U.S. Department of Education
November 14, 2019 – The Department proposed an extension of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program Repayment Plan Selection Form information collection system. The Repayment Plan Request form serves as the means by which Direct Loan borrowers notify the Department of their choice of an initial repayment plan under the Standard, Extended or Graduated options before their loans enter repayment. The form may also be used by borrowers to request a change in the Standard, Extended or Graduated repayment plans options after their loans have entered repayment. If a borrower does not select an initial repayment plan, the borrower is placed on the Standard Repayment Plan in accordance with 34 CFR 685.210(a)(2).
November 19, 2019 – The Department published a notice in the Federal Register submitting the Lender's Interest and Special Allowance Request & Report, ED Form 799 for approval. The information collected on the ED Form 799 is needed to pay interest and special allowance to holders of Federal Family Education Loans, for internal financial reporting, budgetary projections, and for audit and lender reviews by the Department, Servicers, External Auditors and General Accounting Office (GAO).
The Department published a notice in the Federal Register requesting an extension to the current information collection system pertaining to the recordkeeping requirements contained in the regulations related to the administration of the Subpart K—Cash Management section of the Student Assistance General Provisions. These program regulations are designed to provide benefits to Title IV, HEA applicants, and protect the taxpayers' interest. The information collection requirements in these regulations are necessary to provide students with required information about their eligibility to receive funding under the federal student financial aid programs and to prevent fraud and abuse of program funds by allowing students to reduce or reject aid being offered as well as being made aware of when such funding can be expected to be available.
December 2, 2019 – The Federal Student Aid’s New Financial Aid Administrators Pre-Conference Training will take place on December 2, 2019 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
December 13, 2019 – Deadline for every organization enrolled for a Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG) account to review and validate its assigned TG numbers and Electronic Services user accounts.
Looking Ahead – 2019 FSA Training Conference. The Federal Student Aid Office has opened registration for the 2019 FSA Training Conference scheduled for December 3 to 6 in Reno, Nevada. The FSA Training Conference is training provided for financial aid professionals by the government for those institutions receiving Title IV funds and is the largest training program in the United States serving the financial aid community. In 2018 more than 2,000 unique schools registered for the conference. Registration is free.
U.S. Congress
AACS #IncludeBeauty Campaign Launch: On November 19, 2019, AACS announced the launch of the #IncludeBeauty grassroots campaign to reach every Member of the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose the College Affordability Act. A “Call to Action” has been distributed to AACS Members via an eblast with specific instructions on how to contact their local representative. Tomorrow, join the webinar to review the Call to Action and ask your questions about the campaign. A link to the webinar will be shared in tomorrow's eblast from AACS.
We are asking that all AACS Members take the time to engage in this campaign by communicating with their House Member and getting students and employers involved!
Newly Introduced Legislation of Note
H.R. 5148- To improve program integrity through State evaluation of institutions of higher education, requirements for student complaint submissions, and the establishment of policies and procedures to address closure of institutions of higher education, and for other purposes.
a. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor, 11/18/19
b. Sponsor: Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) 2 Cosponsors
H.R. 5098- To amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to transitional services for separating members of the Armed Forces and educational assistance under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
a. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 11/14/19
b. Sponsor: Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) 2 Cosponsors
S. 2868- A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans may attend pre-apprenticeship programs using certain educational assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
a. Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 11/14/19
b. Sponsor: Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) 0 Cosponsors
S. 2857- A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to count military and veterans education benefits as Federal educational assistance, and for other purposes.
a. Status: Referred to the Senate HELP Committee, 11/14/19
b. Sponsor: Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE) 3 Cosponsors