Campus Partners Update Newsletter
January 1, 2009
Holiday Closing: Christmas, Dec. 24-25; New Year's Eve-Closing at 12:00; New Year's Day, Jan. 1; Martin Luther King Jr Birthday, January 19; President's Day, February 16
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Inside Campus Partners Kaylin Murphy
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COHEAO Teleconference Concerning Changes to HEOA
Campus Partners attended the COHEAO teleconference, Learning to Live with the Higher Education Opportunity Act: What it Means for Your Institution on December 9. Gail McLarnon and Brian Smith from the Department of Education presented a summary of the information contained in HEOA and reported on how ED will implement the new law. Maria Livolsi, Director of the State University of NY Student Loan Service Center, also provided insight to the changes from a school’s perspective.
Campus Partners included a summary of the changes to HEOA in our September 2008 Update newsletter. However, additional items were revealed during the teleconference that affect the Federal Perkins program. We have listed these below:
- Section 428L was amended to authorize a Loan Repayment Program on all Title IV loans for Civil Legal Assistance Attorneys. ED will administer the program by making direct payments to loan holders. Repayments made by ED cannot exceed $6,000. As with appropriations for the Federal Perkins program, “authorized” does not mean appropriated. These loan repayments are subject to appropriations. Campus Partners will keep you updated on this program as additional information is provided by ED.
- Section 485(b)(1)(A) has been amended and schools with Perkins loans are now required to provide borrowers with information on the effects of using a Consolidation Loan to pay off a Perkins Loan, including “the effects of the consolidation on a borrower’s underlying loan benefits, including grace periods, loan forgiveness, cancellation and deferment opportunities”. The amendment doesn’t specifically require schools to identify occupations that may be eligible for cancellation, but the school is required to inform Perkins borrowers of the cancellation and other benefits the borrower would lose if he or she consolidates the Perkins loan.
- Section 464(c)(1)(F) has been amended to require the Secretary to cancel a Perkins Loan if the borrower is:
- Permanently and totally disabled. This procedure is the one we currently have in place. After receiving a properly completed Loan Discharge Application from the borrower, the school must assign the loan to ED for a conditional discharge.
- Unable to engage in substantial gainful activity because of a physical or mental impairment that is expected to result in death, has lasted continuously for not less than 60 months, or can be expected to last continuously for not less than 60 months. According to Smith, this benefit must go through the negotiated rulemaking process prior to implementation.
- Determined by the VA to be unemployable due to a service-connected disability. ED is currently working on procedures for this new disability and should be included on the revised form by February 2009.
- Section 464(c) (1) (F) has been amended to allow the Secretary to develop regulations to safeguard against fraud and abuse in total and permanent disability (TPD) discharges. It will also allow ED to resume collection of loans previously discharged for TPD if the borrower receives a new Title IV loan or earns income in excess of the poverty line. According to Smith, this new regulation will have to go through negotiated rulemaking prior to implementation.
- ED reiterated that although Section 464(e) was amended to remove the requirement that a forbearance request be in writing, supporting documentation is still required.
- ED also recapped the assignment procedures. As you know, mandatory assignment is only required if the school “knowingly failed to maintain acceptable collection records on defaulted loans.” Section 463(a)(4)(B) was amended and states that the Secretary may allow schools to refer Perkins loans to ED for collection and that the amounts collected must be returned to the school that assigned them every six months, minus a 30% collection cost. Smith indicated to the group that ED has no plans to institute a referral program in the Perkins Loan program at this time.
Livolsi shared some of the steps she is taking to implement the changes to the HEOA at SUNY. These steps include updating documentation such as rehabilitation letters and agreement, the annual disclosure, the borrower’s Web site, cancellation forms, and entrance and exit processes just to name a few.
