IFAP - Information for Financial Aid Professionals

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The U.S. Department of Education does not endorse the nonfederal web sites in this listing, the sponsors of the sites, or any products presented on the sites or links.

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2002 Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education - The Department of Education and representatives of the higher education community are engaged in negotiated rulemaking to implement Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Information about the negotiated rulemaking process will be posted periodically on this page.

Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance - An independent committee created by Congress to advise on student aid policy.

"America Reads" and "America Counts" -- The Web site for America Reads has been archived, but it contains many suggestions and materials that may be helpful in developing high-quality literacy tutoring programs. While the contacts and offices mentioned on these pages are no longer active, the reports for educators and the activities for kids and parents include much information that is still useful. The Web site for America Counts has been discontinued. Note that schools may still use FWS funds to pay a student who is employed as a reading or mathematics tutor, or a student working with a family literacy project. For specific eligibility requirements, see Volume 6 of the Federal Student Aid Handbook, available at www.ifap.ed.gov

AmeriCorps - The domestic Peace Corps engages more than 50,000 Americans in intensive, results-driven service each year. They are teaching children to read, making neighborhoods safer, building affordable homes, and responding to natural disasters through more than 1000 projects. After their term of service, AmeriCorps members receive education awards to help finance college or pay back student loans.

Application for Approval to Participate - Application for Approval to Participate in Federal Student Financial Aid Programs

Associations for Student Financial Aid Administrators

National: COSUAA or NASFAA

Regional

State

Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly the INS) - Included among the immigration benefits the Bureau oversees are: citizenship, asylum, lawful permanent residency, employment authorization, refugee status, inter-country adoptions, replacement immigration documents, family and employment related immigration, and foreign student authorization. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) website allows for the tracking, monitoring, and access to current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa) and exchange visitors (J visa); enables schools and program sponsors to transmit electronic information and event notifications via the Internet to the INS and the Department of State throughout a student or exchange visitor’s stay in the United States; and allows printing of the appropriate forms and also provides reminders, alerts, and basic reporting capabilities.

Bulk Publication Ordering System - This site will allow you to place orders for bulk quantities of the publications like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the Student Guide, and our Spanish-language application, to order a technical publication such as the FSA Handbooks.

Budget News - Here you'll find the latest news on funding of the U.S. Department of Education programs, including congressional action on appropriations.

Campus-Based Website - This site contains the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP)in the three Campus-Based Programs - Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and Federal Work-Study (FWS). The eCampus-Based web site allows users to submit FISAP information, access Campus-Based account data, and view reports.

Campus Security - The Department of Education is committed to assisting schools in providing students nationwide a safe environment in which to learn and to keep student, parents and employees well informed about campus security. These goals were advanced by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990. The Department is committed to ensuring that postsecondary institutions are in full compliance with that Act, and enforcement of the Act is a priority of the Department. Campus Crime and Security at Postsecondary Education Institutions Survey

Cancellation/Deferment Options for Teachers - This site provides information about cancellation and deferment options for teachers who took out loans under the Perkins or Stafford Loan Programs. It also provides information about reduced service options if you received a scholarship under the Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship Program (formerly the Congressional Teacher Scholarship Program.)

Closed School Search - The closed school list includes only schools that at one time participated in the federal student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. A closed school that never participated in the programs administered by the Department will not be on this list.

Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) - The Common Origination and Disbursement Process is a streamlined method for processing Direct Loan, Pell, and Campus-Based data. The COD System integrates the origination and disbursement processes of the current RFMS and DLOS systems into one system, and also accepts student level data for the Campus-Based programs. For publications relating to the COD process, click here to link to IFAP. To visit the new COD website, click here.

Consolidation Loans - These programs simplify loan repayment by combining several types of Federal education loans (that may have different terms and repayment schedules or may have been made by different lenders) into one new loan. The interest rate may be lower than on one or more of the underlying loans. In addition, the monthly payment amount on a consolidation loan is usually lower and the amount of time to repay may be extended beyond what was available in the separate loan programs. These features should result in more manageable debt, and make borrowers less prone to default.

