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Page Numbers: 65631-65651
Summary: Cohort Default Rates
[Federal Register: November 1, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 212)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 65631-65651]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01no00-22]
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Part VII
Department of Education
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34 CFR Parts 668, 682, 685, and 690
Student Assistance General Provisions, Federal Family Education Loan
Program, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, and Federal Pell
Grant Program; Final Rule
[[Page 65632]]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
34 CFR Parts 668, 682, 685, and 690
RIN 1845-AA17
Student Assistance General Provisions, Federal Family Education
Loan Program, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, and Federal
Pell Grant Program
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Final regulations.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary amends the Student Assistance General
Provisions, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, William D.
Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, and Federal Pell Grant
Program regulations. In these final regulations, the requirements for
the loan default reduction and prevention measures are moved to a new
subpart and revised for clarity and consistency. The Secretary also
makes various substantive changes to these requirements.
DATES: These regulations are effective July 1, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Smith, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., ROB-3, room 3045, Washington, DC
20202-5447. Telephone: (202) 708-8242. If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding
paragraph.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 2, 2000, we published a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for the Student Assistance General
Provisions, FFEL Program, Direct Loan Program, and Federal Pell Grant
Program in the Federal Register (65 FR 47590). In the preamble to the
NPRM, we discussed on pages 47591 through 47601 the major changes
proposed in that document. That discussion will not be repeated here.
To fully understand the changes, we strongly encourage a review of the
preamble of the NPRM. The following list summarizes those major
changes:
Moving the regulations governing the calculation of cohort
default rates and challenges to those rates that were in previous
Sec. 668.17 to a new subpart M of part 668, revising the regulations
for clarity and consistency, and removing Appendix D to part 668.
In Sec. 668.184, providing detailed regulations for
determining an institution's cohort default rate after certain types of
institutional restructuring.
In Secs. 668.185(c) and 668.195, amending certain
regulations for a participation rate index challenge or appeal.
In Sec. 668.187(a)(1), imposing a loss of participation
from the FFEL and Direct Loan programs against an institution having a
cohort default rate greater than 40 percent, without requiring the use
of a proceeding under subpart G of part 668.
In Sec. 668.187(a)(2), imposing a loss of participation in
the FFEL Program against an institution with three consecutive cohort
default rates of 25 percent or greater, even if Direct Loans are
included in those cohort default rates, without the use of a proceeding
under subpart G of part 668.
In Sec. 668.188, providing for the application of an
institution's loss of eligibility to a related or successor institution
when certain criteria are met, to prevent an institution from evading
the consequences of cohort default rates.
In Sec. 668.192, allowing an institution that is
provisionally certified under Sec. 668.16(m) to submit an erroneous
data appeal.
In Sec. 668.193, allowing all institutions to appeal their
most recent cohort default rates on the basis of improper loan
servicing or collection.
In Sec. 668.194, restoring certain eligibility criteria,
inadvertently omitted in previous regulations, and revising submission
requirements for an economically disadvantaged appeal.
In Sec. 668.196, providing for the submission of an
average rates appeal by an institution that is subject to loss of
participation based on a cohort default rate greater than 40 percent.
In Sec. 668.197, providing for the submission of a thirty-
or-fewer borrowers appeal by an institution that is subject to loss of
participation based on a cohort default rate greater than 40 percent.
In Sec. 668.198, exempting a special institution that is
in compliance with this section from a loss of eligibility based on a
cohort default rate greater than 40 percent.
These final regulations contain several significant changes from
the NPRM. We fully explain these changes in the Analysis of Comments
and Changes elsewhere in this preamble.
Effect of Regulations on Rights or Obligations
These final regulations will be a new subpart M of part 668 of the
Department's regulations. This new subpart is a reorganization of
provisions governing the cohort default rate calculation and challenge
process, which are currently in 34 CFR 668.17. As discussed elsewhere
in this preamble, a few of these provisions have also been revised.
Generally, these changes do not affect procedural or substantive rights
of any party. However, there are a few instances in which those rights
have been modified. To the extent that an institution has or had a
right or obligation under Sec. 668.17 before the effective date of
these regulations, the institution's exercise or failure to exercise
that right or meet that obligation is binding after the effective date
of these regulations. These final regulations govern all rights and
obligations that may apply to an institution or other party after their
effective date.
Analysis of Comments and Changes
The regulations in this document were developed through the use of
negotiated rulemaking. Section 492 of the Higher Education Act of 1965,
as amended (HEA) requires that, before publishing any proposed
regulations to implement programs under Title IV of the HEA, the
Secretary obtain public involvement in the development of the proposed
regulations. After obtaining advice and recommendations, the Secretary
must conduct a negotiated rulemaking process to develop the proposed
regulations.
These regulations were published in proposed form on August 2,
2000, following the completion of the negotiated rulemaking process.
The Secretary invited comments on the proposed regulations by September
18, 2000, and 17 comments were received. An analysis of the comments
and of the changes in the regulations since publication of the NPRM
follows.
We discuss substantive issues under the sections of the regulations
to which they pertain. Generally, we do not address technical and other
minor changes and suggested changes the law does not authorize the
Secretary to make.
General
Comments: In general, the commenters supported the proposed
regulations and commended us for our efforts to make the requirements
for cohort default rates clearer and more consistent. One commenter
specifically supported the removal of the previous Appendix D to part
668, stating that it is important to give institutions the flexibility
they need to manage cohort default rates.
Discussion: We appreciate the commenters' support for the proposed
[[Page 65633]]
regulations and the work of the members of the negotiated rulemaking
committee that resulted in the proposed regulations.
Changes: None.
Provisional Certification (Sec. 668.16(m)(2)(i))
Comments: None.
Discussion: As we stated in the preamble to the NPRM (65 FR 47599),
during negotiated rulemaking we agreed to change the regulations to
allow institutions to submit erroneous data appeals to contest
provisional certification under Sec. 668.16(m). We have subsequently
reviewed the processes for implementing this new appeal and have
determined that there is no need to provisionally certify every
institution that has one cohort default rate that falls between 25
percent and 40 percent. In some cases, it may be just as effective to
apply other current safeguards to address this issue at the institution
and to protect the Federal Government's interest. Improved reporting
practices, a holistic case management approach, the availability of
technical assistance, and other current safeguards may be adequate to
address, in some cases, issues associated with an excessive cohort
default rate.
Changes: We have revised Sec. 668.16(m)(2)(i) to provide for the
Secretary's discretion in provisionally certifying an institution under
that paragraph.
Submission Deadlines (Sec. 668.182(c))
Comments: Three commenters agreed with our use of a consistent
definition for ``days'' throughout these regulations, instead of using
``calendar days'' as a measure for some requirements and ``working
days'' as a measure for other requirements. One commenter agreed with
our proposal to define ``days'' as ``calendar days'' because ``calendar
days'' is easier to understand, while the concept of a ``working day''
may lend itself to different interpretations and is more difficult to
monitor.
However, one commenter questioned whether the change from calendar
days to working days would allow institutions less time to comply with
the regulations. Another commenter recommended that the regulations
define ``days'' as ``working days'' because it would allow institutions
more time to submit requests and appeals during the cohort default rate
process. This commenter stated that requiring an institution to submit
a completed appeal within 30 calendar days may place an undue burden on
institutions that are also trying to perform the other administrative
functions required for participation in the Title IV, HEA programs.
Discussion: In general, these regulations allow institutions the
same amount of time, or more, to submit challenges, requests for
adjustments, or appeals, when compared to previous regulations. The
only exception is if an institution has to pay a fee to a data manager
during a loan servicing appeal, under Sec. 668.193(c)(5). Previously,
an institution had 15 working days to pay this fee; under the new
regulations, an institution has 15 calendar days to pay this fee.
We do not agree that the term ``days'' should mean ``working days''
in subpart M of part 668. We also do not agree that it is unreasonable
to require an institution to submit a completed appeal within 30
calendar days. In fact, it is our experience that almost every
institution meets the deadline.
Changes: None.
Entering Repayment on Federal Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS)
Program Loans (Sec. 668.182(f)(2))
Comments: One commenter stated that there were inaccuracies in
proposed Sec. 668.182(f)(2) in the definition of the date that a
Federal SLS loan enters repayment for the purposes of calculating a
cohort default rate.
Proposed Sec. 668.182(f)(2)(i) stated that a Federal SLS loan is
considered to enter repayment at the same time as the borrower's
Federal Stafford loan enters repayment, if the borrower received a
Federal Stafford loan for the same loan period. The commenter noted
that 34 CFR 682.200 and 682.209(a)(2)(iii) do not require that the
borrower receive the Federal SLS and Federal Stafford loans for the
same loan period. Instead, under those sections, the Federal SLS and
Federal Stafford loans must be obtained during the same period of
continuous enrollment, which may include one or more loan periods, for
the Federal SLS loan to enter repayment at the same time as the Federal
Stafford loan.