SUNY takes a different approach from Campus Partners in the design of their cancellation form. They are currently using six different forms that borrowers may complete when filing for cancellation benefits. Therefore, they have grouped the new cancellation benefits in categories depending on the type of cancellation that the borrower is applying for. Campus Partners has one cancellation form that we use for all cancellation categories. We are looking at our current form to determine the best approach for your borrowers that could be implemented with the least confusion.
Medical Technician Loan Cancellation Benefit for Perkins Loans
In last month’s Regulatory Wisdom, we provided you with guidance from ED indicating that the AMA web site should no longer be used in determining eligibility for medical technician cancellations. The reason for this change was because the AMA had expanded the scope of its list to include professions that do not qualify as allied health professions (e.g., dentist, physician, physiologist, podiatrist, etc.) We also provided you with two new web sites ED recommended that you use to assist you in determining eligibility. The first is the allied health page of the ExploreHealthCareers.org Web site which is available at http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/Field.1.aspx.
Another useful resource is the Web site for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which is available at http://www.caahep.org.
ED has now published Dear Colleague Letter CB-08-14 which includes the information above. You may read this DCL in its entirety at http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/CB0814.html.
IFAP Has a New Look!
The Department of Education announced the successful implementation of the reorganized and redesigned Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) Web site on November 23. The Electronic Announcement published November 19 provides an overview of the site’s key features to help orient users to the site. The Department encourages all users to read the high-level overview. If you had the IFAP Web site bookmarked previously, you will need to save this Web site again to your computer (ifap.ed.gov). To view this electronic announcement, go to http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/111908IFAPRedesignOverview.html.
Updated Listing of TEACH Grant Eligible Institutions
This electronic announcement provides an updated listing of institutions that have been approved as “TEACH Grant Eligible Institutions” for the 2008-09 award year. ED will continue to update the listing as more institutions are approved. You may view this electronic announcement and listing of schools at http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/120808TEACHGrant.html.
Campus Partners to Add New Cancellation Codes
The HEOA added six new cancellation categories available to all borrowers, regardless of note date, for service performed on or after 8/14/08. These new cancellation categories include:
- Full-time staff members in a prekindergarten or child care program that is licensed or regulated by the state;
- Full-time public defenders;
- Full-time faculty members at a tribally controlled university;
- Librarians with a master’s degree in library science who are employed in a school served under Title I of the ESEA, or a public library serving a Title I school;
- Full-time speech language pathologists with a master’s degree working exclusively in Title I schools; and
- Full-time firefighters.
ED indicated during the COHEAO teleconference that the FISAP will have to be changed for the period ending June 30, 2009 to include the new cancellation categories. Since it is not known at this time which new categories will be added to the FISAP, Campus Partners has decided to create new cancellation codes for most all of the new benefits.
A wish to you from Sharon Cameron: Wishing you and your families the very best during the Holiday Season~! |
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Changes to Products and Web Sites Due to HEOA
Campus Partners has completed changes to both iPROMise, our online entrance interview, and E-Exit, our online exit interview, to include the changes made to the Federal Perkins program due to the Higher Education Opportunity Act. These changes include changes to loan maximums, rehabilitation, and the new cancellation benefits.
Our Web sites require more extensive programming; however, we are currently working on the information for campuspartners.com and for your borrowers at mycampusloan.com to ensure you and your borrowers have access to the latest information.
Rehabilitation QuikLetters and Submittal Form Updated
As communicated in previous editions of the Campus Partners Update, the implementation of HEOA changed the number of on-time consecutive monthly payments borrowers must make before their loan is considered rehabilitated. Effective 8/14/08 (the date of enactment), borrowers only need to make 9 payments instead of 12 payments for rehabilitation to be completed.We have updated the QuikLetters that are available for you to use in conjunction with rehabilitation of loans to reflect “9 consecutive on-time monthly payments” instead of 12. There are several QuikLetters that are available to communicate with your borrowers. Customers with access to System III can send these letters directly to borrowers using the AUDT screen. A list and text of rehabilitation QuikLetters is attached.