Default Management Website - The website provides the most recent official FFEL and Direct Loan cohort default rates for schools along with the functionality to download the three most recent official default rates for eligible schools, search the online cohort default rate database for specific schools, access the Cohort Default Rate Guide or browse statistics related to the rates. The website also provides other valuable information for schools including links to default prevention tools and tips, press releases, NSLDS links, FAQs and more. Data Managers and Students may also find helpful information on this website.

Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (electronic version) - This web site is for completing a Direct Loan Program electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN) for student loans, or for parent PLUS loans. If you do not want to complete the MPN electronically, you may complete it using the paper process. If you would like to complete a paper MPN, please contact the school's financial aid office

Direct Loan Servicing - The web site includes features such as a detailed borrower account history, an on-line repayment plan and payment due date change option, an interactive deferment and forbearance determination feature, and much more.

Direct Student Loans - The Direct Loan Program is one of the Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs provided by the Department of Education that provides students with a way to borrow money to pay for education after high school. Visit this website for more information.

Distance Education Demonstration Program - Certain provisions of the Higher Education Act (HEA) prohibit or limit the eligibility of institutions and/or students participating in Distance Education Programs to receive federal student financial assistance under Title IV of the Act. The 1998 amendments to the HEA authorize the Secretary to select up to 15 institutions and/or systems or consortia of institutions to participate in a Distance Education Demonstration Program designed to help determine the most effective way of delivering quality education via distance education, the specific student aid requirements which should be altered to provide greater access to distance education programs, and the appropriate level of federal assistance for students in distance education programs.

Electronic Master Promissory Note (electronic version) - This web site is for completing a Direct Loan Program electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN) for student loans, or for parent PLUS loans. If you do not want to complete the MPN electronically, you may complete it using the paper process. If you would like to complete a paper MPN, please contact the school's financial aid office

Experimental Sites Initiative - This is the Department's "field-test" for changes to Title IV statute and regulations. Schools may aply to the Initiative for exemptions to specific requirements governing student aid delivery in an attempt to improve student services and administrative procedures. As schools conduct these "experiments", the Initiative evaluates their success and provides the Department with suggestions on how financial aid policies could be streamlined and simplified.

eZAudit Website - A new web-based, single point of submission for financial statements and compliance audits to the Department of Education.

FAA Access on the Web - FAA Access on the Web allows FAAs to view your students' Student Aid Reports and check the status of your ISIR batches. You can also request year-to-date ISIR records, submit RAD requests, and duplicate renewal FAFSAs.

FAFSA and Corrections on the Web - The U.S. Department of Education's FAFSA on the Web Site: Students may initiate many actions at this site including: filing a FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA, making Corrections to a FAFSA record, checking Application Status, and requesting a Duplicate Student Aid Report using this online site.

Federal Perkins loan Cancellations for Teachers - Teachers with loans outstanding under the Federal Perkins Loan or National Direct Student Loan programs may have a portion of their loans cancelled for full-time teaching during the academic year, if they teach in any of the listed schools. These public and other nonprofit private elementary and secondary schools are located in school districts that qualify for funds under Chapter 1 of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (Chapter1), and have more than 30 percent of the academic year enrollment consisting of children eligible to be counted under Section 1005(c) of Chapter 1, in the formula for determination of the amount of the Chapter 1 grant.

Federal Stafford loan Cancellation for Teachers - Teachers with loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan programs and eligible portions of Consolidation loans, may have up to a total of $5,000 of their loans cancelled after five consecutive complete years of teaching in an eligible elementary or secondary school. This program has a specific "new borrower" definition and eligibility requirements but utilizes the same low-income school designation as the Federal Perkins Loan cancellation.