In addition, under proposed Sec. 668.182(f)(2)(ii), for all other
purposes, a Federal SLS loan would be considered to enter repayment on
the day after the student ceased to be enrolled at the institution on
at least a half-time basis in an educational program leading to a
degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential. The
commenter stated that loans do not enter repayment because a student
ceases to be enrolled at least half-time at a particular institution;
they enter repayment because the student ceases to be enrolled at least
half-time. A student might continue his or her studies at another
institution, and the loans would not enter repayment until the student
ceased to be enrolled at least half-time at that second institution.
Discussion: We agree with the commenter.
Changes: We have revised Sec. 668.182(f)(2) to correct the errors
the commenter described.
Entering Repayment on Consolidation Loans (Sec. 668.183(b))
Comments: None.
Discussion: After further review, we have concluded that the
language in proposed Secs. 668.182(f)(3)(ii) and 668.183(b)(2), which
describes the inclusion of loans made under the Federal Consolidation
Loan Program and the Federal Direct Consolidation Loan Program in the
calculation of cohort default rates, is unnecessarily complex.
Changes: We have removed proposed Secs. 668.182(f)(3)(ii) and
668.183(b)(2) and revised Sec. 668.183(b)(1) to clarify the inclusion
of consolidation loans in the calculation of a cohort default rate.
Calculation of Cohort Default Rates for Proprietary, Non-degree-
granting Institutions (Sec. 668.183(c)(1)(iii))
Comments: Under Sec. 668.183(c)(1)(iii), certain loans that are
repaid under the Direct Loan Program's income contingent repayment plan
are considered to be in default for the purpose of calculating a non-
degree-granting proprietary institution's cohort default rate. As noted
in the preamble to the NPRM (65 FR 47591), this provision does not make
any change to current regulations and was presented to the negotiating
committee only as part of the overall restructuring of the regulations.
One commenter agreed that these regulations are appropriate and
stated that degree-granting institutions with historically low default
rates should not be subject to this regulatory provision. Seven
commenters argued that these regulations are inappropriate. They
claimed that these regulations unfairly target non-degree-granting
proprietary institutions. Several commenters argued that if these
requirements are appropriate for non-degree-granting proprietary
institutions, then they should be appropriate for, and applied to, all
types of institutions.
The commenters believed that there is not a significant risk that
an institution could have a low cohort default rate even though a large
proportion of its former students are making only minimal or no
payments under the income contingent repayment plan. They did not
believe that this risk is an adequate reason for the special
[[Page 65634]]
treatment of loans being repaid through income contingent repayment
included in the proposed regulations. They noted that, since this
requirement applies only to borrowers who are repaying Direct Loans, it
may make some institutions reluctant to participate in the Direct Loan
Program or to counsel borrowers to apply for Direct Consolidation
Loans.
The commenters also argued that this provision is contrary to the
purpose of the Direct Loan Program's income contingent repayment plan.
They contended that this repayment plan was designed to help students
repay their loans, even if the students are starting new careers or are
unable to work full time, and that this repayment plan is a legitimate
option for all eligible borrowers.
Discussion: We appreciate the commenters' concerns, but continue to
believe that this is a potential area for abuse. Without this
provision, an institution could have a low cohort default rate, even
though a large proportion of its former students are making only
minimal or no payments on their loans. Though an institution cannot
require all its borrowers to choose one repayment plan, it can, through
its counseling, increase the likelihood of a borrower's choosing to
repay under the Direct Loan Program's income contingent repayment plan.
We also continue to believe that this provision should apply only
to non-degree-granting proprietary institutions. As we stated in the
preamble to the NPRM, our experience and data show that student
borrowers at non-degree-granting proprietary institutions are at a
higher risk of default than other student borrowers. The cohort default
rates of non-degree-granting proprietary institutions are, on average,
consistently higher than those of other institutions. Since non-degree-
granting proprietary institutions provide students with education or
training needed to secure employment, a borrower's ability to make
substantial payments on a loan reflects the value of the education or
training provided by the institution in the marketplace.
Changes: None.
Reinsurance and Default (Sec. 668.183(c)(2)(ii))
Comments: None.
Discussion: Proposed Sec. 668.183(c)(2)(ii) stated that a borrower
is not considered to be in default based on a loan that is no longer
reinsured by us. This statement is not correct. A loan that is no
longer reinsured by us is removed from the cohort completely: the
borrower is neither counted in the cohort nor considered to be a
defaulter. However, this is not the situation that we intended to
address in this paragraph, and since it is inherent in the cohort
default rate process that a loan must be reinsured by us to be included
in the calculation, it does not need to be stated explicitly in
regulations.
We had intended for Sec. 668.183(c)(2)(ii) to address situations in
which a lender repurchases a loan, before the end of the fiscal year
immediately following the fiscal year in which it entered repayment,
having recognized that the lender's claim for insurance on the loan was
submitted or paid in error. In those situations, the loan is not
considered to be in default.
Changes: We have revised Sec. 668.183(c)(2)(ii) to provide that,
for the purposes of calculating a cohort default rate, a borrower is
not considered to be in default on certain repurchased loans.
Change in Status and Change in Institutional Structure or Identity
(Sec. 668.184(a)(3))
Comments: None.
Discussion: Section 668.184 describes how an institution's cohort
default rate is determined after certain changes in institutional
structure or identity. Under Sec. 668.188, a loss of eligibility
imposed against one institution is also applied to one or more other
institutions, in certain circumstances, following a change in
institutional structure or identity. Because these separate provisions
both deal with changes in institutional structure or identity, we
believe that, without clarification, there may be confusion about
whether both provisions could apply to the same institution based on
the same circumstance.
The application of one of these sections to an institution does not
preclude the application of the other section to that same institution
based on the same circumstance. The sections are separate requirements.
A determination of an institution's cohort default rate under
Sec. 668.184 does not preclude the application of a loss of eligibility
under Sec. 668.188, and the application of a loss of eligibility under
Sec. 668.188 does not preclude the determination of an institution's
cohort default rate under Sec. 668.184.
Changes: We have renumbered proposed Sec. 668.184(a)(3) as
Sec. 668.184(a)(4) and added a new Sec. 668.184(a)(3) to clarify that a
change of status that affects the calculation of an institution's
cohort default rate under Sec. 668.184 may also affect that
institution's eligibility to participate in Title IV, HEA programs
under Sec. 668.187 or Sec. 668.188.
Data Manager's Ability To Deny a Challenge, Request for Adjustment, or
Appeal (Secs. 668.185(a)(4) and 668.189(c))
Comments: Three commenters noted that proposed Secs. 668.185(a)(4)
and 668.189(c) state that the Department may deny a school's challenge,
request for adjustment, or appeal if an institution does not comply
with the requirements in the Cohort Default Rate Guide. The commenters
suggested that guarantors, as data managers, should have the same
latitude to deny non-compliant challenges and appeals as the
Department.
Discussion: Only the Secretary may deny an institution's challenge,
request for adjustment, or appeal. Data managers do not have the
authority to make this determination. If a data manager receives an
institution's request for information during the cohort default rate
process but is unable to respond because the request lacks necessary
information or is not in the required format, then the data manager
must ask the institution to submit the missing information or to submit
the request in the required format. However, there is no change to the
timeframe for the institution's submission; the institution must send
its corrected request for information to the data manager within the
original timeframe.
Changes: None.
Request for Loan Record Detail Report (Sec. 668.186(c)(1))
Comments: None.
Discussion: In proposed Sec. 668.186(c)(1), awkward language could
have been read to mean that an institution could not request less than
two loan record detail reports at a time. Most institutions will only
need to request one loan record detail report at a time.
Changes: We have revised Sec. 668.186(c)(1) to clarify that an
institution may request any loan record detail report that lists loans
included in its cohort default rate calculation.
Loss of Participation for Institutions With Cohort Default Rates
Exceeding 40 Percent (Sec. 668.187(a)(1))
Comments: One commenter supported changes in Sec. 668.187(a)(1),
stating that the new regulations would provide institutions that have
one cohort default rate over 40 percent with the same opportunities to
challenge, request an adjustment, or appeal as those afforded to
institutions with three consecutive cohort default rates of 25 percent
or more. The commenter stated that the new regulations provide a more
[[Page 65635]]
equitable process for schools with one cohort rate over 40 percent.
Discussion: We agree with the commenter.
Changes: None.
