The Department of Education has posted draft agenda's for the upcoming negotiated rulemaking sessions which will focus on the ACG and National SMART Grant programs and general HEA provisions. Negotiated rulemaking on ACG and SMART is scheduled for Feb. 5 to 7 and general provisions are scheduled to be negotiated on Feb. 7 to 9.
Draft Agenda: 2006-07 Negotiated Rulemaking for ACG/National SMART Grants
Rigorous secondary school programs
Mandatory institutional participation in ACG and National SMART Grants
Eligibility of certificate programs for ACG
Requirement that Pell Grants and ACG or National SMART Grants be disbursed at the same institution when awarded within the same term
Grade point average:
Transfer students
Coursework
Timing of calculation
Eligibility for disbursement
Academic year progression
Draft Agenda: 2006-07 Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education General Provisions
Consistent enrollment status definitions for all Title IV programs (full-time, half-time, etc.)
Consistent definitions of undergraduate and graduate student for all Title IV programs
Define independent study
Nonstandard term and nonterm programs
Use of completion of half the weeks of instructional time for timing of loan disbursements
Determining loan eligibility for nonstandard term programs
Require institutions to use consistent disbursement periods, where allowed under the law
Cash management
Recovery of funds not claimed by student or parent
Student/parent permission for electronic disbursements
Requirements for "issuing a check" by making it available for pickup
Late, late disbursements
Affirmative confirmation of a loan
Simplify excess cash allowances
Treatment of FFEL and Direct Loan funds when a student withdraws before beginning class--make consistent with other programs
Eliminate the single disbursement requirement for Perkins and FSEOG
Technical corrections
Posted 01/30/07 to www.NASFAA.org. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org