Federal (Title IV) School Codes - Students who wish to have their FAFSA information sent to schools (s)he might attend need to enter the Federal Title IV School Codes on the FAFSA. Locate the correct code on this page.

Federal Student Aid - This Web page will keep you abreast of the changes to our organization and our progress in reinventing these important programs. In addition the web site contains links to FAFSA on the Web, PEPS, Financial Aid for Students, Student.gov, FSA Ombudsman and much more.

FICE (Federal Interagency Commission on Education) codes - Higher Education Publication, Inc. are the publishers of the Higher Education Directory. The directory lists all public, private nonprofit, and some large publicly held corporations. Information about the directory and availability of FICE codes is available at this website.

Financial Partners Portal - This portal was designed in close cooperation with our many partners in the financial aid community and will be updated regularly with content which will benefit the community we serve. In this portal you are able to conduct business using one of our various system processes by linking to the Financial Management System (FMS), access the Financial Partners Data Mart, and the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). You can also search for a Lender or Guaranty Agency at this site.

FISAP on the Web - This site contains the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP)in the three Campus-Based Programs - Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and Federal Work-Study (FWS). The eCampus-Based web site allows users to submit FISAP information, access Campus-Based account data, and view reports.

FSA Coach (formerly SFA Coach) - The U.S. Department of Education's computer-based training modules developed for the institution's financial aid office personnel.

FSA Conference Web Site - Our mission in the U.S. Department of Education is to ensure equal access to education and to promote excellence for all Americans. Accordingly, Federal Student Aid (FSA) is pleased to sponsor several informative conferences for our partners. A schedule of upcoming conferences is available at this site.

FSA Customer Service Centers - Have a question about Federal Student Financial Aid or one of the FSA services the Department of Education provides? Contact one of our Customer Service Centers.

FSA Download (formerly SFA Download) - (Software and Documentation Download Site) U.S. Department of Education's Student Financial Assistance Student Aid Internet Gateway Online. FSA developed software and documentation may be downloaded from this site.

FSA for Counselors - This web site offers counselors information and suggestions for addressing the critical problem of students' misinformation and lack of information about postsecondary education options and financial aid. Locate and network with programs in your local area to offer or obtain college access and financial aid guidance.

FSA Technical Support (formerly SFA Tech) - An electronic listserve where financial aid professionals can ask and get answers to their technical questions about FSA's software or systems. Listserv subscribers will also automatically get 'hot' news flashes about processing and software issues.

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) GEAR UP is a new national initiative to encourage more young people to have high expectations, stay in school, study hard and take the right courses to go to college.

Grants Administration and Payment System (GAPS) - The Education Central Automated Processing System (EDCAPS) Grant Administration and Payment System (GAPS) was developed and implemented by the Department to streamline payment processing and reporting for our grantees/payees. GAPS provides on-line capabilities to request payments from the Department and continuous access to current grant and payment information.

Guaranty Agency/Lender Search Tool Find Guaranty Agencies, Lenders, Services, Trade Associations, State Grant Agencies, and FFEL Schools by using the search tools provided through FSA's Financial Partners Portal.

HHS/Bureau of Health Professions Website - The Health Resources and Services Administration's leadership in education and training, largely through its Bureau of Health Professions administration of Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act, strengthens and helps secure the nation's capability to excel in health care, meet ongoing and emerging community needs, and restrain continuing increases in health care expenditures.

Higher Education Act As Amended Through December 1998 - The HEA is made available to you through a link to the "Publications" web page of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce web site. The Department of Education is not responsible for the contents of the web site.

Information for Guaranty Agencies and Lenders - Federal Student Aid works in partnership with guaranty agencies and lenders to provide student loans through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. FSA uses a statutory formula to calculate the interest rates and special allowance benefits under the FFEL program, based on Treasury Bill rates. Guaranty agencies and lenders provide regular reports on their activities to FSA and receive benefit payments and reimbursements from FSA.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) - The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), established as the core postsecondary education data collection program for NCES, is a system of surveys designed to collect data from all primary providers of postsecondary education. IPEDS is a single, comprehensive system designed to encompass all institutions and educational organizations whose primary purpose is to provide postsecondary education.