Preventing Evasion of the Consequences of Cohort Default Rates
(Sec. 668.188(a)(2))
Comments: In the preamble to the NPRM (65 FR 47597), we stated
that, in general, an institution is offering an educational program at
``substantially the same address'' as an ineligible institution if its
site is the same as the ineligible institution's site or is physically
located close enough to the ineligible institution's site to
demonstrate that the educational programs it provides are intended to
serve the same population.
Four commenters felt that this statement was an overly broad
interpretation of the regulatory criterion, and they asked us to revise
our interpretation in this preamble. Some commenters contended that
this interpretation would be impossible to apply consistently, because
it would require an extensive analysis of the population served by the
institutions. The commenters also noted that the statement in the
preamble to the NPRM could be read to suggest that we will treat
institutions that are located miles apart as being located at
``substantially the same address.'' Three commenters stated that, as
distance learning becomes more accepted for all or parts of a program,
any school that uses computerized instruction over the internet could
be considered to be serving the same population.
The commenters argued that ``substantially the same address''
should refer to the same building, an adjacent building, the same
block, across the street, etc. They stated that these were the examples
offered during negotiated rulemaking, to gain consensus for this
requirement, and that the consensus achieved during negotiated
rulemaking did not include the broad interpretation they believed was
reflected in the preamble to the NPRM.
Discussion: The purpose of Sec. 668.188 is to keep institutions
from evading the consequences of their cohort default rates through the
use of measures such as branching, consolidation, change of ownership
or control, or any similar devices. Limiting the interpretation of
``substantially the same address'' to the specific locations the
commenters suggest would not be appropriate for many circumstances. An
institution that was able to relocate outside those specific parameters
while continuing to serve the same population of students could, in
effect, continue to function as the same institution and evade the
consequences of its cohort default rates.
For example, after Institution A becomes ineligible to participate
in the FFEL and Direct Loan programs, its owner changes Institution A's
name to Institution B and moves it 10 blocks away from Institution A's
site. Institutions A and B are located in a small city, where no other
institutions provide the same type of educational programs, and they
serve the same population of students. One week after Institution A
becomes ineligible, Institution B opens for business with the same
owner and staff. Under the interpretation that the commenters suggest,
Institution A's prior loss of eligibility would not be applied to
Institution B because their sites are located 10 blocks apart rather
than in adjacent buildings, on the same block, across the street, etc.
This result does not serve the goals of section 435(m)(3) of the
HEA, which these regulations are intended to implement. In the example,
Institution B was created from Institution A merely by changing the
name and location. The institutions are owned by the same person, and
since they are located in a small city, they provided the same
educational programs to the same population of students. It is clear
that the change in status was instituted in order to evade the
consequences of Institution A's cohort default rates, and also that
Institution A is continuing to function as Institution B. In this case,
limiting the interpretation of ``substantially the same address'' to
the specific locations the commenters mention would only prompt the
owner to locate Institution B at least one building beyond that
narrowly-defined area. It would not prevent Institution B from evading
the consequences of Institution A's cohort default rates.
During the negotiated rulemaking discussions, we did not intend to
limit the interpretation of this provision to a specific geographical
area. If we had intended to create a narrowly-defined rule, we would
have defined that geographical area specifically in the regulatory
language, rather than using the more general term, ``substantially the
same address.'' The statement included in the preamble to the NPRM was
intended to provide an explanation of the circumstances under which
that term could extend further than a narrowly-defined geographical
area.
We recognize that this approach may result in some uncertainty
among institutions contemplating various changes in status. For this
reason, a procedure is included in these regulations for institutions
to make inquiries to us. If an institution is undergoing a change in
institutional structure or identity and is unsure whether its site is
located at ``substantially the same address'' as another institution's
site, it may contact us for an initial determination under
Sec. 668.188(d).
Changes: None.
Initial Determination of the Effect of an Anticipated Change on an
Institution's Eligibility (Sec. 668.188(d))
Comments: None.
Discussion: Proposed Sec. 668.188(d) encourages an institution to
contact us for an initial determination of the effect of an anticipated
change on the institution's eligibility. As written, the proposed
regulations did not specify the format for the institution's request or
for our response. To ensure that an initial determination is adequately
documented, both the institution's request for the initial
determination and our response need to be in writing.
Changes: We have revised Sec. 668.188(d) to require institutions'
requests for initial determinations and our responses to be in writing.
Requirements for Data Managers' Responses (Sec. 668.189(e)(2))
Comments: None.
Discussion: Proposed Sec. 668.189(e)(2) stated that correspondence
sent to us by a data manager as part of the cohort default rate process
``should'' be in a format acceptable to us. On further consideration,
however, we have determined that the use of the word ``should'' created
an ambiguity. The paragraph did not specify whether it required or
merely encouraged data managers to send us correspondence in a format
acceptable to us. This ambiguity needs to be resolved.
The word ``should'' was added to Sec. 668.189(e)(2) during
negotiations. Non-Federal negotiators asked us to change proposed
language, which provided that the data ``must be in a format acceptable
to us,'' to ``should be in a format acceptable to us.'' They made this
request so the requirement for data managers would be less rigid and
more similar to requirements for institutions, under Sec. 668.189(c),
which state that we ``may'' (instead of ``will'') deny an institution's
request for adjustment or appeal if it does not meet certain
requirements.
On further consideration, however, we have determined that changing
the language did not make the provisions similar, since an institution
risks the denial of its appeal if its request is not in an acceptable
format. In contrast, a guaranty agency would not be subject to
[[Page 65636]]
any consequence for not providing data in an acceptable format.
Changes: We have revised Sec. 668.189(e)(2) to clarify the
requirement for data managers by making it more similar to the
corresponding requirement for institutions, under Sec. 668.189(c). The
revised regulations allow guaranty agencies some flexibility, but they
also allow the Secretary to require a guaranty agency to provide data
in a specified format.
Submission of Erroneous Data Appeals (Sec. 668.192(a)(2))
Comments: None.
Discussion: Proposed Sec. 668.192(a)(2) did not fully explain the
circumstances under which an institution may submit an erroneous data
appeal. The proposed regulations stated that an institution may submit
an erroneous data appeal if a comparison of its loan record detail
reports, for the draft and official cohort default rates, shows that
certain data have been newly included, excluded, or otherwise changed.
However, in order for an institution to submit an erroneous data appeal
for that new data, it must also dispute the data's accuracy. Though
this requirement is included in Sec. 668.192(c), as it relates to our
determination on an erroneous data appeal, it also needs to be clearly
stated for institutions in Sec. 668.192(a)(2).
Changes: We have revised Sec. 668.192(a)(2) to more clearly reflect
the criteria for an erroneous data appeal.
Requirements for Submitting Loan Servicing Appeals (Sec. 668.193(c)(2))
Comments: None.
Discussion: Under proposed Sec. 668.193(c)(2), an institution that
is requesting loan servicing records would send the data manager the
``list of students that we provided to you.'' This phrase refers to the
``loan record detail report,'' which is defined in Sec. 668.182(h). To
avoid confusion, we have decided to use the term ``loan record detail
report'' in Sec. 668.193(c)(2).
Changes: In Sec. 668.193(c)(2), we have changed ``list of students
that we provided to you'' to ``loan record detail report.''
Summaries of Eligibility and Submission Requirements for Challenges,
Adjustments, and Appeals (Appendix A to Subpart M of Part 668)
Comments: After the NPRM was published, we sent a formatted copy of
the proposed Appendix A to a focus group comprised of eight
representatives of the financial aid community. We asked for their
comments on the usefulness and understandability of the tables in
Appendix A. Three commenters responded to our request. Although the
commenters appeared to generally understand the tables, their responses
identified certain areas in which the tables and their introductions
need to be improved.
Discussion: We appreciate the commenters' help and have accepted
most of their suggestions.
Changes: We have revised the first table, under ``I. Summary of
Submission Eligibility,'' so that it contains a ``Yes'' or a ``No'' in
each cell, and we have reformatted the table so that its information is
arranged and identified more consistently. In the second table, under
``II. Summary of Submission Deadlines,'' we have made several minor
formatting and text changes and have rewritten the introductory
language to more clearly specify the starting date for each timeframe
described in the table, including the starting dates for timeframes
when an action is not always required (identified in the table by a
dotted border).
However, we did not make all of the changes that the commenters
suggested:
Instead of removing the information associated with the
draft cohort default rate process from the first table and adding a
separate table for that information, we have specified within the first
table that sanctions are never based on draft cohort default rates.
We have not included page numbers with citations. It would
be impossible to keep the page numbers updated so that they would
always identify the text as it is first printed in the Federal Register
and subsequently printed in each year's version of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
We have not re-ordered the columns in the second table so
that challenges, adjustments, and appeals are presented in the order of
their appearance in the regulations. When printed in the Code of
Federal Regulations, this table will be divided in half and printed on
facing pages. If the columns were arranged in the order of the
requirements' appearance in the regulations, the columns for
Secs. 668.191 and 668.192 would be printed on different pages, and it
would not be possible to note their common submission requirements.
