ED's Office of the Ombudsman
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently released a Dear Partner Letter GEN-00-04 regarding ED's Office of the Ombudsman for student loans. The Dear Partner Letter provides schools and lenders with information necessary to comply with the requirements of notifying borrowers of the availability of the Office of the Ombudsman (also see UHEAA Bulletin Volume 2000 - Issue 24). Final regulations regarding the Ombudsman have been provided as an attachment to GEN-00-04, as well as the notification information listed below. Additional guidance from ED clarifies that providing contact information is sufficient to meet the notification requirements.
Questions regarding this Dear Partner Letter should be directed to ED's Office of the Ombudsman at 1-202-401-4498 (Washington, D.C.), toll free at 1-877-557-2575. A copy of GEN-00-04 can be obtained from ED's web site at http://ifap.ed.gov. If you are unable to access ED's web site and would like a hard copy, please contact Lynda Reid at (801) 321-7211. Any questions regarding this Bulletin should be directed to the UHEAA Policy and Training Department at (801) 321-7166 or by e-mail at cjudd@utahsbr.edu.Internet:
http://sfahelp.ed.gov
or
http://ombudsman.ed.govToll Free Telephone:
1-877-557-2575Mail:
Office of the Ombudsman
Student Financial Assistance
U.S. Department of Education
Rm. 3012, ROB #3
7th and D Streets, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5144