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today’s news for Tuesday, January 19, 2021

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CampusLogic. Higher ed economist Carlo Salerno, PhD, hosts Mastermind Sessions to discuss higher ed's most complex questions. No slide shows, no boring script. Just real data and solutions. Join us on March 4 to uncover why some schools operate like fitness clubs while others operate like factories, and if there are benefits to either. Register today.

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NEWS FROM NASFAA

Federal Student Aid (FSA) last week published the final version of its long-term strategic plan and made several changes from its previous draft, including some revisions reflecting comments and suggestions NASFAA submitted. The strategic plan charts the course for FSA through 2024 and beyond, outlining many changes and improvements to its existing offerings as well as several new targets, thresholds, and objectives. 

NASFAA UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

AskRegs

Yes. According to guidance NASFAA has received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), currently there is no deadline for processing such late requests. After Dec. 31, 2020, if the student provides adequate documentation to the school explaining and confirming that his or her 2019-20 award year withdrawal was due to COVID-19, then the school can still apply the R2T4 waiver and set the Coronavirus Indicator on eligible disbursements in the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System. View the full answer to this question to learn more and search for answers to your other pressing regulatory and compliance questions in NASFAA's AskRegs Knowledgebase.

Leadership Symposium Logo

Just two weeks remain until the start of NASFAA's 2021 Leadership Symposium — and there are a limited number of spaces left. If you are a financial aid administrator who wants to grow professionally, expand your network, and become a leader on campus, in your association, or in your profession, this learning opportunity is designed for you. Review the session descriptions for the Leadership Strategies and Realities and Association Leadership pathways, explore the list of scheduled speakers, and register today to save your spot.

Webinar Logo

We hear much about devoting proper attention to our physical health during times of stress, but what about attending to our mental health during especially busy times? Join Dr. Philip Hawkins, director of financial aid at The George Washington University Law School, at 2:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 24, when he will discuss how life got suddenly interrupted by a major depression from too many competing life demands and how he has transformed through lessons of recovery that guide him on a new and improved life journey. Register now.

With new federal dollars flowing to higher education institutions, it's important to focus on how to distribute and scale emergency aid for students who continue to suffer from the pandemic. Join The Hope Center for a special webinar today, January 19, at 1:00 p.m. ET, focusing on how to prepare, including lessons from community college leaders around the country and evidence from The Hope Center's latest research.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

As part of your institution’s compliance with the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grant program, as authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), institutions are required to submit the names and email addresses of those individuals on campus, referred to as a Submitter and an Editor, tasked with the submission of their HEERF Annual Report through our Annual Report Data Collection System. 

As part of your institution’s compliance with the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grant program, as authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), your institution is required to publicly report certain HEERF grant expenditures on your institution’s primary website. The purpose of this announcement is to reiterate these obligations and describe enforcement steps, should your school be in non-compliance.

This document applies to postsecondary institutions, financial aid administrators, and students participating in the Federal Student Aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the HEA). This guidance document is an extension to the Question and Answer attachment in Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) GEN 16-09: Changes to Title IV Eligibility for Students Without a Valid High School Diploma Who Are Enrolled In Eligible Career Pathway Programs.

On December 11, the Department of Education (ED) published a notice in the Federal Register updating waivers and modifications of statutory and regulatory provisions under the authority of the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 (HEROES Act). Those waivers and modifications specific to the Federal Register notice and not previously announced are described below.

This announcement informs Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) Program lenders and lender servicers of new HEAL Program interest rates. The maximum HEAL Program interest rates for the quarter ending March 31, 2021 are now available in the “Current Maximum Interest Rates” section of the HEAL Interest Rates page of the HEAL Information area on the IFAP website. 

x - FEDERAL REGISTER

On December 11, 2020, the Department of Education (ED) published in the Federal Register a notice updating waivers and modifications of statutory and regulatory provisions governing the Federal student financial aid programs under the authority of the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 (HEROES Act). This document corrects the date through which certain waivers and modifications extend.

On August 31, 2020, the Department of Education (ED) published in the Federal Register a notice announcing the guidance documents ED is rescinding because they are outdated, after conducting a review of its guidance under Executive Order (E.O.) 13891 (85 FR 54148). This notice makes corrections to the included list of documents for the Office of Postsecondary Education.

x - NOTABLE HEADLINES

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