We have not included definitions of the terms ``you'',
``we'', and ``data manager'' in Appendix A. This appendix will be
published in the Code of Federal Regulations as part of subpart M of
part 668. It will not be separated from this subpart by other
regulations or appendices, so there is no need to repeat these
definitions.
Instead of explaining in the second table the reason that
a school would not receive a loan record detail report with its cohort
default rate, we have included this information as an example in the
introductory language for the table. There is no space in the table to
insert this explanation.
Executive Order 12866
We have reviewed these final regulations in accordance with
Executive Order 12866. Under the terms of the order we have assessed
the potential costs and benefits of this regulatory action.
The potential costs associated with the final regulations are those
resulting from statutory requirements and those we have determined to
be necessary for administering these programs effectively and
efficiently.
In assessing the potential costs and benefits--both quantitative
and qualitative--of these final regulations, we have determined that
the benefits of the regulations justify the costs.
We have also determined that this regulatory action does not unduly
interfere with State, local, and tribal governments in the exercise of
their governmental functions.
We summarized the potential costs and benefits of these final
regulations in the preamble to the NPRM (65 FR 47590).
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 does not require you to respond
to a collection of information unless it displays a valid Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We display the valid OMB
control number assigned to the collection of information in these final
regulations at the end of the affected sections of the regulations.
Intergovernmental Review
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program and
the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership are subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. One of the
objectives of the Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental
partnership and a strengthened federalism by relying on processes
developed by State and local governments for coordination and review of
proposed Federal financial assistance.
In accordance with the order, we intend this document to provide
early notification of our specific plans and actions for these
programs.
The Federal Family Education Loan, Federal Supplemental Loans for
[[Page 65637]]
Students, Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Pell Grant,
and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan programs are not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
Assessment of Educational Impact
In the NPRM we requested comments on whether the proposed
regulations would require transmission of information that any other
agency or authority of the United States gathers or makes available.
Based on the response to the NPRM and on our review, we have
determined that these final regulations do not require transmission of
information that any other agency or authority of the United States
gathers or makes available.
Electronic Access to This Document
You may view this document in text or Adobe Portable Document
Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following sites:
http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://ifap.ed.gov/dev_csb/new/home.nsf
To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free
at the first of the previous sites. If you have questions about using
PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-
888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html
.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers: 84.007 Federal
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program; 84.032 Federal
Family Education Loan Program; 84.032 Federal PLUS Program; 84.032
Federal Supplemental Loans for Students Program; 84.033 Federal
Work-Study Program; 84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program; 84.063
Federal Pell Grant Program; 84.069 Leveraging Educational Assistance
Partnership; and 84.268 William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program)
List of Subjects
34 CFR Part 668
Administrative practice and procedure, Colleges and universities,
Consumer protection, Education, Grant programs--education, Loan
programs--education, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Student
aid, Vocational education.
34 CFR Parts 682 and 685
Administrative practice and procedure, Colleges and universities,
Loan programs--education, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Student aid, Vocational education.
34 CFR Part 690
Colleges and universities, Education of disadvantaged, Grant
programs--education, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Student
aid.
Dated: October 24, 2000.
Richard W. Riley,
Secretary of Education.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Secretary amends
parts 668, 682, 685, and 690 of title 34 of the Code of Federal
Regulations as follows:
PART 668--STUDENT ASSISTANCE GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. The authority citation for Part 668 is amended to read as
follows:
Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001, 1002, 1003, 1085, 1088, 1091, 1092,
1094, 1099c, and 1099c-1, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 668.14 [Amended]
2. In Sec. 668.14, paragraph (b)(15)(iii) is removed.
3. Section 668.16 is amended--
A. In paragraph (m)(1), by removing ``an FFEL Program cohort
default rate, a Direct Loan cohort rate, or where applicable, a
weighted average cohort rate'' and adding, in its place, ``a cohort
default rate''.
B. In paragraph (m)(1)(i), by removing ``As defined in
Sec. 668.17'' and adding, in its place, ``Calculated under subpart M of
this part''.
C. By revising paragraph (m)(2).
Sec. 668.16 Standards of administrative capability.
* * * * *
(m) * * *
(2)(i) However, if the Secretary determines that an institution's
administrative capability is impaired solely because the institution
fails to comply with paragraph (m)(1) of this section, the Secretary
allows the institution to continue to participate in the Title IV, HEA
programs but may provisionally certify the institution in accordance
with Sec. 668.13(c); and
(ii) The institution may appeal the loss of full participation in a
Title IV, HEA program under paragraph (m)(1) of this section by
submitting an erroneous data appeal in writing to the Secretary in
accordance with and on the grounds specified in subpart M of this part;
* * * * *
Sec. 668.17 [Removed and reserved]
4. Section 668.17 is removed and reserved.
Sec. 668.26 [Amended]
5. In Sec. 668.26, paragraph (a)(6) is amended by removing
``Sec. 668.17(c)'' and adding, in its place, ``subpart M of this
part''.
Sec. 668.46 [Amended]
6. In Sec. 668.46, paragraph (c)(7) is amended by removing
``Appendix E to this part'', and adding, in its place, ``appendix A to
this subpart''.
7. Section 668.85 is amended--
A. By revising paragraph (b)(1)(ii).
B. In paragraph (b)(3), by removing the third sentence.
Sec. 668.85 Suspension proceedings.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) Specifies the proposed effective date of the suspension, which
is at least 20 days after the date of mailing of the notice of intent;
* * * * *
8. Section 668.86 is amended--
A. By revising paragraph (b)(1)(ii).
B. In paragraph (b)(3), by removing the third sentence.
Sec. 668.86 Limitation or termination proceedings.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) Specifies the proposed effective date of the limitation or
termination, which is at least 20 days after the date of mailing of the
notice of intent;
* * * * *
Sec. 668.90 [Amended]
9. In Sec. 668.90, paragraphs (a)(1)(iii)(D) and (a)(3)(iv) are
removed; and paragraphs (a)(3)(v), (a)(3)(vi), and (a)(3)(vii) are
redesignated as paragraphs (a)(3)(iv), (a)(3)(v), and (a)(3)(vi),
respectively.
Sec. 668.171 [Amended]
10. In Sec. 668.171, paragraph (b)(1) is amended by removing
``appendices F and G'' and adding, in its place, ``appendices A and B
to this subpart''.
Sec. 668.172 [Amended]
11. Section 668.172 is amended--
A. In the heading for paragraph (a), by removing ``Appendices F and
G'', and adding, in its place, ``Appendices A and B''.
B. In paragraph (a), by removing ``appendices F and G to this
part'' and adding, in its place, ``appendices A and B to this
subpart''.
C. In paragraph (b), by removing ``appendix F'' and adding, in its
place, ``appendix A''; and by removing
[[Page 65638]]
``appendix G'' and adding, in its place, ``appendix B''.
12. A new subpart M is added to Part 668 to read as follows:
Subpart M--Cohort Default Rates
Sec.
668.181 Purpose of this subpart.
668.182 Definitions of terms used in this subpart.
668.183 Calculating and applying cohort default rates.
668.184 Determining cohort default rates for institutions that
have undergone a change in status.
668.185 Draft cohort default rates and your ability to challenge
before official cohort default rates are issued.
668.186 Notice of your official cohort default rate.
668.187 Consequences of cohort default rates on your ability to
participate in Title IV, HEA programs.
668.188 Preventing evasion of the consequences of cohort default
rates.
668.189 General requirements for adjusting official cohort default
rates and for appealing their consequences.
668.190 Uncorrected data adjustments.
668.191 New data adjustments.
668.192 Erroneous data appeals.
668.193 Loan servicing appeals.
668.194 Economically disadvantaged appeals.
668.195 Participation rate index appeals.
668.196 Average rates appeals.
668.197 Thirty-or-fewer borrowers appeals.
668.198 Relief from the consequences of cohort default rates for
special institutions.
Appendix A to Subpart M of Part 668--Summaries of eligibility and
submission requirements for challenges, adjustments, and appeals.
Appendix B to Subpart M of Part 668--Sample default management plan
for special institutions to use when complying with Sec. 668.198.
Sec. 668.181 Purpose of this subpart.
Your cohort default rate is a measure we use to determine your
eligibility to participate in various Title IV, HEA programs. We may
also use it for determining your eligibility for exemptions, such as
those for certain disbursement requirements under the FFEL and Direct
Loan Programs. This subpart describes how cohort default rates are
calculated, some of the consequences of cohort default rates, and how
you may request changes to your cohort default rates or appeal their
consequences. Under this subpart, you submit a ``challenge'' after you
receive your draft cohort default rate, and you request an
``adjustment'' or ``appeal'' after your official cohort default rate is
published.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.182 Definitions of terms used in this subpart.
