[Oasfaa] NPRM, DCL, TEACH, Counseling,Mini-terms

[David Barron]

Here is some good info sent out by a Fed trainer from another Region.

Enjoy :)

Thanks and have a great day,

David Barron
OASFAA President 2010-2011
Director of Financial Aid
Rogers State University
1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
Claremore, OK 74107-3252
918.343.7852
Fax: 918.343.7598




----- Original Message -----
From: sasfaal-bounces at sasfaa.org <sasfaal-bounces at sasfaa.org>
To: sasfaal at sasfaa.org <sasfaal at sasfaa.org>
Sent: Wed Jun 30 06:58:47 2010
Subject: [sasfaaL] Bartnicki Bulletin - NPRM, DCL, TEACH,
Counseling,Mini-terms

Subject:  Bartnicki Bulletin - NPRM, DCL, TEACH, Counseling, Mini-terms 
List:  sasfaaL 
Date:  June 30, 2010 
From:  David Bartnicki 
       david.bartnicki at ed.gov 

-------------------------

Dear SASFAA,

After several weeks of conferences, vacation and training overseas I am
back in the saddle chomping at the bit to discuss TIV aid.  And though I
had a great time with your foreign colleagues in Australia and New
Zealand, there is no place like home (the questions, concerns, issues,
problems, etc.).  Since I have been away there are a few pieces of
information I would like to share.

1. 6/18/2010 NPRM Federal Register

This is the one we have been waiting for.  Though not final, it contains
a lot of information that will most likely be implemented in some way,
shape, or form.  Some of the main topics include:  high school diploma
determinations, ATB testing, misrepresentation concerns, removing the
safe harbors from incentive compensation, credit hour definition,
clock-to-credit hour conversion standards, verification changes, SAP
modifications, R2T4 and withdrawal dates (including mini-terms), and
R2T4 and schools required to take attendance.  I encourage all of you to
read through the NPRM (or at least those areas of interest) and if
compelled, to send in comments by August 2, 2010.  We want your comments
and insight to ensure the best possible regulations to maintain the
integrity of our programs.  You can find the register on IFAP under
Federal Registers in the lower right-hand side.

2. Dear Colleague Letter - Gen-08-10 (Institutional requirements to
combat unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials)

A lot of schools have been asking for more assistance in this area. The
guidance in the DCL includes plans, legal alternatives, consumer
information and possible penalties.  This is a great resource to ensure
that your plan contains all the required elements.

3. Mini-terms (especially summer)

Just a reminder that when dealing with mini-terms within a semester or
quarter that the school has two choices: either consider the mini-terms
as part of the larger term and treat all mini-terms as one term
(continues to allow the school to use Pell formula 1) OR look at each
mini-term as an independent stand-alone term by themselves (terms become
non-standard and school required to use Pell formula 3).  I mention this
because some schools have been trying to mix both approaches by
continuing to use formula 1 while treating each mini-term as a
stand-alone term.  Please be careful.

4. Direct Loan Entrance Counseling 

Please note that if a student completes the Department's Direct Loan
entrance counseling on studentloans.gov, all the entrance counseling
requirements have been met and the school is not required to provide
additional counseling (unless by choice).

5. TEACH

There is no limit on the number of years ago that a student was above
the 75th percentile (during the period when the student took the test)
with regards to taking an acceptable nationally-normed standardized
admissions test for eligibility purposes.  A school cannot establish a
year requirement with regards to how long ago a student took the
standardized test.

6. 2010-2011 FSA Handbook

For those that might not have noticed, the Application and Verification
section for 10/11 has been posted to IFAP.  The Introduction Chapter
helps highlight various changes throughout this section.  

REMINDER:  I encourage all State association leaders to ensure that this
information is passed on to your State association listserves. 

That's it for now but I am sure there are many items to come.

Have a happy, safe 4th of July,

David Bartnicki
Federal Training Officer 
ED/FSA/Atlanta
 



  
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