Natural Disaster Guidance and Regulatory Relief
"South Carolina is grappling with historic flooding that has led to several deaths, shut down interstates and sent search crews scrambling to rescue those trapped by rising waters," CNN reports.
According to the National Weather Service, Berkeley County in South Carolina, which has accumulated more than 18 inches of rainfall in just 24 hours, may see "catastrophic flash flooding" into Monday.
NASFAA would like to remind schools in the affected areas about existing guidance regarding the impact of a "major disaster" on the administration of the Title IV student assistance programs. Dear Colleague Letter GEN-10-16 is intended to help Title IV student financial aid participants affected by a federally declared major disaster. Institutions with any questions or concerns can contact the Research and Customer Care Center at 1-800-433-7327 or use this form to provide the Department of Education with the requested information.
Unless stated otherwise, the regulatory relief described in the Dear Colleague Letter applies to all recipients of Title IV aid and their families who at the time of a disaster were residing in, employed in, or attending an institution located in a federally-declared disaster area in the United States.
For affected institutions, guidance states that a Title IV program participant that does not carry out an otherwise required action in administering program aid must document that fact and indicate which alternative procedures, if any, were used. If an emergency prevents an institution from routine operations, that institution should contact Federal Student Aid at 1 (800) 433-7327 or by e-mail at [email protected].
In addition, the Department’s National Disaster Information page on the Information for Financial Aid Professionals website provides further information including resources for students, parents and borrowers.
In the event that the President declares a disaster, ED provides general guidance for regulatory relief to students, institutions, lenders, guaranty agencies, and their servicers in administering the federal student financial aid programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).
Most importantly, to those affected, NASFAA staff and Board of Directors send you our thoughts and prayers for your safety and well-being. NASFAA staff will be available by phone and email to answer any questions or provide guidance to those dealing with Title IV administration in a natural disaster zone.
Publication Date: 10/5/2015
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