We use the following definitions in this subpart:
(a) Cohort. Your cohort is a group of borrowers used to determine
your cohort default rate. The method for identifying the borrowers in a
cohort is provided in Sec. 668.183(b).
(b) Data manager. (1) For FFELP loans held by a guaranty agency or
lender, the guaranty agency is the data manager.
(2) For FFELP loans that we hold, we are the data manager.
(3) For Direct Loan Program loans, the Direct Loan Servicer, as
defined in 34 CFR 685.102, is the data manager.
(c) Days. In this subpart, ``days'' means calendar days.
(d) Default. A borrower is considered to be in default for cohort
default rate purposes under the rules in Sec. 668.183(c).
(e) Draft cohort default rate. Your draft cohort default rate is a
rate we issue, for your review, before we issue your official cohort
default rate. A draft cohort default rate is used only for the purposes
described in Sec. 668.185.
(f) Entering repayment. (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(2)
and (f)(3) of this section, loans are considered to enter repayment on
the dates described in 34 CFR 682.200 (under the definition of
``repayment period'') and in 34 CFR 685.207.
(2) A Federal SLS loan is considered to enter repayment--
(i) At the same time the borrower's Federal Stafford loan enters
repayment, if the borrower received the Federal SLS loan and the
Federal Stafford loan during the same period of continuous enrollment;
or
(ii) In all other cases, on the day after the student ceases to be
enrolled at an institution on at least a half-time basis in an
educational program leading to a degree, certificate, or other
recognized educational credential.
(3) For the purposes of this subpart, a loan is considered to enter
repayment on the date that a borrower repays it in full, if the loan is
paid in full before the loan enters repayment under paragraphs (f)(1)
or (f)(2) of this section.
(g) Fiscal year. A fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends on the
following September 30. A fiscal year is identified by the calendar
year in which it ends.
(h) Loan record detail report. The loan record detail report is a
report that we produce. It contains the data used to calculate your
draft or official cohort default rate.
(i) Official cohort default rate. Your official cohort default rate
is the cohort default rate that we publish for you under Sec. 668.186.
Cohort default rates calculated under this subpart are not related in
any way to cohort default rates that are calculated for the Federal
Perkins Loan Program.
(j) We. We are the Department, the Secretary, or the Secretary's
designee.
(k) You. You are an institution.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.183 Calculating and applying cohort default rates.
(a) General. This section describes the four steps that we follow
to calculate and apply your cohort default rate for a fiscal year:
(1) First, under paragraph (b) of this section, we identify the
borrowers in your cohort for the fiscal year. If the total number of
borrowers in that cohort is fewer than 30, we also identify the
borrowers in your cohorts for the 2 most recent prior fiscal years.
(2) Second, under paragraph (c) of this section, we identify the
borrowers in the cohort (or cohorts) who are considered to be in
default. If more than one cohort will be used to calculate your cohort
default rate, we identify defaulted borrowers separately for each
cohort.
(3) Third, under paragraph (d) of this section, we calculate your
cohort default rate.
(4) Fourth, we apply your cohort default rate to all of your
locations--
(i) As you exist on the date you receive the notice of your
official cohort default rate; and
(ii) From the date on which you receive the notice of your official
cohort default rate until you receive our notice that the cohort
default rate no longer applies.
(b) Identify the borrowers in a cohort. (1) Your cohort for a
fiscal year consists of all of your current and former students who,
during that fiscal year, entered repayment on any Federal Stafford
loan, Federal SLS loan, Direct Subsidized loan, or Direct Unsubsidized
loan that they received to attend your institution, or on the portion
of a loan made under the Federal Consolidation Loan Program or the
Federal Direct Consolidation Loan Program (as defined in 34 CFR
685.102) that is used to repay those loans.
(2) A borrower may be included in more than one of your cohorts and
may be included in the cohorts of more than one institution in the same
fiscal year.
(c) Identify the borrowers in a cohort who are in default. (1)
Except as
[[Page 65639]]
provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, for the purposes of this
subpart a borrower in a cohort for a fiscal year is considered to be in
default if--
(i) Before the end of the following fiscal year, the borrower
defaults on any FFELP loan that was used to include the borrower in the
cohort or on any Federal Consolidation Loan Program loan that repaid a
loan that was used to include the borrower in the cohort (however, a
borrower is not considered to be in default unless a claim for
insurance has been paid on the loan by a guaranty agency or by us);
(ii) Before the end of the following fiscal year, the borrower
fails to make an installment payment, when due, on any Direct Loan
Program loan that was used to include the borrower in the cohort or on
any Federal Direct Consolidation Loan Program loan that repaid a loan
that was used to include the borrower in the cohort, and the borrower's
failure persists for 360 days (or for 270 days, if the borrower's first
day of delinquency was before October 7, 1998);
(iii) You are a proprietary, non-degree-granting institution, and
before the end of the following fiscal year, the borrower has been in
repayment for 360 days, under the Direct Loan Program's income
contingent repayment plan, on a loan used to include the borrower in
your cohort (or that repaid a loan that was used to include the
borrower in your cohort), with scheduled payments that are less than 15
dollars per month and are less than the amount of interest accruing on
the loan; or
(iv) Before the end of the following fiscal year, you or your
owner, agent, contractor, employee, or any other affiliated entity or
individual make a payment to prevent a borrower's default on a loan
that is used to include the borrower in that cohort.
(2) A borrower is not considered to be in default based on a loan
that is, before the end of the fiscal year immediately following the
fiscal year in which it entered repayment--
(i) Rehabilitated under 34 CFR 682.405 or 34 CFR 685.211(e); or
(ii) Repurchased by a lender because the claim for insurance was
submitted or paid in error.
(d) Calculate the cohort default rate. Except as provided in
Sec. 668.184, if there are--
(1) Thirty or more borrowers in your cohort for a fiscal year, your
cohort default rate is the percentage that is derived by dividing--
(i) The number of borrowers in the cohort who are in default, as
determined under paragraph (c) of this section; by (ii) The number of
borrowers in the cohort, as determined under paragraph (b) of this
section.
(2) Fewer than 30 borrowers in your cohort for a fiscal year, your
cohort default rate is the percentage that is derived by dividing--
(i) The total number of borrowers in that cohort and in the two
most recent prior cohorts who are in default, as determined for each
cohort under paragraph (c) of this section; by
(ii) The total number of borrowers in that cohort and the two most
recent prior cohorts, as determined for each cohort under paragraph (b)
of this section.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.184 Determining cohort default rates for institutions that
have undergone a change in status.
(a) General. (1) If you undergo a change in status identified in
this section, your cohort default rate is determined under this
section.
(2) In determining cohort default rates under this section, the
date of a merger, acquisition, or other change in status is the date
the change occurs.
(3) A change in status may affect your eligibility to participate
in Title IV, HEA programs under Sec. 668.187 or Sec. 668.188.
(4) If another institution's cohort default rate is applicable to
you under this section, you may challenge, request an adjustment, or
submit an appeal for the cohort default rate under the same
requirements that would be applicable to the other institution under
Secs. 668.185 and 668.189.
(b) Acquisition or merger of institutions. If your institution
acquires, or was created by the merger of, one or more institutions
that participated independently in the Title IV, HEA programs
immediately before the acquisition or merger--
(1) For the cohort default rates published before the date of the
acquisition or merger, your cohort default rates are the same as those
of your predecessor that had the highest total number of borrowers
entering repayment in the two most recent cohorts used to calculate
those cohort default rates; and
(2) Beginning with the first cohort default rate published after
the date of the acquisition or merger, your cohort default rates are
determined by including the applicable borrowers from each institution
involved in the acquisition or merger in the calculation under
Sec. 668.183.
(c) Acquisition of branches or locations. If you acquire a branch
or a location from another institution participating in the Title IV,
HEA programs--
(1) The cohort default rates published for you before the date of
the change apply to you and to the newly acquired branch or location;
(2) Beginning with the first cohort default rate published after
the date of the change, your cohort default rates for the next 3 fiscal
years are determined by including the applicable borrowers from your
institution and the other institution (including all of its locations)
in the calculation under Sec. 668.183;
(3) After the period described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section,
your cohort default rates do not include borrowers from the other
institution in the calculation under Sec. 668.183; and
(4) At all times, the cohort default rate for the institution from
which you acquired the branch or location is not affected by this
change in status.
