new career. “Virtual Admissions Adviser provides an amazing opportunity to reach out and create exclusive, qualified leads

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has released the “GE Debt Measures Backup Data” detail files via the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).  The detail files were distributed through institutions’ Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG) mailboxes during the evening of October 19, 2016.  The files contain the draft Gainful Employment (GE) Debt-to-Earnings (D/E) rates for each GE program at the school, as well as the data used to calculate the rates. Several Electronic Announcements (EAs) have been distributed by ED recently which institutions should carefully review as they address several key points related to challenging the draft D/E rates, as well as information pertaining to the 45-day deadline for submitting any challenges, in addition to registration information for signing up to attend the two remaining Webinars on how to read your GE D/E rates files, along with a Webinar on how to submit challenges to the GE D/E draft rates. ED also recently released the Gainful Employment SSA Earnings Data Report via the SAIG.  It was designated as a GESSFWOP message class.  See the GE EA #91 (link provided below) fo

With the recent decision of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to end its recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as a national entity approved to accredit postsecondary institutions, schools that are accredited by ACICS have to make a decision to wait out an appeal from ACICS or gain another ED-recognized accrediting agency’s approval and submit that change to ED. ACICS has 10 calendar days to inform ED of its intent to appeal and another 20 days to file the appeal. If their appeal is denied by ED, then schools have 18 months to obtain the approval of another primary accrediting agency that is recognized by ED. A few steps will be taken by ED at this time. ED will revise the school’s Program Participation Agreement (PPA) to update its ending date to coincide with the end of the 18 months. ED will place the school on Provisional Certification or update their current Provisional Certification to amend the expiration date to also coincide with the end of the 18 month period. ED could also place additional conditions of the provisional certification such as a limitation on growth, etc. FAME cannot help you make the decision of w

How in the world did we get started?  We know and understand that we fought the Revolutionary War and created this wonderful nation of ours with the Declaration of Independence.  But, how did we know how to proceed from those tumultuous beginnings of war and a brave declaration?  We needed a Constitution. But, how many really know what our Constitution is and says?  How many know what the amendments to the Constitution are?  True, many people talk about “first amendment rights,” or perhaps “second amendment rights.”  But, who knows about the rest of the amendments?  Who even knows how many there are?  How many understand or remember the purpose for our Constitution, as stated in the Preamble to it? Our nation’s Constitution has weathered 227 years, and still remains strong.  As a testament to its enduring effectiveness, although it has had a few amendments (hint:  more than just the first ten,

A requirement of a Title IV eligible institution is to ensure students are provided voter registration information.  It seems that just as our votes are cast for one election, another election cycle is rolling full-steam ahead!  It generates a feeling that it is an ongoing process.  But, in reality, in many cases it is every two to four years between such elections.  The sense of frequency comes from the combination of both state and federal elections.  Depending upon your state, it could be either a state election for governor or state chief executive officer, or a general or special election for federal offices that is on the horizon in any particular year. Of course, this year is a federal election for president, which has generated much commentary on all sides, as depicted in the seemingly unending political advertisements and news commentators’ diatribes and sound bites.   By election

Students are in full swing applying for financial aid as they look toward beginning or resuming their postsecondary education soon. That request for financial assistance in many cases, if not most, includes applying for a Federal Direct Student Loan. These loans, known more commonly as Direct Loans (or DLs), have an interesting rate structure—pun intended. This interest rate structure came about as a result of the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013 which overhauled the Direct Loan Programs’ prior interest rate configuration. The result of that legislation is that interest rates are now determined based upon the high yield of the last auc

It is that time when millions of students are finalizing plans and preparations to attend the postsecondary institution of their choice during 2016-2017. Each year the majority of those students submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  With more frequency, the FAFSA is typically completed as the FAFSA on the Web (FOTW).  This expedites the opportunity for their FAFSA results to be processed more quickly.  That is, unless they are selected for the process called “verification.” Verification is not anything new.  It is the process of making sure that the applicant for Federal Student Aid “got it right” on their FAFSA, so to speak.  The whole verification concept began with its predecessor back in the 1980s. The, at the time, recently created U.S. Department of Education (ED), promulgated the idea of “validation.”  That validation method had a primary concentration on the accuracy of data in applications for Federal Pell Grants.  But, we must remember that correctness of data has always been a preeminent focus of the Higher Education Act (HEA) related to students’ applications.  Even before validation and verification, the HEA required

The deadline for submitting any necessary corrections to an institution’s Draft Gainful Employment (GE) Completers List is tomorrow, July 28, 2016. By now you should have made any applicable or necessary corrections to the Draft GE Completers List.  Again, the deadline is tomorrow, July 28, 2016.  The U.S. Department of Education (ED) reminded schools of this deadline in the GE Electronic Announcement (EA) #84, dated July 21, 2016. In some cases, documentation may be necessary to substantiate the corrections an institution submits.  Documentation is only submitted when, and if, requested by ED. The information related to how an institution submits supporting documentation for corrections to the GE Draft Completers List is detailed in GE Electronic Announcement #83, dated July 15, 2016. If you receive a request from ED to submit documentation, you will have three (3

Immediate Impact! Almost twenty years ago, a movie that is classified across multiple genres was released:  Deep Impact.  In this disaster drama, people learn of the impending impact of a comet on earth.  Efforts are made to negate the potential for impact from the point of discovery of the comet and its trajectory, until the comet’s projected arrival about a year later.  Suspense mounts, but there is no initial panic, because, although it would cause devastation, there was still time, and there were options to explore.  While it would create a deep impact, it was not immediate.  Thus, there was less alarm to the average person. In our professional world, schools must remain vigilant, as well, to what is barreling through the financial aid skies of legislation, regulation, authorization, and guidance.  One more recent

The Program Integrity Regulations issued on October 30, 2015, contains several new changes, most of which became effective on July 1, 2016.  This Regulatory Bulletin is only going to cover 668.164 which addresses disbursing funds.  Specifically, we will discuss the use of Federal Student Aid funds to pay for books and supplies.  You may click on 34 CFR -- Part 668, Subpart K - Cash Management for the actual regulations.  668.164   Disbursing funds.   

That the Central Processing System (CPS) had a technical issue with the Selective Service System (SSS) Match, which prevented it from providing CPS with the SSS data base match? The Electronic Announcement issued on June 28, 2016, indicated that records processed during the down time would have a blank Selective Service Match value on the SAR and ISIR field # 359. To minimize the impact to applicants and schools, the CPS continued processing application and correction data for active cycles the past week and suspended the SSS matching process. As of July 5, 2016, the technical issue was resolved, and the CPS resumed normal matching routines with the SSS and reprocessed the applications and corrections previously submitted to CPS between June 27 and June 30, 2016, which should have been sent to the SSS during the outage window, and sent system-generated records (commonly called, “pushed” ISIRs).  If a change to the ISIR occurred, it will have a “172” comment code, indicating that the resulting change was due to a report from another agency.  The reprocessed ISIR will display a “50” for the Reprocessing Code (ISIR field #230). The FAA Information page in FAA Ac

Volume 1 includes student eligibility requirements and additional eligibility requirements for specific FSA programs. Volume 2 includes institutional and program eligibility requirements, administrative and audit requirements, updating the E-App, consumer information requirements, record keeping and Program Review information. Make sure you review each volume for any “new” requirements, which are sometimes just a new interpretation by the U.S. Department of Education or changes in procedures. You will want to pay close attention to the sidebars as they contain important information such as regulatory references and links. In Volume 1, there have been changes in areas such as diplomas, immigration documents and Unusual Enrollment History (UEH). Many of the changes mentioned in Volume 2 are found in Chapter 6, Consumer Information. Therefore, it is important to review and update your documentation, policies and/or procedures, as necessary, in order to be compliant with federal requirements.