Master Promissory Note (electronic version) - This web site is for completing a Direct Loan Program electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN) for student loans, or for parent PLUS loans. If you do not want to complete the MPN electronically, you may complete it using the paper process. If you would like to complete a paper MPN, please contact the school's financial aid office

National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) - The NACUBO web site contains information relevant to college and university chief administrative and financial officers.

National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) Website - Check NCES's "Fast Facts" on financial aid for Postsecondary Education. This tool provides quick answers to many questions.

Negotiated Rulemaking - The Department of Education and representatives of the higher education community are engaged in negotiated rulemaking to implement Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Information on the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act is available at: http://www.ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/reauthorization.html.

NSLDS for FAAs - The National Student Loan Data System's on-line resource, for financial aid professionals.

Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP) - The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP) offers registered nurses substantial assistance to repay educational loans in exchange for service in eligible facilities located in areas experiencing a shortage of nurses. Authorized by Section 846 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, the purpose of the NELRP is to assist in the recruitment and retention of professional nurses dedicated to providing health care to underserved populations.

OIG Non-Federal Audit Team Home Page - You can access documents developed by various Government and Industry sources to assist in the conduct and understanding of Single Audits and Audits of Federal Student Aid (FSA Audits). Most of the documents are hyperlinked to other Web Pages where the actual documents reside.

Ombudsman Website - The FSA Ombudsman is working with student loan borrowers to informally resolve loan disputes and problems. We help borrowers having problems with the following federal loans: Direct Loans:Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Student Loans, Direct PLUS Loans (for parents), and Direct Consolidation Loans; Federal Family Education Loans:Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, FFEL PLUS Loans (for parents), and FFEL Consolidation Loans; Guaranteed Student Loans, SLS Loans, and Perkins Loans. The Ombudsman Customer Service Line is 1-877-557-2575.

Ordering Publications & Address Changes - This site will allow you to place orders for bulk quantities of the publications like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the Student Guide, and our Spanish-language application, to order a technical publication such as the FSA Handbooks.

Pell-Grants On-Line - This This web page has been combined with the Common Origination and Disbursement web page. As of August 22, 2003 Pell Grant Award Year data for 1999-2000 through the present will be available on https://cod.ed.gov/cod/LoginPage.

PEPS - (U.S. Department of Education's Postsecondary Education Participants System Information Gateway) - PEPS maintains eligibility, certification, demographic, financial, review, audit and default rate data on all Schools, Lenders and Guarantors participating in the Title IV programs.

PIN Registration - The site is designed to provide information about the FSA PIN which includes "what the PIN is"; "where you can use it" and "PIN Frequently Asked Questions."

Quality Assurance Program - For more then 15 years, QA schools have shared "results from the lab" and helped develop Tools for Schools, including new online self-assessments to enhance the management of student aid delivery. QA Member Schools that apply and are accepted for QA membership are granted regulatory relief from activities usually required to verify student aid applicant information. In return, schools share their effective practices for the benefit of the entire Title IV community. Visit this site for more information.

Return of Title IV Funds (web version)- We are pleased to announce the availability of the Web version of Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4). Return of Title IV Funds is a non-year-specific application developed to calculate the earned and unearned portion of Title IV program assistance in accordance with Section 484B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. You can choose to use either the Web or the PC application. You are not required to use either of these applications if you prefer to use another method for calculating Title IV funds to be returned.

Scholarship Fraud - Scholarship fraud has become common enough that, in 2000, the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act was passed. Find out more about the Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice, and the Department of Education's efforts to combat scholarship fraud.

Selective Service System - Selective Service would provide manpower to the military by conducting a draft using a list of young men's names gathered through the Selective Service registration process.