(d) Branches or locations becoming institutions. If you are a
branch or location of an institution that is participating in the Title
IV, HEA programs, and you become a separate, new institution for the
purposes of participating in those programs--
(1) The cohort default rates published before the date of the
change for your former parent institution are also applicable to you;
(2) Beginning with the first cohort default rate published after
the date of the change, your cohort default rates for the next 3 fiscal
years are determined by including the applicable borrowers from your
institution and your former parent institution (including all of its
locations) in the calculation under Sec. 668.183; and
(3) After the period described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section,
your cohort default rates do not include borrowers from your former
parent institution in the calculation under Sec. 668.183.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.185 Draft cohort default rates and your ability to challenge
before official cohort default rates are issued.
(a) General. (1) We notify you of your draft cohort default rate
before your official cohort default rate is calculated. Our notice
includes the loan record detail report for the draft cohort default
rate.
(2) Regardless of the number of borrowers included in your cohort,
your
[[Page 65640]]
draft cohort default rate is always calculated using data for that
fiscal year alone, using the method described in Sec. 668.183(d)(1).
(3) Your draft cohort default rate and the loan record detail
report are not considered public information and may not be otherwise
voluntarily released by a data manager.
(4) Any challenge you submit under this section and any response
provided by a data manager must be in a format acceptable to us. This
acceptable format is described in the ``Cohort Default Rate Guide''
that we provide to you. If your challenge does not comply with the
requirements in the ``Cohort Default Rate Guide,'' we may deny your
challenge.
(b) Incorrect data challenges. (1) You may challenge the accuracy
of the data included on the loan record detail report by sending a
challenge to the relevant data manager, or data managers, within 45
days after you receive the data. Your challenge must include--
(i) A description of the information in the loan record detail
report that you believe is incorrect; and
(ii) Documentation that supports your contention that the data are
incorrect.
(2) Within 30 days after receiving your challenge, the data manager
must send you and us a response that--
(i) Addresses each of your allegations of error; and
(ii) Includes the documentation that supports the data manager's
position.
(3) If your data manager concludes that draft data in the loan
record detail report are incorrect, and we agree, we use the corrected
data to calculate your cohort default rate.
(4) If you fail to challenge the accuracy of data under this
section, you cannot contest the accuracy of those data in an
uncorrected data adjustment, under Sec. 668.190, or in an erroneous
data appeal, under Sec. 668.192.
(c) Participation rate index challenges. (1)(i) You may challenge
an anticipated loss of eligibility under Sec. 668.187(a)(1), based on
one cohort default rate over 40 percent, if your participation rate
index for that cohort's fiscal year is equal to or less than 0.06015.
(ii) You may challenge an anticipated loss of eligibility under
Sec. 668.187(a)(2), based on three cohort default rates of 25 percent
or greater, if your participation rate index is equal to or less than
0.0375 for any of those three cohorts' fiscal years.
(2) For a participation rate index challenge, your participation
rate index is calculated as described in Sec. 668.195(b), except that--
(i) The draft cohort default rate is considered to be your most
recent cohort default rate; and
(ii) If the cohort used to calculate your draft cohort default rate
included fewer than 30 borrowers, you may calculate your participation
rate index for that fiscal year using either your most recent draft
cohort default rate or the average rate that would be calculated for
that fiscal year, using the method described in Sec. 668.183(d)(2).
(3) You must send your participation rate index challenge,
including all supporting documentation, to us within 45 days after you
receive your draft cohort default rate.
(4) We notify you of our determination on your participation rate
index challenge before your official cohort default rate is published.
(5) If we determine that you qualify for continued eligibility
based on your participation rate index challenge, you will not lose
eligibility under Sec. 668.187 when your next official cohort default
rate is published. A successful challenge that is based on your draft
cohort default rate does not excuse you from any other loss of
eligibility. However, if your successful challenge of a loss of
eligibility under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section is based on a
prior, official cohort default rate, and not on your draft cohort
default rate, we also excuse you from any subsequent loss of
eligibility, under Sec. 668.187(a)(2), that would be based on that
official cohort default rate.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.186 Notice of your official cohort default rate.
(a) We notify you of your cohort default rate after we calculate
it. After we send our notice to you, we publish a list of cohort
default rates for all institutions.
(b) If your cohort default rate is 10 percent or more, we include a
copy of the loan record detail report with the notice.
(c) If your cohort default rate is less than 10 percent--
(1) You may request a copy of any loan record detail report that
lists loans included in your cohort default rate calculation; and
(2) If you are requesting an adjustment or appealing under this
subpart, your request for a copy of the loan record detail report or
reports must be sent to us within 15 days after you receive the notice
of your cohort default rate.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.187 Consequences of cohort default rates on your ability to
participate in Title IV, HEA programs.
(a) End of participation. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (f)
of this section, you lose your eligibility to participate in the FFEL
and Direct Loan programs 30 days after you receive our notice that your
most recent cohort default rate is greater than 40 percent.
(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section,
you lose your eligibility to participate in the FFEL, Direct Loan, and
Federal Pell Grant programs 30 days after you receive our notice that
your three most recent cohort default rates are each 25 percent or
greater.
(b) Length of period of ineligibility. Your loss of eligibility
under this section continues--
(1) For the remainder of the fiscal year in which we notify you
that you are subject to a loss of eligibility; and
(2) For the next 2 fiscal years.
(c) Using a cohort default rate more than once. The use of a cohort
default rate as a basis for a loss of eligibility under this section
does not preclude its use as a basis for--
(1) Any concurrent or subsequent loss of eligibility under this
section; or
(2) Any other action by us.
(d) Special institutions. If you are a special institution that
satisfies the requirements for continued eligibility under
Sec. 668.198, you are not subject to any loss of eligibility under this
section or to provisional certification under Sec. 668.16(m).
(e) Continuing participation in Pell. If you are subject to a loss
of eligibility under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, based on three
cohort default rates of 25 percent or greater, you may continue to
participate in the Federal Pell Grant Program if we determine that
you--
(1) Were ineligible to participate in the FFEL and Direct Loan
programs before October 7, 1998, and your eligibility was not
reinstated;
(2) Requested in writing, before October 7, 1998, to withdraw your
participation in the FFEL and Direct Loan programs, and you were not
later reinstated; or
(3) Have not certified an FFELP loan or originated a Direct Loan
Program loan on or after July 7, 1998.
(f) Requests for adjustments and appeals. (1) A loss of eligibility
under this section does not take effect while your request for
adjustment or appeal,
[[Page 65641]]
as listed in Sec. 668.189(a), is pending, provided your request for
adjustment or appeal is complete, timely, accurate, and in the required
format.
(2) Eligibility continued under paragraph (f)(1) of this section
ends if we determine that none of the requests for adjustments and
appeals you have submitted qualify you for continued eligibility under
Sec. 668.189. Loss of eligibility takes effect on the date that you
receive notice of our determination on your last pending request for
adjustment or appeal.
(3) You do not lose eligibility under this section if we determine
that your request for adjustment or appeal meets all requirements of
this subpart and qualifies you for continued eligibility under
Sec. 668.189.
(4) To avoid liabilities you might otherwise incur under paragraph
(g) of this section, you may choose to suspend your participation in
the FFEL and Direct Loan programs during the adjustment or appeal
process.
(g) Liabilities during the adjustment or appeal process. If you
continued to participate in the FFEL or Direct Loan Program under
paragraph (f)(1) of this section, and we determine that none of your
requests for adjustments or appeals qualify you for continued
eligibility--
(1) For any FFEL or Direct Loan Program loan that you certified and
delivered or originated and disbursed more than 30 days after you
received the notice of your cohort default rate, we estimate the amount
of interest, special allowance, reinsurance, and any related or similar
payments we make or are obligated to make on those loans;
(2) We exclude from this estimate any amount attributable to funds
that you delivered or disbursed more than 45 days after you submitted
your completed appeal to us;
(3) We notify you of the estimated amount; and
(4) Within 45 days after you receive our notice of the estimated
amount, you must pay us that amount, unless--
(i) You file an appeal under the procedures established in subpart
H of this part (for the purposes of subpart H of this part, our notice
of the estimate is considered to be a final program review
determination); or
(ii) We permit a longer repayment period.
(h) Regaining eligibility. If you lose your eligibility to
participate in a program under this section, you may not participate in
that program until--
(1) The period described in paragraph (b) of this section has
ended;
(2) You pay any amount owed to us under this section or are meeting
that obligation under an agreement acceptable to us;
(3) You submit a new application for participation in the program;
(4) We determine that you meet all of the participation
requirements in effect at the time of your application; and
(5) You and we enter into a new program participation agreement.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.188 Preventing evasion of the consequences of cohort default
rates.
