May 2006
GEN-06-07
Subject: Notification and extension of guidance to assist Title IV participants affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
SUMMARY: This letter contains a summary and extension of prior guidance related to Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita, and the announcement of additional waivers provided under the authority granted to the Secretary.
Dear Colleague:
On December 30, 2005,
President Bush signed the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic
Influenza Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-148). The Higher Education Hurricane
Relief Act of 2005, contained within Pub. L. 109-148, authorizes the Secretary
to waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to
student financial assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act
of 1965, as amended (HEA) or any student or institutional eligibility
provision in the HEA, as the Secretary deems necessary in connection with
a Gulf hurricane disaster. These waivers and modifications are presented
in the enclosure attached to this Dear Colleague Letter.
Additionally, since
early September 2005, the Department has issued guidance to participants
in the Federal student financial aid programs addressing enforcement of
the statute and regulations governing those programs in light of the problems
caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This guidance is summarized within
this enclosure, and where appropriate, has been extended under the Secretary's
general authority.
If you have questions
about any of the information contained in this letter, please contact
the Federal Student Aid Research and Customer Care Center. The Center
staff is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 am
and 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) at 1-800-433-7327. After hours, calls are accepted
by an automated voice response system. Callers leaving their name and
phone number receive a return call the next business day. You may also
send an inquiry by facsimile to the Research and Customer Care Center
at 202-275-5532, or e-mail one to fsa.customer.support@ed.gov.
We appreciate your continued assistance and cooperation as we work to
assist those who have been affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Sincerely,
David L. Dunn
Acting Under Secretary
Attachments/Enclosures:
GEN-06-07:
Notification and extension of guidance to assist Title IV participants
affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the Attachment in PDF Format,
603KB, 10 pages
Hurricane
Waivers and Modifications to Federal Student Financial Aid Program Requirements
in Microsoft Word Format, 59KB, 8 pages
Posted May 3, 2006 on www.NASFAA.org, the Web Site of the
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
Please submit Web Site questions or comments to web@NASFAA.org