The 2016-17 Federal Student Aid Handbook, Volume 5, The Return of Title IV Funds, pages 5-84 and 5-85 clarifies the amount of Title IV funds to include in the R2T4 calculation for clock hour and non-term credit hour programs with overlapping loan periods. This latest guidance requires the institution, when the loan period (LP) does not correspond with the payment period as defined in 34 CFR 668.4 and used in the R2T4 calculation, to prorate Title IV funds to determine the amount that should be attributed to the payment period from which the student withdrew. Example #1: The student attended School A and was disbursed a $1,750 subsidized (sub) loan and $3,000 unsubsidized (unsub) loan. The academic year at School A ends on 10/09/15. The student starts School B on 8/24/15 in a 1200 clock-hour program with a 900 hour academic year, and is awarded the remaining $1,750 sub and $3,000 unsub for the 1st short LP of 8/24/15-10/09/15 due to completing the academic year at School A. The 2nd loan is processed for a 900 hour academic year with a LP of 10/10/15 – 3/11/16 for a $1,750 sub loan and a $3,000 unsub loan. Title IV payment period 1 is

One of the Q & A’s is new, DOC 28 Q & A, while others have been revised.  It is important to check the website from time to time to ensure accurate and timely processing of financial aid. Documenting High School Completion Status (DHC) DHC-Q2. Can a student who does not have a high school diploma, or its recognized equivalent, or who has not completed a secondary school education in a homeschool setting, be admitted as a regular student to a postsecondary educational institution? DHC-A2. Yes, only if the student is beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution is physically located, or is dually or concurrently enrolled in the institution and a secondary school. However the student must have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, or have completed a secondary school education in a homeschool setting in order to be eligible to receive Title IV aid. Note one exception: students may qualify for Title IV aid under one of the ATB alternatives, either because the student is “grandfathered,” as described in�

Based on additional recent guidance from the U. S. Department of Education (ED), we would like to share the following information.  This guidance may impact the credits that you submit on your E-APP from the clock to credit conversion that ultimately appear on your ECAR. When a school does a clock-to-credit hour conversion and the financial aid credit hour calculation for an individual course equals a fraction (e.g., 3.25), the school may use the actual fraction to determine the total number of financial aid (FA) credits in the program rather than rounding to the nearest 1 or .5 as some accrediting agencies require.  However, the school may not round up the fraction (example:  3.255 can be 3.255 or 3.25, but not 3.26). This is for the calculation of FA credits only.  Note: The school may not use the FA credits if they are more than the academic credits per individual course or program. Example:  Medical Assistant Program (quarter credits)

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has announced the official 45-day Review Period for the Draft “GE Completers Lists Correction Period?” The Review Period for reviewing and submitting corrections is established by ED to be from June 14, 2016, through July 28, 2016. The Review Period was announced in ED’s GE Electronic Announcement #81 on June 10, 2016.  Schools should review the information in this Electronic Announcement and submit any necessary corrections to its Draft GE Completers List by July 28, 2016. Additional clarifying information about the Draft GE Completers List was also provided in the May 31, 2016, Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #78 - Draft GE Completers List Files and the June 8, 2016, GE Electronic Announcement #80.  This information will likely be beneficial for schools to become familiar with, as well, especially the attach

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will soon be distributing institutions’ Draft “GE Completers Lists” to the institutionally designated Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG) mailbox, if an institution had one or more GE Programs with program completers in award years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. The GE Completers List is used by ED in calculating an institution’s Debt-to-Earnings (D/E) rates using the debt and earnings of students who completed Gainful Employment (GE) programs.  Once ED distributes the Draft “GE Completers’ List,” schools will have 45 days to submit any necessary corrections. ED has strongly encouraged that schools should, no later than May 13, 2016, report to NSLDS any missing GE Program information and make any necessary corrections to information previously reported.  Making any necessary corrections to data now will help to ensure that the Draft “GE Completers Lists” ED sends to the school are accurate and complete.  ED “currently” anticipates creating and releasing the Draft GE Completers Lists to schools by June 1, 2016. Schools that have not yet done so should review the data that ED has post

Attendance Monitoring and Charges for Absences or Being Tardy FAME recently completed its 2016 FAME Annual Financial Aid and Management Conference.  A question arose shortly before the conference for which guidance had been received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) related to the appropriate response. The Question about Fees or Fines for Absences or Being Tardy A question arose inquiring whether a school could assess fees or fines to a student for being late to class or for being absent from class, and have Title IV funds cover those fines or fees.  In our dialog with the U.S. Department of Education (ED), their initial response was that fees or fines a school assesses a student that are not required of all students in the program, would be considered non-institutional charges, and therefore, not included in a Return to Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculation, similar to library fines or parking fines, etc.  As with library or parking fines, ED indicated that, with the appropriate written student authorization, Title IV funds could be utilized to pay such charges as a fine or fee for being t

Q1:  What is the cost of attendance (COA) for student financial aid purposes? A1:  The COA is an estimate of the expenses a student may be expected to incur in an award year while pursuing their academic program.  It is the underpinning upon which the process of financial aid need determination begins for a student.  The COA includes both the direct and indirect costs of attending school.  The direct costs are those charged directly by the school, such as tuition and fees.  The indirect costs are the other basic necessary expenses a student experiences in order to attend and complete his or her education. Q2:  Why does the COA budget have to include things other than the costs for tuition, fees, books and supplies? A2:  The quick answer is that the components of the COA are dictated in the Higher Education Act (HEA), as amended.  The answer in more practical terms, upon which the HEA dictates are based, is that most students would not be able to attend school if the only aid they received was to cover direct tuition and fee costs.  In many instances a student is not able to work, or not as many hours, while

Prohibited!  That has been the word on the streets about incentive compensation offered by postsecondary educational institutions.  More specifically, the October 29, 2010, Program Integrity Regulations[1] made this prohibition applicable to individuals involved in the recruitment or admission of students, as well as those involved in making decisions about student financial aid.  These regulations related to incentive compensation were generally effective July 1, 2011.  But, was the ban on incentive compensation for recruiters all encompassing?  What is the latest from ED on the matter? The Challenge When the October 29, 2010, regulations were finalized, it was not long before a legal challenge to the incentive compensation section of the rules was presented.