Attachment:Rehabilitation QuikLetters
We have also updated the Rehabilitation Submittal Form to reflect 9 consecutive payments instead of 12. To download, go to http://www.campuspartners.com/documents/P0623.pdf
Imaged Documents on Demand
Imaged borrower documents are now easily downloaded from System 3i. Documents imaged within the last 30 days are immediately available, while documents dating from January 1, 2008 can be restored in a few seconds more. To help you get started using this convenient product, we have included “How to Retrieve and Restore Imaged Documents” in this month’s Update.
Your Customer Service Representative is always available to help if you have any problems accessing your documents.
Enhancement to Status Summary Report
Campus Partners has made an enhancement to the Delinquent Charges Detail section of the Status Summary Report. Beginning with the December 31, 2008 report, we have removed any delinquent charges due on loans in an 82 (Assigned) or 93 (Accepted) status from this detail. Another section of this report provides you with the Interest Receivable Detail, excluding loans in an 82 or 93 status. The change made to the Delinquent Charges Detail makes it more consistent with the Interest Receivables Detail.
If you need to determine the amount of delinquent charges for 82 and 93 status loans, we will continue to include these amounts in the Delq Chg (Delinquent Charge) column field (see heading at the top of the report) for each of the applicable status codes
Customer Satisfaction Survey to Begin Soon
We will begin conducting our annual Customer Satisfaction Survey soon to help us evaluate how well we are currently meeting your needs and how we can improve our services in the future. The survey takes less than ten minutes to complete, and your participation will be greatly appreciated.
A link to our Customer Satisfaction Survey is scheduled to be emailed to our customers next month. Your identity is completely protected, unless you provide contact information.
After receiving the survey link, please feel free to forward the survey to other student loan administrators in your office. Look for survey results in future editions of the Update.
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From Tracy at Nazareth - “I can’t thank you and your team enough for your assistance. I am grateful.”
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Student Loans 101 and 202 Schedule for 2009-Please Note Changed Dates and Times In Red
We are pleased to announce our 2009 Student Loan Workshop schedule, which is published below. This year we are offering two sessions of Student Loans 101 and one session of Student Loans 202. Student Loans 101 is perfect for new student loan administrators or administrators who are new to Campus Partners, while Student Loans 202 also offers a unique opportunity for advanced training. Our modernized training facility offers 20 computer workstations so you can get the most out of our personalized hands-on training.
Student Loans 101: March 5-6
Student Loans 202: April 2-3
Student Loans 101: July 9-10
Time: Day One 8:30 AM- 4:00 PM Day Two 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
To register, fax a completed registration form to Debra Pitts at 336-607-2025.
Attachment:Student Loan 101 and 202 Flyer and Registration Form for 2009
To register, fax a completed registration form to Debra Pitts at 336-607-2025.
Sign up for Web Conferences !
Our Web Conference for 2009 schedule appears below. These webinars allow you to see the actual presentation and interact with our staff and other student loan administrators without leaving the office! The training is great and there is no charge--not even long distance charges--for the training.
To register for one or more training events, please contact Debra Pitts at dpitts@campuspartners.com.
2009 Web Conference Schedule
| Topic | Date |
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Retention of Records: What's Required? |
Thursday, February 12 2:00 to 3:30 Eastern |
The Borrower Experience |
Thursday, May 14 2:00 to 3:30 Eastern |
FISCOP Reporting |
Thursday, June 11 2:00 to 3:30 Eastern |
Cohort: What is it and How Do I Manage it? |
Thursday, August 13 2:00 to 3:30 Eastern |
Where do I start? A Month to Month Guide |
Thursday, September 10 2:00 to 3:30 Eastern |
Open |
Thursday, October 8 2:00 to 3:30 Eastern |
Regulations Update |
Thursday, November 12 2:00 to 3:30 Eastern |
| Tips for Managing Delinquencies |
Thursday, December 10 2:00 to 3:30 Eastern |
Campus Partners staff will attend the following conferences during the first six months of 2009.