(a) General. Unless you are a special institution complying with
Sec. 668.198, you are subject to a loss of eligibility that has already
been imposed against another institution under Sec. 668.187 if--
(1) You and the ineligible institution are both parties to a
transaction that results in a change of ownership, a change in control,
a merger, a consolidation, an acquisition, a change of name, a change
of address, any change that results in a location becoming a
freestanding institution, a purchase or sale, a transfer of assets, an
assignment, a change of identification number, a contract for services,
an addition or closure of one or more locations or branches or
educational programs, or any other change in whole or in part in
institutional structure or identity;
(2) Following the change described in paragraph (a)(1) of this
section, you offer an educational program at substantially the same
address at which the ineligible institution had offered an educational
program before the change; and
(3) There is a commonality of ownership or management between you
and the ineligible institution, as the ineligible institution existed
before the change.
(b) Commonality of ownership or management. For the purposes of
this section, a commonality of ownership or management exists if, at
each institution, the same person (as defined in 34 CFR 600.31) or
members of that person's family, directly or indirectly--
(1) Holds or held a managerial role; or
(2) Has or had the ability to affect substantially the
institution's actions, within the meaning of 34 CFR 600.21.
(c) Teach-outs. Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a
commonality of management does not exist if you are conducting a teach-
out under a teach-out agreement as defined in 34 CFR 602.3 and
administered in accordance with 34 CFR 602.24(c), and--
(1)(i) Within 60 days after the change described in this section,
you send us the names of the managers for each facility undergoing the
teach-out as it existed before the change and for each facility as it
exists after you believe that the commonality of management has ended;
and
(ii) We determine that the commonality of management, as described
in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, has ended; or
(2)(i) Within 30 days after you receive our notice that we have
denied your submission under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, you
make the management changes we request and send us a list of the names
of the managers for each facility undergoing the teach-out as it exists
after you make those changes; and
(ii) We determine that the commonality of management, as described
in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, has ended.
(d) Initial determination. We encourage you to contact us before
undergoing a change described in this section. If you write to us,
providing the information we request, we will provide a written initial
determination of the anticipated change's effect on your eligibility.
(e) Notice of accountability. (1) We notify you in writing if, in
response to your notice or application filed under 34 CFR 600.20 or
600.21, we determine that you are subject to a loss of eligibility,
under paragraph (a) of this section, that has been imposed against
another institution.
(2) Our notice also advises you of the scope and duration of your
loss of eligibility. The loss of eligibility applies to all of your
locations from the date you receive our notice until the expiration of
the period of ineligibility applicable to the other institution.
(3) If you are subject to a loss of eligibility under this section
that has already been imposed against another institution, you may only
request an adjustment or submit an appeal for the loss of eligibility
under the same requirements that would be applicable to the other
institution under Sec. 668.189.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.189 General requirements for adjusting official cohort
default rates and for appealing their consequences.
(a) Remaining eligible. You do not lose eligibility under
Sec. 668.187 if--
(1) We recalculate your cohort default rate, and it is below the
percentage
[[Page 65642]]
threshold for the loss of eligibility as the result of--
(i) An uncorrected data adjustment submitted under this section and
Sec. 668.190;
(ii) A new data adjustment submitted under this section and
Sec. 668.191;
(iii) An erroneous data appeal submitted under this section and
Sec. 668.192; or
(iv) A loan servicing appeal submitted under this section and
Sec. 668.193; or
(2) You meet the requirements for--
(i) An economically disadvantaged appeal submitted under this
section and Sec. 668.194;
(ii) A participation rate index appeal submitted under this section
and Sec. 668.195;
(iii) An average rates appeal submitted under this section and
Sec. 668.196; or
(iv) A thirty-or-fewer borrowers appeal submitted under this
section and Sec. 668.197.
(b) Limitations on your ability to dispute your cohort default
rate. (1) You may not dispute the calculation of a cohort default rate
except as described in this subpart.
(2) You may not request an adjustment or appeal a cohort default
rate, under Sec. 668.190, Sec. 668.191, Sec. 668.192, or Sec. 668.193,
more than once.
(3) You may not request an adjustment or appeal a cohort default
rate, under Sec. 668.190, Sec. 668.191, Sec. 668.192, or Sec. 668.193,
if you previously lost your eligibility to participate in a Title IV,
HEA program, under Sec. 668.187, based entirely or partially on that
cohort default rate.
(c) Content and format of requests for adjustments and appeals. We
may deny your request for adjustment or appeal if it does not meet the
following requirements:
(1) All appeals, notices, requests, independent auditor's opinions,
management's written assertions, and other correspondence that you are
required to send under this subpart must be complete, timely, accurate,
and in a format acceptable to us. This acceptable format is described
in the ``Cohort Default Rate Guide'' that we provide to you.
(2) Your completed request for adjustment or appeal must include--
(i) All of the information necessary to substantiate your request
for adjustment or appeal; and
(ii) A certification by your chief executive officer, under penalty
of perjury, that all the information you provide is true and correct.
(d) Our copies of your correspondence. Whenever you are required by
this subpart to correspond with a party other than us, you must send us
a copy of your correspondence within the same time deadlines. However,
you are not required to send us copies of documents that you received
from us originally.
(e) Requirements for data managers' responses. (1) Except as
otherwise provided in this subpart, if this subpart requires a data
manager to correspond with any party other than us, the data manager
must send us a copy of the correspondence within the same time
deadlines.
(2) If a data manager sends us correspondence under this subpart
that is not in a format acceptable to us, we may require the data
manager to revise that correspondence's format, and we may prescribe a
format for that data manager's subsequent correspondence with us.
(f) Our decision on your request for adjustment or appeal. (1) We
determine whether your request for an adjustment or appeal is in
compliance with this subpart.
(2) In making our decision for an adjustment, under Sec. 668.190 or
Sec. 668.191, or an appeal, under Sec. 668.192 or Sec. 668.193--
(i) We presume that the information provided to you by a data
manager is correct unless you provide substantial evidence that shows
the information is not correct; and
(ii) If we determine that a data manager did not provide the
necessary clarifying information or legible records in meeting the
requirements of this subpart, we presume that the evidence that you
provide to us is correct unless it is contradicted or otherwise proven
to be incorrect by information we maintain.
(3) Our decision is based on the materials you submit under this
subpart. We do not provide an oral hearing.
(4) We notify you of our decision--
(i) If you request an adjustment or appeal because you are subject
to a loss of eligibility under Sec. 668.187, within 45 days after we
receive your completed request for an adjustment or appeal; or
(ii) In all other cases, except for appeals submitted under
Sec. 668.192(a) to avoid provisional certification, before we notify
you of your next official cohort default rate.
(5) You may not seek judicial review of our determination of a
cohort default rate until we issue our decision on all pending requests
for adjustments or appeals for that cohort default rate.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.190 Uncorrected data adjustments.
(a) Eligibility. You may request an uncorrected data adjustment for
your most recent cohort of borrowers, used to calculate your most
recent official cohort default rate, if in response to your challenge
under Sec. 668.185(b), a data manager agreed correctly to change the
data, but the changes are not reflected in your official cohort default
rate.
(b) Deadlines for requesting an uncorrected data adjustment. (1) If
the loan record detail report was not included with your official
cohort default rate notice, you must request it within 15 days after
you receive the notice of your official cohort default rate.
(2) You must send us a request for an uncorrected data adjustment,
including all supporting documentation, within 30 days after you
receive your loan record detail report from us.
(c) Determination. We recalculate your cohort default rate, based
on the corrected data, if we determine that--
(1) In response to your challenge under Sec. 668.185(b), a data
manager agreed to change the data;
(2) The changes described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section are
not reflected in your official cohort default rate; and
(3) We agree that the data are incorrect.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.191 New data adjustments.
(a) Eligibility. You may request a new data adjustment for your
most recent cohort of borrowers, used to calculate your most recent
official cohort default rate, if--
(1) A comparison of the loan record detail reports that we provide
to you for the draft and official cohort default rates shows that the
data have been newly included, excluded, or otherwise changed; and
(2) You identify errors in the data described in paragraph (a)(1)
of this section that are confirmed by the data manager.
(b) Deadlines for requesting a new data adjustment. (1) If the loan
record detail report was not included with your official cohort default
rate notice, you must request it within 15 days after you receive the
notice of your official cohort default rate.
(2) You must send the relevant data manager, or data managers, and
us a request for a new data adjustment,
[[Page 65643]]
including all supporting documentation, within 15 days after you
receive your loan record detail report from us.
(3) Within 20 days after receiving your request for a new data
adjustment, the data manager must send you and us a response that--
(i) Addresses each of your allegations of error; and
(ii) Includes the documentation used to support the data manager's
position.
(4) Within 15 days after receiving a guaranty agency's notice that
we hold an FFELP loan about which you are inquiring, you must send us
your request for a new data adjustment for that loan. We respond to
your request under paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
(5) Within 15 days after receiving incomplete or illegible records
or data from a data manager, you must send a request for replacement
records or clarification of data to the data manager and us.