Periodically we are asked questions regarding an interpretation of the laws, regulations, or policies related to the administration of the Title IV Federal Student Aid (FSA) Programs.  In this series we provide questions, and the related answers, generated by our interaction with clients and the U.S. Department of Education (ED).  Q1:  We are a school that teaches in quarters.  The program has three 10-week terms in the program with new students starting each term.  Can we also have a version of the program that has a 5-week term, two 10-week terms, and a 5-week term on every other “start?” A1:  The latest guidance from ED indicates that schools have the ability to create different versions of a program with different calendars (even if both are in the day).  But, the school really needs to treat these programs as two separate programs (e.g., in regard to coding, cohorts, no crossing over between programs, consumer information, and if a student switches programs they must be dropped and re-enrolled, etc.).  Every student within a particular program would follow the same academic calendar; otherwise, you would have one program taught in differ

The Program Integrity Q&A Website has been recently updated in response to questions about acceptable documentation for foreign high school diplomas.  As the New Year begins, we remind you to review your current policies and procedures and make adjustments as needed.  The following are the two questions with answers as posted by the Office of Postsecondary Education in regards to foreign high school diplomas (http://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2009/hsdiploma.html#fhd). Foreign High School Diploma (FHD) FHD-Q1. Is a high school diploma from a foreign country recognized as a valid diploma? FHD-A1. Yes, if the institution determines whether the foreign secondary school credentials are evidence of completing the equivalent of a secondary education in the United States. Institutions that do not have the expertise to make that determination themselves may use a foreign diploma evaluation service. [Guidance issued 1/24/2014] FHD-Q2. What documentation may an institution accept to verify high school completion status for an applicant who indicates that he or

Action: All currently participating schools with GE programs must submit to ED by no later than December 31, 2015, a Transitional Certification of their GE Programs’ accreditation approval and State approval.  See the June 11, 2015 Electronic Announcement for details. Action: All schools must have their GE disclosure information updated utilizing 2014-2015 data by January 31, 2016. Schools must use the updated GE disclosure template (GEDT). This template can be located online at http://ope.ed.gov/GainfulEmployment/. Action: IRS requires that you have all 1098-T generated and postmarked by January 31, 2016. Action: Waiver Request for Underuse of 2016-2017 Funds to ED are due by February 8th, 2016. Action: Collection opens for Winter IPEDS December 9, 2015 and will be closed for Keyholders February 10, 2016 and for Coordinators February 24, 2016. The components included in this submission are: Student Financial Aid; Graduation Rates; 200% Graduation Rates, Admission; and Outcome Measures. The preliminary data will be available Mid-September. Ac

Because the goodwill of those we serve is the foundation of our success, it’s a real pleasure at this holiday time to say thank you, as we wish you a year of happiness and prosperity FAME’s Office will be closed for our Annual Employee Holiday Party at 12:Noon EST on Friday, December 18, 2015 and  will resume normal office hours on Monday, December 21, 2015. FAME will also be closed on December 24th, December 25th and January 1st to celebrate the holidays with our families.

It goes without saying that most institutions of higher education in the United States today rely significantly on the ability of their students to receive funding through the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Federal Student Aid programs.  These Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs are authorized through the section of law commonly referred to as Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA), as amended.  But, these institutions are not granted, via their students’ eligibility, such resources carte blanche.  As the old saying goes, “He who has the gold makes the rules.”  Not surprisingly, ED requires institutions to exercise care in their fiduciary responsibilities of the more than $128 billion dollars being dispensed to almost 12 million students.

Time stands still for no one!  It seems as though reporting of gainful employment (GE) data to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) was just completed—with hopes that everything was reported accurately.  And, here we are again, talking about GE!  All of that information that you have worked with in the last few months since the first “new” GE reporting in July, now comes into play again.  With that being the case, it is no time to let one’s guard down.  Rather it is time to ensure you have gained the upper hand on the upcoming GE requirements.  There are at least three key items to keep in mind in the coming months regarding GE. GE Transitional Certifications Due By December 31, 2015 This topic has been discussed in various venues since the advent of “GE 2.0.”  But, part of the regulatory requirements pertaining to GE is that schools must ensure they have certified that all of their Title IV-eligible gainful employme

When students are interested in attending school, naturally they look for one that offers academic programs that prepare them for their career ambitions.  But, once they have found one that offers the academic program they are interested in, there is always a question that soon follows.  That question is:  “How much does it cost?”  The answer given in response to that question may, at times, be less than clear.  (Effective as of January 1, 2016, more specificity will be required in data provided by FAME clients.  Continue reading for more details.) Naturally, a student is interested in the direct costs applicable to the educational program; things such as tuition, required fees, typical amounts charged for required textbooks, and so on.  But, the reality is that the various costs a student incurs as they attend school include a broader scope of expenses than just those charged by the institution directly.  In order for a student to at

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is distributing email notifications to schools that may be non-compliant with GE Reporting.  The letters have indicated severe consequences such as suspending recertification, approval of new programs or additional locations applications, and initiating an administrative action against the institution. Such administrative action may include fines, limitations, suspension or termination of eligibility to participate in the Title IV, HEA programs. Institutions must report student details or the acceptable reason why reporting is not required for every program included on the NSLDS GE Program Tracker List for each award year.  It is important that all students who received Title IV aid for a program have been reported and that the information is complete and accurate.  If an acceptable reason for not reporting student data has been indicated, then you must be able to document why reporting was not required. To confirm if your institution is in compliance, you can review the NSLD

          GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT (GE) EA – Posted September 4, 2015 – (Gainful Employment).  Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #60 – GE Reporting and Resolving Incorrect Credential Level Data in NSLDS and in COD Schools are alerted to the fact that ED has sent out warning letters to schools that reported at least one loan origination record for 2014-2015 in COD where the record indicated the student was enrolled in a GE program, but the school did not submit GE data to NSLDS by the July 31, 2015, reporting deadline.  This announcement gives schools who received such a warning letter instructions on how to utilize the NSLDS GE Program Tracking List to resolve any errors in the COD System.  (For information on the GE Program Tracking functionality, see also Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #59, dated August 20, 2015.)  If a school received one of these warning letters about errors, they must not delay in making the

Q1:  If our Program Participation Agreement (PPA) is set to expire, what happens if we have not received our new PPA from ED before the expiration date? A1:  When a school submits a materially complete Recertification application on time, the school’s PPA and Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR) continues on a month-to-month basis until the review of the new application is completed. Q2:   For a clock-hour GE program, is the school’s satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy limited to 150% of the minimum number of clock hours required for training in the recognized occupation for which the program prepares the student? A2:  No.  The 150% maximum time frame for SAP purposes is totally different than the requirement that a school’s academic program length not exceed by more than 50% the minimum number of clock hours required for training in the recognized occupation for which the program prepares the student, as established by the State in which the school is located, if the State has established such a requirement, or as established by any Federal agency.  And, to clarify, for a clock-hour program, a SAP maximum time fram

The long and winding road has ended on 9/30/15.  This was the end of a one year extension for the Federal Perkins Loan Program.  According to the latest guidance received from the U. S. Department of Education (ED) (Electronic Announcement dated 10/2/15) Congress did not extend the Federal Perkins Loan Program.  As a result schools can longer originate Perkins loans to new borrowers after 9/30/15.  However, there are some exceptions to the rule as indicated in Dear Colleague Letter GEN-15-03. If a school makes a first disbursement of a Perkins loan for the 2015-2016 award year prior to 10/1/15, the school can make any remaining disbursements for that 2015-2016 loan after 9/30/15. There is also a “grandfathering” provision for 2014-2015 or earlier Perkins loans as long as all of the following conditions are met: One Perkins loan disbursement has to have been made to a student on or before 6/30/15. The student is enrolled at the same institution where the last Perkins loan disbursement was received. The student i

Action:  The new Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) regulations were effective as of July 1, 2015 and are applicable to the Annual Campus Safety and Security Report to be submitted to ED by October 15, 2015. Action:  September 30, 2015, was the last date on which a new borrower could be disbursed a first disbursement of a Federal Perkins Loan.  (Effective September 30, 2015, the Perkins Loan program has expired.)  See Dear Colleague Letter GEN-15-03. Action:  All new Federal Direct Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2015, must have the new loan origination fee percentages used when originating the loan.  The new percentage is 1.068 percent for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans, and 4.272 percent for PLUS Direct Loans.  (Remember, also, the reduction in the IASG awards by 6.8% for awards first disbursed on or after October 1, 2015, as well as a similar 6.8% reduction for TEACH Grants first disbursed on or after October 1, 2015.) Action:  ED’s annual Federal Student Aid Confere