COHEAO will present its Annual Conference on January 24-28 in Arlington, VA. For more information, visit www.coheao.org.
NACUBO will hold its 2009 Student Financial Services Conference on March 8-10 in Savannah, GA. For more information, visit http://www.nacubo.org/x10614.xml.
EARMA will hold its Annual Meeting this spring. More details will be available later.
PDG will present its National Conference for University Bursars, Cashiers, and Treasury Managers on April 19-22 in Austin, TX. More details are available at www.prodev.com.
CAASLAR will hold its Annual Meeting April 23-24 at the Lake Shore Lodge in Estes Park, CO. Please visit www.caaslar.org for more information.
KASRO will present its Spring Meeting at Barren River State Resort Park. More details are available at www.kasro.net.
Cutoff dates for December, January, February, and March are presented below:
Transaction
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Dec. 2008 |
Jan. 2009 |
Feb. 2009 |
Mar. 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Last day to receive collection payments |
12/26 |
1/27 |
2/24 |
3/24 |
Last day to receive regular payments |
12/29 |
1/28 |
2/25 |
3/25 |
Last day for online payments |
1/2 |
1/30 |
2/27 |
3/27 |
Date final post begins |
1/2 |
1/30 |
2/27 |
3/27 |
Report date used for final post |
12/31 |
1/31 |
2/28 |
3/31 |
Last day deposits created for deposit to bank account |
12/31 |
1/30 |
2/27 |
3/27 |
2009 Cutoff Dates
Month |
Last day to receive collection payments |
Last day to receive regular payments |
Last day for on-line payments |
Date final post begins |
Report date used for final post |
Last day deposits created for deposit to bank account |
December 2008 |
12/26/2008 |
12/29/2008 |
1/2/2009 |
1/2/2009 |
12/31/2008 |
12/31/2008 |
January 2009 |
01/27/2009 |
01/28/2009 |
01/30/2009 |
01/30/2009 |
01/31/2009 |
01/30/2009 |
February 2009 |
02/24/2009 |
02/25/2009 |
02/27/2009 |
02/27/2009 |
02/28/2009 |
02/27/2009 |
March 2009 |
03/24/2009 |
03/25/2009 |
03/27/2009 |
03/27/2009 |
03/31/2009 |
03/27/2009 |
April 2009 |
04/27/2009 |
04/28/2009 |
05/01/2009 |
05/01/2009 |
04/30/2009 |
04/30/2009 |
May 2009 |
05/26/2009 |
05/27/2009 |
05/29/2009 |
05/29/2009 |
05/31/2009 |
05/29/2009 |
June 2009 |
06/23/2009 |
06/24/2009 |
06/26/2009 |
06/26/2009 |
06/30/2009 |
06/26/2009 |
July 2009 |
07/28/2009 |
07/29/2009 |
07/31/2009 |
07/31/2009 |
07/31/2009 |
07/31/2009 |
August 2009 |
08/25/2009 |
08/26/2009 |
08/28/2009 |
08/28/2009 |
08/31/2009 |
08/28/2009 |
September 2009 |
09/25/2009 |
09/28/2009 |
10/2/2009 |
10/2/2009 |
09/30/2009 |
09/30/2009 |
October 2009 |
10/27/2009 |
10/28/2009 |
10/30/2009 |
10/30/2009 |
10/31/2009 |
10/30/2009 |
November 2009 |
11/20/2009 |
11/23/2009 |
11/25/2009 |
11/27/2009 |
11/30/2009 |
11/25/2009 |
December 2009 |
12/28/2009 |
12/29/2009 |
12/31/2009 |
12/31/2009 |
12/31/2009 |
12/31/2009 |
January 2010 |
01/26/2010 |
01/27/2010 |
01/29/2009 |
01/29/2009 |
01/31/2009 |
01/29/2009 |