SFA Download (now FSA Download) - (Software and Documentation Download Site) U.S. Department of Education's Student Financial Assistance Student Aid Internet Gateway Online. FSA developed software and documentation may be downloaded from this site.

SFA Technical Support (now FSA Tech) - an electronic listserve where financial aid professionals can ask and get answers to their technical questions about FSA's software or systems. Listserv subscribers will also automatically get 'hot' news flashes about processing and software issues.

Social Security Administration - As the most successful domestic program in our nation's history, Social Security is fundamental to economic security, and thus contributes to the basic well-being, health and quality of life of the American people. Visit the Social Security Administration website for more information.

State Higher Education Agencies - Visit this site for contact information for State Higher Education Agencies. These agencies provide information on the state's education programs, colleges and universities, financial aid assistance programs, grants, scholarships, continuing education programs, and career opportunities.

Student Aid Internet Gateway On-line - You may use these online forms to complete and submit applications to join the Student Aid Internet Gateway over the Internet. You may also use this site to download SAIG software for services for which you previously registered.

Student Aid on the Web - The information provided here is designed to assist in college planning. It provides access to and information about the products and services that students will need throughout the financial aid process. Help is available to make education beyond high school financially possible for all.

Studentjobs.gov - This Web site is designed to be a student's one stop for information needed to find a job in the Federal Government. Whether the student is in high school, college, or graduate school, there are a variety of special opportunities for students in the Federal government. Studentjobs.gov gives access to OPM's USAJOBS database of thousands of opportunities, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Students.gov Website - Students.gov is a cooperative effort of many federal agencies working together, under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Education. Students.gov is a student gateway to information and services from the United States government. Students.gov brings together all kinds of information and services that students and their families have told us they need.

Title IV School Codes - To send application information to schools that the student might attend, students must enter the Federal School Codes for those schools on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When filling out the paper form, use this search page to find the Federal School Codes for your schools.

Training for Financial Aid Professionals (TFAP) Website (formerly FSA University) - Every year, FSA offers a variety of free training workshops for financial aid professionals. All FSA training is free; however, you will need to arrange and pay for your own transportation, meals, and lodging. USA Jobs - This website is maintained by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). From this link you can search for all Federal job vacancies. To search specifically for job vacancies within SFA, select "Agency Job Search" on this page. Then scroll down to the Department of Education listings. Please note that the listings are NOT in alphabetical order. The Department of Education can be found after the Department of Labor listings. Select "EDUCATION, Ofc Student Financial Assistance Prog", and you will be presented with all current job vacancies in SFA.

US Department of Education Directories - Access this page for the Department of Education's electronic phone book, the Education Resource Organizations Directory (EROD), The Guide to ED Programs and much more!

US Department of Education home page - The Department of Education's web site is designed to help pursue the President's initiatives, including "No Child Left Behind," and advance ED’s mission as a Department-to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence for all Americans.

US Department of Education Press Releases - Visit this site for access to the Department's press releases, news bulletins, media advisories and official statements, including press releases in Spanish.

U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce - The web site hosts the committee's schedule, information of its members, hot topics, press statements, status of legislation, hearings, publications and more. The Department of Education is not responsible for the contents of the web site.

U.S. Senate Committee on Heath, Education, Labor and Pensions - The web site hosts the Committee's schedule; the list of legislation the Committee is working on; hearing testimony and more. The Department of Education is not responsible for the contents of the web site.

Videoconferences by FSA - Visit this site to register for a videoconference, to participate in a webcast, to order a video tape of a videoconference and/or to access archived copies of FSA Videoconferences.

Veteran's Affairs; Department of - The Department of Veteran's Affairs' mission is: To serve America's veterans and their families with dignity and compassion and be their principal advocate in ensuring that they receive medical care, benefits, social support, and lasting memorials promoting the health, welfare, and dignity of all veterans in recognition of their service to this Nation.