Our early days as a nation endured a bumpy start.  As the original states were floundering in the New World, the need to live up to the name, “United States of America,” was beginning to become evident.  There was a need for unity.  Each of the states had their own interests they wanted to satisfy, but the confederation of independent states, established as a “league of friendship,”[1] was not organized to fully meet those needs.  The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, lacked in the areas of authority and ability to govern the states in matters of commerce, issues of revenue, and resolution of disputes between states.  Those “simple” matters—interstate commerce, ab

The passage of The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) reinstituted the opportunity for a student’s Title IV eligibility through ability to benefit (ATB) alternatives.  But, this ATB alternative opportunity is only available if such a student is enrolled in an "eligible career pathway program."  The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has provided some guidance in regard to eligible career pathway programs in Dear Colleague Letter GEN-15-09, but it has been quite limited in scope.  As such, numerous clients have inquired about what they consider to be an eligible career pathway programs (CPP).  We appreciate our clients' interest in the perceived opportunity they anticipate to be available via the CPPs.  Yet, the legislation allowing for CPPs is not as broad as would be hoped.  And, there has been limited and,

FAME is closely monitoring tropical storm Erika. Our corporate offices may be closed Monday/Tuesday. Please check our Client Solution Center for more information.

Sailing on the ocean is a wonderful thing.  There is the vast expanse of the horizon that is in view, and the gentle rocking of the waves that calm the soul.  But, it is a totally different picture when a major weather event comes on scene.  No longer is the view as expansive or the waves as gentle.  Clouds block the horizon and the surface gets rough and unsettling.  That is the way it sometimes happens in financial aid.  Things are going smoothly as you think you have all things appropriately in view.  You have completed the first round of gainful employment (GE) reporting, and you are enjoying the gentle scene until the next round of reporting is due.  Then, all of a sudden, another GE gale arrives and you wonder if you will be sailing on the Sea of Confusion or Consternation instead of the Sea of Clarity and Calm.  Just when you thought you had it all figured out and put to rest for a while…GE comes to the fore once more! The latest GE information presented by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) appeared as Gainful Employment Announcement #58 on

They said it would happen.  And, it is almost here!  The deadline for the first round of Gainful Employment (GE) reporting is July 31, 2015, based upon the requirements of the October 31, 2014, final regulations.  This is a date you do not want to miss! URGENCY and CONSEQUENCES STRESSED FAME staff attended a recent conference at which U.S. Department of Education (ED) staff spoke on the topic of GE reporting.  It was clearly stated that schools must have completed their GE reporting by July 31, 2015.  Failure to do so will have consequences.  Two things will happen if a school misses the July 31, 2015, reporting deadline. ED will send a letter by e-mail to the president of each institution that has GE programs.  The letter will list each of the GE programs for which the institution did not report in a timely manner.  These le

Action:  All results of verification for students selected in Verification Tracking Groups V4 and V5 must be reported within sixty (60) days of when the school requests the information from the student.  For FAME clients the reports will be submitted, however clients must appropriately enter the results of the V4 and V5 verification.  (FAME ESP clients see the August 4, 2014, “What’s New in ESP?” e-mail.  FAME Freedom FinAid clients see the August 14, 2014, “What’s New in Freedom?” e-mail.) Action:  The new Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) regulations are effective as of July 1, 2015. Action:  By July 31, 2015, schools with Gainful Employment (GE) programs must report the applicable data for each of the award years of 2008-2009 through 2013-2014.  (In limited cases, some schools must include data for 2007-2008, as well).  See the Federal Register dated October 31, 2014, for more of the specific details of the applicable regulations and requirements. Action:  The Direct Loan closeout deadline for the 2013-2014 Program Ye

Q1:  A student submitted a 2014-2015 FAFSA and a 2015-2016 FAFSA at the same time and the ISIRs for both came back the same day.  The strange thing is that her 2014-2015 FAFSA came back with no C-Code issues but her 2015-2016 FAFSA has one.  On her 2014-2015 FAFSA the first page says “your citizenship status has been confirmed by DHS and you meet requirements for federal student aid.”  However her 2015-2016 FAFSA says that “USCIS of DHS did not confirm that you are an eligible noncitizen” and she must submit proof to her school.  I understand that this means we need to submit a G-845 with a copy of her Green Card, but my question to you is do we really have to?  Since her 2014-2015 FAFSA says that DHS confirmed her citizenship why would her 2015-2016 FAFSA not say the same, especially because they were submitted and processed at the same time? A1:  The bottom line is that you are correct.  You will need to submit the G-845 for secondary confirmation.  As it currently stands, you are not able to pay based upon the 2014-2015 ISIR because you now have conflicting information since the second ISIR for 2015-2016 did not confirm her eligible status.  There ar

Student loan debt is the hot topic in the news media in recent months.  Most of the articles touching on this subject focus on the amounts students borrow, with an indication that such borrowing is out of control.  Indeed, amounts that students borrow during their academic career are rising1.  Student loan indebtedness is something about which to be cautious (as is any type of debt!).  But, beyond the increase in student loan debt is a perhaps more subtle set of concerns.  These less evident issues relate to the student debt topic from at least two perspectives.  They create the loan counseling conundrums. Conundrum #1 Traditionally, student financial aid professionals have touted caution when providing student loan counseling.  Yet, advice toward caution has often been softened or negated by the offsetting promotions made by either the same financial aid professionals, admissions counselors, or other interested parties.  The counteracting assertions made are that student loan debt is “good debt” because it is obtained with the goal of investing in the student’s future increased earning power.  Thus, students face the first loan counseling con

Those who dance understand that there are a number of specific aspects in being a great dancer.  One is confidence in knowing what steps are appropriate for the music being played.  This characteristic is also important when considering the gainful employment (GE) regulations.  It cannot be considered a truism that those who have responsibility for GE compliance on their campus must be great dancers, or that great dancers would make exceptional employees to work with the GE regulations.  However, the characteristic noted about dancers is also important for those working to comply with the GE regulations. When working with GE, it is important to be confident in the appropriate steps or requirements.  In the GE Dance, the proper steps include both disclosure and reporting requirements as put forth by the US Department of Education (ED).  While the regulations have been out for a while now, and a number of efforts have been made to distinguish the difference between the requirements related to disclosure and those related to reporting, there still seems to be a bit of stumbling in the dance. People remain uncertain of what moves constitute the correct steps.  In choreographi

GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT (GE) DCL – GEN-15-12: June 30, 2015 – Regulatory Requirements Related to Gainful Employment Programs ED has published a synopsis of all of the regulatory requirements that pertain to GE programs.  This DCL summarizes what constitutes a GE program, the disclosure and reporting requirements, the calculation of the D/E ratios and how to challenge draft D/E rates or appeal final D/E rates, as well as the requirement for transitional certification of existing programs by December 31, 2015.  Those who are new to financial aid and the world of GE responsibilities will find this an extensive introductory “summary” of the obligations applicable to the GE regulations.  It can also serve as an excellent executive summary for school leadership (presidents, CEOs, owners, etc.). GENERAL AND VARIED DCL TOPICS DCL – GEN-15-06: April 06, 2015 – Loan Counseling Requirements and Flexibilities ED presents this DCL with a hope that it helps schools remember what their loan counseling responsibilities are, and encourages schools to

