Review of Recent Announcements
As a service to its participating schools and lenders, Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority offers the following review of recent announcements and releases from the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, and related sources. These reminders cover topics of general interest and importance that relate to the administration of federal student aid.
Dear Partner/Colleague Letters
Date: May 1, 2009
ANN-09-10
Summary: Federal Student Aid (FSA) released the first of three online, self-paced learning modules on EDExpress Basics for 2009-2010. The Web-based training products teach users the basic skills needed to access and navigate the EDExpress and EDconnect software.
http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/ANN0910.html
Date: May 8, 2009
GEN-09-05
Summary: This letter provides information to financial aid administrators regarding their ability to exercise properly documented professional judgment during this period of economic hardship.
http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0905.html
Date: May 15, 2009
GEN-09-07, FP-09-05, CB-09-04
Summary: The posted DCL provides implementation guidance to FFEL lenders, guaranty agencies, and Perkins Loan school lenders related to the separate standard for determining whether certain veterans are totally and permanently disabled for purposes of Title IV loan discharge.
http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0907.html
Electronic Announcements
Date: May 8, 2009
Summary: Federal Student Aid posted a draft Fiscal Operation Report for 2008-2009 and Application to Participate for 2010-2011 (FISAP) in the Campus-Based Programs. Included is a draft instruction booklet.
http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/050809DraftFISAP1011.html
Date: May 8, 2009
Summary: FSA provided, in two separate attachments, additional operation guidance related to TEACH Grant entrance and exit counseling.
http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/050809TEACHGrantCounseling.html
Date: May 12, 2009
Summary: FSA began processing the Federal Pell Grant Initial Authorization for the 2009-2010 Award Year for schools that receive Pell Grant funds under the advanced funding method.
http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/051209FederalPellGrant0910AYAuth.html
Date: May 12, 2009
Summary: FSA posted instructions regarding the new ordering method to obtain paper copies of the 2009-2010 Federal Student Aid Handbook.
http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/051209NewOrderingMethodforPaperCopies.html
Date: May 21, 2009
Summary: The Announcement informed institutions participating in the Federal Perkins Loan Program that the FTC granted a second delay of enforcement of the new “Red Flags Rule” until August 1, 2009, to provide additional time to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs.
http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/052109UpdateFTCRedFlagsRule.html
Date: May 27, 2009
Summary: FSA posted a summary of FFEL borrower interest rates that will be effective beginning July 1, 2009.
http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/052709DirectLoanInterestRates.html
Federal Register
Date: May 01, 2009
FR: May 1, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 83, Pages 20210-20225)
Summary: This Federal Register contains interim final regulations for the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant) Programs. Comments regarding the rules are requested.
http://ifap.ed.gov/fregisters/FR050109TEACHGrant.html
FFEL Variable Interest Rates
Date: May 29, 2009
Summary: Federal Stafford, Federal PLUS, Federal SLS, and Federal Consolidation Loan interest rate calculations for the period July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010 were posted. The attached charts show the annually-determined variable interest rates applicable to the loan programs.
http://ifap.ed.gov/ffelvarrates/052909FFELVariableInterestRatesforperiodJuly09June10.html
Training and Conferences
Event: 2009 Federal Student Aid Conference
Dates: December 1-4, 2009
Location: Nashville, TN (Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center)
http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/052709FSAConference2009.html
Any questions related to this Bulletin should be directed to UHEAA Policy and Training at 801.321.7166, or by e-mail to mjohnson@utahsbr.edu. |