            EA – Posted April 20, 2015 – (General).  150% Direct Subsidized Loan Limit:  Electronic Announcement #17 – School Misreporting of Data to COD and NSLDS This EA is an important reminder to schools of the necessity for accuracy in transmitting data to COD and NSLDS.  Of special interest in this discussion is the data related to the academic year length and the program length for the applicable loan.  Specifically, ED details two issues it has observed in data pertaining to acad

        GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT (GE) EA – Posted June 11, 2015 – (Gainful Employment).  Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #54 – Certification Requirements for Gainful Employment Programs ED reminds schools of two key points related to gainful employment (GE) programs.  First, the point is made that schools are required to ensure that their “Application for Approval to Participate in Federal Student Aid Programs” (E-App) is updated in a timely manner to make certain their Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR) is current. The other key reminder that ED brings to attention is the fact that schools that offer GE programs must submit a Transitional Certification to ED by no later than December 31, 2015.  The Transitional Certification is the school’s affirmation and assertion that each GE program is included in the institution’s accr

Swimming in murky waters is generally not what one likes to experience.  Much preferred for swimming is the crystal clear water in a newly cleaned pool, a mountain spring-fed lake, or in the waters near a coral reef off a south Pacific island.  Murky waters leave much to the imagination as to what may be just beneath the surface, with none too pleasant outcomes envisioned.  Recent news accounts of several shark attacks in shallow waters near the beaches have accentuated the need to be able to see what is in the water around you.  In similar fashion, murkiness seems to be the environment in which schools find themselves when viewing the latest guidance related to the State authorization regulations. The Murky Waters of State Authorization State authorization has been a requirement for schools to be considered eligible to participate in Title IV Federal Student Aid programs for years.  But, in 2010, in what has come to be called the Program Integrity Regulations of October 29, 20101, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) gave more specificity to what the minimum standards consis

Join our webinar to see how FAME’s predictive analytic tools coupled with your student data can provide the information you need to increase student retention and reduce loan defaults. Learn how Predictive Analytics identifies the key factors that affect students’ performance and completion rates. See how using your historical student data, coupled with the science behind the predictive analytics tools developed by Voyant Analytics and integrated with FAME’s SIS products, can accurately predict 9 out of 10 potential dropouts, saving you hundreds of thousands in lost tuition. Learn about a dynamic program that provides early assessment tools to identify learning characteristics that will assist in ensuring your students meet their academic goals and have a successful outcome, increasing your students’ academic achievements, completion rates and placement rates.  Join us to learn about these

The news reports are out1.   The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was hacked!  This is of specific interest to schools participating in the Title IV Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs.  Students and parents who apply for FSA and are selected for “verification” in the application process have potential for being directly impacted due to the hack of the IRS system. The IRS announced2 on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, that its Get Transcript Web site was hacked between February and mid-May of 2015.  It is important to note, however, that the IRS’ main database system was not accessed.  Only the Get Transcript system, which is operated separately from the main IRS computer system, was compromised in this attack.  The hackers were successful in approximately 100,000 of 200,000 attempts at gaining unauthorized access.  The IRS has indicated that it is notifying those tax filers whose information was hacked. The Issue

The response to the one word question in the title of this article resounds with a definite, “Yes!”  That is especially the response for student loan borrowers this coming award year.  The much anticipated announcement of the new interest rates for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2015, has been made.  And, the notice is favorable for borrowers who will be obtaining one of the loans available through the Federal Direct Student Loan Programs.  Interest rates have nudged downward! As a reminder, the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013 overhauled the Direct Loan Programs’ interest rate structure.  The result of that legislation is that interest rates are now determined based upon the high yield of the last auction of the 10-year Treasury notes held prior to June 1 each year.  That yield becomes the “index” in the interest rate formula.  To the index is added a margin, or what is called an “add on”.  The rat

Those in the world of financial aid are always wondering what our friendly Fed had to say.  So, we are going to tell you about what the Fed SAID.  OK.  Yes, the title of this Regulatory Bulletin is a bit of a play on words and acronyms.  But, it is to focus on the importance of what the Feds (i.e., the US Department of Education or, ED) have said is occurring as of May 10, 2015.  That is, the long-time use of the Federal Student Aid PIN is going by the wayside, just like those old car headlight dimmer switches you have seen pictures of on one of those Facebook, “who remembers what this is?” postings.  But, the FSA PIN was a necessity for students applying for Federal Student Aid (FSA)!  What happens to that process now?  As of Sunday, May 10, 2015, all students who wish to use login access for Federal Student Aid Web sites will need to utilize a new Federal Student Aid ID or, as it will be known in shorthand:  FSA ID. The change to

Action: All results of verification for students selected in Verification Tracking Groups V4 and V5 must be reported within sixty (60) days of when the school requests the information from the student. For FAME clients the reports will be submitted, however clients must appropriately enter the results of the V4 and V5 verification. (ESP clients see the August 4, 2014, “What’s New in ESP?” e-mail. Freedom FinAid clients see the August 14, 2014, “What’s New in Freedom?” e-mail.) Action: The deadline date for a waiver of the 2015-2016 Federal Work-Study Community Service requirement is April 27, 2015. The deadline for an electronic submission of a school’s waiver request is 11:59 P.M. (ET) on Monday, April 27, 2015. Action: On May 10, 2015, ED implements the new student/borrower FSA ID login process. Action: The new Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) regulations are effective July 1, 2015. Action: By July 31, 2015, schools with Gainful Employment (GE) programs must report the applicable data for each of the award years of 2008-2009 through 2013-2014. See the Federal Register dated October 31, 2014 Action: The Direct Loan closeout deadline for the 2013-2014

Q1:  We have a cost of attendance (COA) that uses national standards or averages for room and board, personal, and transportation expenses.  But, as of January 2015, for all future starts we would prefer to use the results of a student survey we have conducted.  Can we do that? A1:  There is no prohibition on ED’s part.  A school is able to review and update its Title IV policies and procedures (of which COA is a part) when appropriate.  However, the school must be clear in documenting its policies and procedures in regard to when the change occurred and how it was implemented, etc.  Naturally, the data upon which the new COA figures are based should be maintained as documentation for the COA.  Also, students should be appropriately notified and consumer information updated, etc.   There may be other points to consider regarding such changes in the middle of an award year.  For example, it can create additional challenges for staff to communicate easily and accurately with students when dealing with differing costs during the same award year.  It also has potential to generate more questions from auditors during the annual audit. Q2:  If a studen

DCL – GEN-15-03: January 30, 2015 – Wind-down of the Federal Perkins Loan Program The approaching end of an era is discussed in this DCL.  The Federal Perkins Loan Program, as modified over the years, is the first modern Federal Student Aid program.  Having originally been named the National Defense Student Loan (NDSL) program in the National Defense Education Act of 1958, it began in the era of the space race after the Russian Sputnik was launched in 1957.  It was the first student aid program geared specifically for low income students.  The program was later redesignated as the National Direct Student Loan (NDSL) program as a result of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972.  Subsequently it was again renamed in the 1986 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act in honor of U.S. Representative Carl Perkins (KY) who was an early proponent of the program as well as other student aid programs. Unless Congress intervenes before then, no Perkins Loans may be made to new borrowers after September 30, 2015.  If a loan for the 2015-2016 award year has had a disbursement made prior to September 30, 2015, the school

GENERAL AND VARIED ANNOUNCEMENTS EA – Posted January 12, 2015 – (General).  FSA ID Information – Communicating the Transition to Students ED updates the financial aid community on its major new initiative in the access to student- and borrower-based Websites related to Federal Student Aid (FSA).  As previously announced in an October 1, 2014, Electronic Announcement, this modification will implement user-selected usernames and passwords as a replacement for the current FSA PIN.  The new FSA ID will offer enhanced functionality to allow for a single sign-on process for most of FSA’s systems.  This conversion will eliminate the need for users to enter individual personal identifiers, e.g., Social Security number, date of birth, etc.�

ED has released updates to the Federal Student Aid Handbook this past quarter.  Specifically, ED has released the 2015-2016 Application and Verification Guide and Volume 4 – Processing and Managing FSA Funds of the 2015-2016 Federal Student Aid Handbook.  These updates are available on IFAP.  Schools will do well to review each of the announcements related to these FSA Handbook updates and become familiar with the enhancements provided via these announced changes.

The latest addition to the 2014-2015 Federal Student Aid Handbook was released on February 20, 2015.  This release contains the new Appendix F – Institutional Reporting and Disclosure Requirements for Federal Student Assistance Programs.  The appendix is a fairly comprehensive chart of reporting and disclosure requirements. Schools will find it to be a useful tool to aid them in their efforts to meet the requirements indicated.

PLUS Loans have been in the news in the last few years.  Specifically, the topic of interest has been the impact of an adverse credit history on PLUS Loan applicants.  For nearly twenty years, the PLUS Loan program had no noteworthy issues.  However, in 2011 the U.S. Department of Education (ED) modified the criteria to include unpaid collection accounts and charge-offs in their review of PLUS applicants’ credit history.  This was to be more closely in agreement with then current regulations.  This change was not officially announced before implementation, but rather felt by applicants and schools.  Since that time, after much public opinion was expressed, and some intermediary proactive notifications by ED to applicants who may gain eligibility after a credit history reconsideration, a slow move to change the regulations related to adverse credit meandered through the regulatory process.  The Federal Direct PLUS Loan final regulations were published on October 23, 2014. The final regulations were scheduled to be operational as of July 1, 2015.  But, ED stated in the preamble to the rules that it may implement a

 As spring has just begun, there are a number of upcoming dates to keep in mind.  In this Regulatory Bulletin reminder, we provide a brief list of important events and dates that schools need to have on their calendar.  It is important to plan your schedule of activities accordingly. March 29, 2015 – The new PLUS Loan regulations regarding adverse credit standards go into effect.  These regulations were published in the Federal Register on October 23, 2014 and posted on IFAP.  The published effective date for the regulations was July 1, 2015.  However, in a Federal Register notice on January 14, 2015, ED announced that the regulations would be implemented on March 29, 2015.  An Electronic Announcement was posted on IFAP on January 27, 2015 emphasizing this date change.  Schools must implement the new regulatory standards pertaining to adverse credi

We all likely know people who insist upon being the one who is right.  While such individuals may come across as a bit difficult to interact with, the reality is that we all do want to be right.  And, in our work-a-day world, it is important that we get it right in the critical areas of our profession.  We work in a $150 billion dollar industry as financial aid professionals,1 so there is ample need for not missing the mark in operational accuracy and effectiveness.  In this intermittent series on getting it right, we are highlighting some of the key areas in which it is critical to employ best practices in order to accomplish this goal.  The components covered in this series are:  the right people, the right service, and the right exposure.  In this segment of our series we will highl

The statement in the title of this edition of the Regulatory Bulletin is often attributed to the fictional character of Sherlock Holmes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous works.  However, that exact phrase never appeared in his works.  Nevertheless, it has become associated with the character of Sherlock Holmes who was known for his amazing detective skills, enhanced by his deductive reasoning capabilities.  With the ongoing popularity of the character of Holmes, as evidenced by a current television program based upon the original works’ premise, there is an apparent interest in the concept of applying detective skills.  In the world of financial aid, it is not uncommon that financial aid directors are charged with the responsibility to play detective.  Now is one of those times.  It is time to pull out the magnifying glass (or other symbolic tools of the trade) and begin investigating the details of your newly released draft Cohort Default Rates (CDR).  Yes, close inspection of the underlying data in this most recent draft 3-year CDR—the FY 2012 edition—is critical.  The accuracy of data in this draft rate is important to your institution’s continued parti

It does not take much effort to think of several iconic phrases to open this article, borrowing from the entertainment arena. How about, “I’m baaaack!”?  Or, maybe, “Second verse, same as the first!”?  (Well, pretty much….)  Yes, it is back.  And, yes, it is pretty much the same as before…in many ways.  Perhaps a better reference analogy would have been horror movies as this set of regulations was published on October 31, 2014.   But, in case electricity and mail have disappeared from your school in the last few months and years, let us review this new regulatory tome so that you do not miss any of the excitement.  Then, you can judge whether the sequel is better than the original. Gainful Employment Background The more recent rendition of the gainful employment (GE) moniker surfaced in 2010.  As those who have been involved with the financial aid industry since then or before will recall, the topic made the news.  New regulations presented a major shift in the accountab

DCL – GEN-14-22: December 18, 2014 – Apprenticeships and the Federal Student Aid Programs This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) highlights schools’ ability to use FSA programs to support apprenticeship programs as part of the Administration’s efforts to double the number of apprentices in the United States in the next five years.  The letter provides guidance to those schools who may offer educational programs with an apprenticeship component.   In order for a student who is in an apprenticeship program to be able to receive FSA funds, the apprenticeship component has to be part of an otherwise Title IV-eligible program.  The program must lead to a degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized credential that the institution awards.  The program must also meet all other requirements related to program length, both in regard to weeks of instructional time, as well as the number of credit or clock hours.  Any school that may offer an apprenticeship program or have a program that includes an apprenticeship component should review this DCL in detail. DCL – GEN-14-23: December

This past quarter ED released new appendices to the Federal Student Aid Handbook for the first time.  While individual volumes within the FSA Handbook have had appendices, (e.g., Volume 3 and its appendices related to the various Pell Grant formulae), this is the first time there has been an appendix to the entire Handbook.  And, since they implemented this addition, they went at it with a full swing and provided a total of 5 appendices to the FSA Handbook.  Some of the appendices were previously included as part of The Blue Book, or certain sections of the FSA Handbook.  They include such items as a glossary, and a list of common acronyms applicable to financial aid, resources and contacts for technical assistance, steps a school should take in circumstances of a student’s death, and finally, the table of contents to the Higher Education Act which may be helpful in researching specific

PROCESSING FOR 2015-2016 EA – Posted October 7, 2014 – (Application Processing).  2015-2016 ISIR Guide The 2015-2016 ISIR Guide was released with this announcement, which is an earlier release than has been historically the case.  The Guide is an extremely useful tool for financial aid administrators.  It provides all the details needed to interpret data contained on the ISIR, to include student FAFSA application data, results of the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) data matches, reject codes and reasons, etc.  Any questions one may have about the ISIR will likely be answered in the ISIR Guide. EA – Posted October 28, 2014 – (Application Processing).  2015-2016 SAR Comment Codes and Text Guide The 2015-2016 SAR Comment Codes and Text Guide is another beneficial tool that schools may use in conjunction with the ISIR Guide described earlier.  The Guide includes a description of changes to the SAR comments for 2015-2016 and gives the complete text for all 201

Action:  All results of verification for students selected in Verification Tracking Groups V4 and V5 must be reported within sixty (60) days of when the school requests the information from the student.  For FAME clients the reports will be submitted, however clients must appropriately enter the results of the V4 and V5 verification.  (ESP clients see the August 4, 2014, “What’s New in ESP?”.  Freedom FinAid clients see the August 14, 2014, “What’s New in Freedom?”) Action:  All schools must have their GE disclosure information updated utilizing 2013-2014 data by January 31, 2015.  Schools must use the updated GE Disclosure Template (GEDT) referenced in the GE Electronic Announcement # 50 that was released on IFAP on September 11, 2014. Action:  As of February 1, 2015, ED will no longer accept enrollment reporting files in file layout formats that are older than those posted to the Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) Web site on February 27, 2014 (“the new formats”). An enrollment

Q1:  If we have a student who had a G-845 received in the 2013-2014 award year and their citizenship paperwork does not expire until 2015, and we received a 2014-2015 ISIR with a C code, can we use the previously completed G-845 to confirm eligibility for the 2014-2015 award year? Or, must we complete a new G-845 for each award year? A1:  If you have confirmed the student’s eligible noncitizen status in a previous award year, and you have no conflicting information or reason to doubt the student’s claim of having an eligible noncitizen status, you are not required to perform secondary confirmation in the subsequent award year if the documents used for that prior year’s secondary confirmation have not expired. Q2:  Is there anything that would prohibit a clock hour for-profit school from having a “summer break”? A2:  There is not a Title IV regulatory prohibition to having summer breaks for any school type.  The important thing is that the school follows its approved academic year definition.  Having a summer break may provide a student retention challenge in programs that are typically offe

Recently, we began a series on getting it right.  We talked about the potential impact on operations and effectiveness when we miss the mark in our work environment.   In the $150 billion dollar world of financial aid administration1, the effect of not getting it right may cripple an institution.  There are at least three components in getting it right:  the right people, the right service, and the right exposure.  The concept of getting it right is often referred to as employing best practices.  In this segment of our series we will highlight getting it right in regard to the people in the organization. Schools that participate in the Title IV Federal Student Aid programs are aware of the regulatory requirement in

Since You Asked: FAME Frequently Asked Questions & Answers Q1:  For a clock hour program that has a 900 clock hour academic year definition which equals 1 year for Subsidized Loan Eligibility Used (SLEU) purposes, if you have a student attending 30 hours per week and a student attending 20 hours per week, should you report them both as attending fulltime for the enrollment status? The reason for the question is because if you report the 20 hours per week student as halftime, won't that calculate to be 0.5 year for the SLEU?  For both of these students, the loan period and the academic year will be reported as the start date to when they will complete 900 hours and both should calculate to be 1 year for SLEU. A1:  For the purposes of prorating subsidized usage periods under the 150% Subsidized Loan limit, ED will not acknowledge enrollment in a clock-hour program that is less than full time. Therefore, for students in such programs, schools must always report a full-time enrollment status to COD.  ED has also provided guidance that if a school has a program where student

REMINDERS: Action:  As a result of the Subsidized Direct Loan 150% limit, schools are required to start reporting to NSLDS students’ enrollment information at the program level.  Schools were able to begin using ED’s new file layouts no sooner than April 14, 2014.  All schools must begin using the new file layouts no later than October 1, 2014. Action:  As of October 1, 2014, schools must have updated their Enrollment Reporting Profile Page in NSLDS to indicate when they will be reporting NSLDS Enrollment Reporting data by the student’s academic “program”.  This is primarily as a result of the Subsidized Direct Loan 150% limit.  The date you select may not be later than October 1, 2014.  (NOTE:  FAME makes this update for its clients for whom it does Enrollment Reporting.) Action:  All results of verification for students selected in Verification Tracking Groups V4 and V5 must be reported within sixty (60) days of when the school requests the information from the student.  F

Federal Registers FR – Posted July 11, 2014 – Notice:  2014-2015 Federal Student Aid Deadline Dates This posting notifies the financial aid community of the deadline dates for reports and records related to FAFSA processing and FSA program administration.  It is important for schools to become cognizant of these deadlines and plan their operations throughout the year accordingly.  The PDF version of the Notice contains tables that highlight the various deadlines for specific points of interest.  Good practice would suggest either printing the tables out for reference throughout the year and/or transferring the dates into the institution’s own calendar system for planning and tracking purposes.  The Federal Register is available in PDF format at Federal Register, Volume 79, No. 133, Friday, July 11, 2014, and page 40084.                     THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO

ED's Dear Colleague Letters (DCLs) on IFAP - (listed by DCL category by date) DCL – GEN-14-11: June 30, 2014 – 2015-2016 Award Year:  FAFSA® Information to be Verified and Acceptable Documentation This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) offers additional information to that provided in the Federal Register on June 25, 2014 regarding 2015-2016 verification requirements and processes, etc.  Specifically, the letter highlights the required verification items for 2015-2016 and acceptable documentation for verification purposes.  Additionally, the DCL provides clarification and additional guidance on certain verification items and related acceptable documentation.  Also of note is that the DCL highlights areas where ED’s guidance has changed or expanded, e.g., dealing with non-tax filers and untaxed income, reporting parental information, guidance on State-approved tests that are considered the equivalent of a high school diploma, changes in the verification tracking groups,

ED's Electronic Announcements (EAs) on IFAP_Q4-2014 EA – Posted August 4, 2014 – (Direct Loans).  Revised Master Promissory Notes for Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans (Paper Versions) The release of newly revised Master Promissory Notes (MPN) is announced in this EA.  As is obvious, these MPNs are for those schools and/or borrowers who wish to utilize a paper MPN versus the electronic options.  The new paper MPNs have an expiration date of February 29, 2016.  Between now and December 31, 2014, borrowers may use either the new MPN

ED's Electronic Announcements (EAs) on IFAP_Q4-2014 EA – Posted September 11, 2014 – (Gainful Employment).  Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #50 – Release of the Updated Disclosure Template for Gainful Employment (GE) Programs The financial aid community is made aware of the updated GE Disclosure Template (GEDT) with the release of this EA.  Per regulation, the GEDT is specified as the tool schools are to use for disclosing the required items of information.  Schools are required to use it as their means of providing the public the necessary information mandated by regulation.  All schools must have their GE disclosure information updated utilizing 2013-2014 data by January 31, 2015.  Schools are encouraged to review this announcement with great care.  For a more detailed discussion and additional background information about the GEDT, please refer to FAME’s Regulatory Bulletin dated January 7, 2014.  

ED's Electronic Announcements (EAs) on IFAP _Q4-2014 DEFAULT RATE INFORMATION EA – September 22, 2014 – (Loans).  FY 2011 3-Year Official Cohort Default Rates Distributed September 22, 2014 Schools are informed of the release of the FY 2011 3-Year official cohort default rate (CDR) notification packages.  Schools had to have been enrolled in eCDR in order to receive the notification packages.  If a school was not enrolled in eCDR at the time of distribution of the notification packages, the school will need to access the data via the NSLDS Professional Access Web site.  The deadline for appealing any information in this CDR package began September 30, 2014.  Depending upon the specific item being appea

ED's 2014-2015 Federal Student Aid Handbook Over this past quarter ED has released numerous updates to the Federal Student Aid Handbook (FSA Handbook).  In fact, all of the remaining volumes of the 2014-2015 FSA Handbook not previously released prior to June 30, 2014, have now been published.  Specifically, the volumes distributed this past quarter to complete the 2014-2015 edition (shown with the date of the volume’s release) are: Volume 2 - School Eligibility and Operations – August 18, 2014 Volume 3 - Calculating Awards & Packaging – July 11, 2014 Volume 4 - Processing Aid and Managing Federal Student Aid Funds – July 3, 2014 Volume 5 - Withdrawals and the Return of Title IV Funds – July 9, 2014 Volume 6 - The

With a title such as is given to this article, one would think that this discussion may contain information on workplace relationships or performance.  However, there is another appropriate area for discussion in regard to the admonition to keep it professional.  In the world of Federal Student Aid, that area for exploration is the matter of professional judgment. Professional judgment is an interesting topic.  A number of schools hardly ever use this provision in the law, while some may seem to be quite zealous in the application of this component of the financial aid administrator’s tool kit.  Yet others, though they may utilize the option for professional judgment with some frequency, they do so with trepidation as they are uncomfortable with the opportunities and requirements of taking such action. In light of these differing approaches to the use of professional judgment in financial aid, we will review this topic in more depth.  While t

It seems like every week we hear about another security breach at a major company: Apple, Target, Home Depot, TJ Maxx, etc. With more and more of our personal data being stored in cloud databases, how vulnerable is our personal information? And how worried should we be about our students’ information in our Student Information System and Financial Aid systems? The short answer is, it depends on your cloud provider. When set up properly, cloud systems can be more secure than your PC at work or at home. Let’s look at how these big breaches have occurred. Naughty pics of celebrities were taken on their iPhones and uploaded to Apple’s iCloud. Apple’s database didn’t have a weakness; the celebrities’ passwords did. They were too easy to guess, and they were the same as on other applications that may have had weaker security. So use strong passwords with at least 8 characters, with a combination of upper case and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Don’t use the same password for everything. Yes, it’s hard to remember a lot of different passwords. The solution is to have a password manager application which stores your passwords to different websites.

We humans have a common trait among us.  We do not like to be wrong, or even to be perceived as being wrong.  Students in school—whether in elementary school or at postsecondary levels—frequently do not want to answer questions in class due to a fear of answering incorrectly, not getting it right, and being perceived as the class dunce.  Likewise, in our professions we also have that fear of not “getting it right,” not knowing the right information, or making mistakes.  So, in wisdom we seek guidance on how we should do things.  In fact, a term has been developed over the years that indicate a professional’s desire to know the answer on pertinent topics and to ensure that he or she is performing at expected standards.  The descriptor that has developed is “best practices.”  In the realm of financial aid we also hear of best practices.  The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) at one time conducted an

It slips the memory at the moment as to where and when, but as a child growing up this writer heard that terminology used to describe an individual.   As the adults were talking they said, “He is a boy of strong constitution.”  The word was new in my vocabulary, or at least as used in that context.  But, the meaning was immediately understood.  They were referring to the individual’s health, stamina, and demeanor.  But, more importantly, their words spoke of his character.  By use of that phrase they were actually speaking to the very make-up or nature of the individual, his overall being, and what made him who he was.  Some things the boy could change, such as his attire, his favorite flavor of ice cream, or perhaps his hobbies.  But, who he was—his inmost character—no, that would not change.  He had a recognizably strong constitution. Our nation, the United States of America, has a strong Constitution.  The Constitution has weathered 227 years, but remains strong.  It

For those who subscribe to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the need for safety and security is foundational, just after the basic physiological needs of air, water, food, shelter, etc.  As humans, with or without Maslow’s chart, it is a given that we place a strong emphasis on safety and security.  This is evidenced in our society partly by the laws we enact.  Even the higher education community has legislation for which it is responsible that is related to individuals’ safety and security needs.  Those in the postsecondary education arena know well what that means, especially at this season of the year.  It is once again time for the 2014 edition of the annual Campus Safety and Security Survey, which the U.S. Department of Education (ED) so graciously provides.  But, before we delve into the requirements and time frame for completing the survey, let us explore some concepts and terminolo

  The fact that change occurs has been our topic for the past three weeks.  Change happens and it presents in many areas that have practical implications.  Thus far, we have discussed the reality that change may bring positive results.  Other changes on campuses for which we have addressed points for consideration include changes in key personnel and changes in ownership or control of an institution.  In this edition of the Regulatory Bulletin we consider another change which we observe a greater preponderance of today than in the past.  That situation is when a school either changes locations or adds a new location.  It is almost like multi-Grammy Award winner Michael W. Smith singing that he is trying to “find my place in this world”; or perhaps a similar sentiment expressed by more recent Grammy winner, Taylor Swift, as she sang she was

  FAME Invites you to take part in a complimentary webinar! Learn How to Dramatically Improve the Default Prevention Process at Your Institution On Friday, August 29th 2 pm EST, we will be hosting a webinar conducted by Stephen Epstein, creator of the DollarCamp Default Prevention System.   Why you should attend this Webinar: See why current enrollment interviews and exit counseling are ineffective and don't work Learn how to overcome the main obstacle of getting students to repay their loans Discuss the THREE main barriers to students' understanding of their loans and how to overcome them Learn about innovative solutions that will reduce default rates and boost enrollment (which begin to work as soon as you implement them!)  

Change can create a loss of control.  But, conversely, change brings new control.  Otherwise, change would result only in chaos.  Our discussion last week included important considerations when there was a change in personnel in a key role at a school, i.e., the director of financial aid.  This week’s focus is on another frequent occurrence of change in some segments of higher education.  That situation is when there is a change of control of an institution.  Some involved in such a change may, depending upon their era growing up, believe they are like Frank Sinatra and want to “have it my way.”  Or, for those in more recent years, they may see such change as expressed by Janet Jackson when she sang, “I wanna be the one in control.”  Yes, changes in institutional control or ownership may have some of that thought process behind the reasons for the change, but we will leave that f

Change does happen.  We talked last week about what some of the impacts of change may be, along with how to see change as an opportunity.  This week we continue with the same topic, but look specifically at one of the common changes that occur in the financial aid world.  Hank Williams sang, “You’re gonna change, or I’m gonna leave.”  That may be what a financial aid director is saying to his boss!  Or, it may be that the boss slightly modified the song to sing to the financial aid director, “you’re gonna change, and you’re gonna leave!”  Either way, whether the financial aid director makes an abrupt decision to change jobs, or the boss helps her make the decision, it is not an infrequent occurrence to see a change in who fills the role of financial aid director.  What is the impact when there is a switch in the person in this role?

We hear much about “change” from such great authors as Spencer Johnson in Who Moved My Cheese? and Stephen Covey in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, among many others.  As we know, change is a constant factor in financial aid—from ongoing changes in legislation, regulation, and policy changes on a federal or state level, to changes in key staffing roles and perhaps, even institutional direction.  In such conditions, how does one maintain and even enhance excellence in the financial aid environment?  Let us consider the topic of “change” and some common changes in the financial aid arena in a short series.  This week we will address general concepts of change and implications of such.  In the following weeks, we will look more specifically at some of the familiar changes that schools encounter that impact financial aid.  Specifically, we will address consideration

The U.S, Department of Education announced on July 18, 2014 that close to 200,000 Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) will be reprocessed the evening of Monday, July 21, 2014. The cause for the reprocessing is due to the fact that at least that many applicants for Federal Student Aid (FSA) incorrectly entered data on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) when completing the FAFSA-on-the-Web. The errors have the potential to significantly impact those students’ eligibility for aid such as the Federal Pell Grant, as well as other types of FSA programs such as Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loans (Direct Loans) and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), etc. The ISIR Issue The issue arises from applicants that incorrectly entered income earned from work and adjusted gross income (AGI) figures with a decimal point. The instructions for completing those f