(6) Within 20 days after receiving your request for replacement
records or clarification of data, the data manager must--
(i) Replace the missing or illegible records;
(ii) Provide clarifying information; or
(iii) Notify you and us that no clarifying information or
additional or improved records are available.
(7) You must send us your completed request for a new data
adjustment, including all supporting documentation--
(i) Within 30 days after you receive the final data manager's
response to your request or requests; or
(ii) If you are also filing an erroneous data appeal or a loan
servicing appeal, by the latest of the filing dates required in
paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this section or in Sec. 668.192(b)(6)(i) or
Sec. 668.193(c)(10)(i).
(c) Determination. If we determine that incorrect data were used to
calculate your cohort default rate, we recalculate your cohort default
rate based on the correct data.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.192 Erroneous data appeals.
(a) Eligibility. Except as provided in Sec. 668.189(b), you may
appeal the calculation of a cohort default rate upon which a loss of
eligibility, under Sec. 668.187, or provisional certification, under
Sec. 668.16(m), is based if--
(1) You dispute the accuracy of data that you previously challenged
on the basis of incorrect data, under Sec. 668.185(b); or
(2) A comparison of the loan record detail reports that we provide
to you for the draft and official cohort default rates shows that the
data have been newly included, excluded, or otherwise changed, and you
dispute the accuracy of that data.
(b) Deadlines for submitting an appeal. (1) You must send a request
for verification of data errors to the relevant data manager, or data
managers, and to us within 15 days after you receive the notice of your
loss of eligibility or provisional certification. Your request must
include a description of the information in the cohort default rate
data that you believe is incorrect and all supporting documentation
that demonstrates the error.
(2) Within 20 days after receiving your request for verification of
data errors, the data manager must send you and us a response that--
(i) Addresses each of your allegations of error; and
(ii) Includes the documentation used to support the data manager's
position.
(3) Within 15 days after receiving a guaranty agency's notice that
we hold an FFELP loan about which you are inquiring, you must send us
your request for verification of that loan's data errors. Your request
must include a description of the information in the cohort default
rate data that you believe is incorrect and all supporting
documentation that demonstrates the error. We respond to your request
under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(4) Within 15 days after receiving incomplete or illegible records
or data, you must send a request for replacement records or
clarification of data to the data manager and us.
(5) Within 20 days after receiving your request for replacement
records or clarification of data, the data manager must--
(i) Replace the missing or illegible records;
(ii) Provide clarifying information; or
(iii) Notify you and us that no clarifying information or
additional or improved records are available.
(6) You must send your completed appeal to us, including all
supporting documentation--
(i) Within 30 days after you receive the final data manager's
response to your request; or
(ii) If you are also requesting a new data adjustment or filing a
loan servicing appeal, by the latest of the filing dates required in
paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this section or in Sec. 668.191(b)(7)(i) or
Sec. 668.193(c)(10)(i).
(c) Determination. If we determine that incorrect data were used to
calculate your cohort default rate, we recalculate your cohort default
rate based on the correct data.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.193 Loan servicing appeals.
(a) Eligibility. Except as provided in Sec. 668.189(b), you may
appeal, on the basis of improper loan servicing or collection, the
calculation of--
(1) Your most recent cohort default rate; or
(2) Any cohort default rate upon which a loss of eligibility under
Sec. 668.187 is based.
(b) Improper loan servicing. For the purposes of this section, a
default is considered to have been due to improper loan servicing or
collection only if the borrower did not make a payment on the loan and
you prove that the FFEL Program lender or the Direct Loan Servicer, as
defined in 34 CFR 685.102, failed to perform one or more of the
following activities, if that activity applies to the loan:
(1) Send at least one letter (other than the final demand letter)
urging the borrower to make payments on the loan;
(2) Attempt at least one phone call to the borrower;
(3) Send a final demand letter to the borrower;
(4) For a Direct Loan Program loan only, document that skip tracing
was performed if the Direct Loan Servicer determined that it did not
have the borrower's current address; and
(5) For an FFELP loan only--
(i) Submit a request for preclaims or default aversion assistance
to the guaranty agency; and
(ii) Submit a certification or other documentation that skip
tracing was performed to the guaranty agency.
(c) Deadlines for submitting an appeal. (1) If the loan record
detail report was not included with your official cohort default rate
notice, you must request it within 15 days after you receive the notice
of your official cohort default rate.
(2) You must send a request for loan servicing records to the
relevant data manager, or data managers, and to us within 15 days after
you receive your loan record detail report from us. If the data manager
is a guaranty agency, your request must include a copy of the loan
record detail report.
(3) Within 20 days after receiving your request for loan servicing
records, the data manager must--
(i) Send you and us a list of the borrowers in your representative
[[Page 65644]]
sample, as described in paragraph (d) of this section (the list must be
in social security number order, and it must include the number of
defaulted loans included in the cohort for each listed borrower);
(ii) Send you and us a description of how your representative
sample was chosen; and
(iii) Either send you copies of the loan servicing records for the
borrowers in your representative sample and send us a copy of its cover
letter indicating that the records were sent, or send you and us a
notice of the amount of its fee for providing copies of the loan
servicing records.
(4) The data manager may charge you a reasonable fee for providing
copies of loan servicing records, but it may not charge more than $10
per borrower file. If a data manager charges a fee, it is not required
to send the documents to you until it receives your payment of the fee.
(5) If the data manager charges a fee for providing copies of loan
servicing records, you must send payment in full to the data manager
within 15 days after you receive the notice of the fee.
(6) If the data manager charges a fee for providing copies of loan
servicing records, and--
(i) You pay the fee in full and on time, the data manager must send
you, within 20 days after it receives your payment, a copy of all loan
servicing records for each loan in your representative sample (the
copies are provided to you in hard copy format unless the data manager
and you agree that another format may be used), and it must send us a
copy of its cover letter indicating that the records were sent; or
(ii) You do not pay the fee in full and on time, the data manager
must notify you and us of your failure to pay the fee and that you have
waived your right to challenge the calculation of your cohort default
rate based on the data manager's records. We accept that determination
unless you prove that it is incorrect.
(7) Within 15 days after receiving a guaranty agency's notice that
we hold an FFELP loan about which you are inquiring, you must send us
your request for the loan servicing records for that loan. We respond
to your request under paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
(8) Within 15 days after receiving incomplete or illegible records,
you must send a request for replacement records to the data manager and
us.
(9) Within 20 days after receiving your request for replacement
records, the data manager must either--
(i) Replace the missing or illegible records; or
(ii) Notify you and us that no additional or improved copies are
available.
(10) You must send your appeal to us, including all supporting
documentation--
(i) Within 30 days after you receive the final data manager's
response to your request for loan servicing records; or
(ii) If you are also requesting a new data adjustment or filing an
erroneous data appeal, by the latest of the filing dates required in
paragraph (c)(10)(i) of this section or in Sec. 668.191(b)(7)(i) or
Sec. 668.192(b)(6)(i).
(d) Representative sample of records. (1) To select a
representative sample of records, the data manager first identifies all
of the borrowers for whom it is responsible and who had loans that were
considered to be in default in the calculation of the cohort default
rate you are appealing. However, for the purposes of this paragraph,
the data manager does not identify a borrower as defaulted due to
repayment under the Direct Loan Program's income contingent repayment
plan, under Sec. 668.183(c)(1)(iii).
(2) From the group of borrowers identified under paragraph (d)(1)
of this section, the data manager identifies a sample that is large
enough to derive an estimate, acceptable at a 95 percent confidence
level with a plus or minus 5 percent confidence interval, for use in
determining the number of borrowers who should be excluded from the
calculation of the cohort default rate due to improper loan servicing
or collection.
(e) Loan servicing records. Loan servicing records are the
collection and payment history records--
(1) Provided to the guaranty agency by the lender and used by the
guaranty agency in determining whether to pay a claim on a defaulted
loan; or
(2) Maintained by our Direct Loan Servicer that are used in
determining your cohort default rate.
(f) Determination. (1) We determine the number of loans, included
in your representative sample of loan servicing records, that defaulted
due to improper loan servicing or collection, as described in paragraph
(b) of this section.
(2) Based on our determination, we use a statistically valid
methodology to exclude the corresponding percentage of borrowers from
both the numerator and denominator of the calculation of your cohort
default rate.
(3) Our recalculation of your cohort default rate does not affect
the number of borrowers who are considered to be in default due to
payments made under the Direct Loan Program's income contingent
repayment plan, under the criteria in Sec. 668.183(c)(1)(iii).
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.194 Economically disadvantaged appeals.
(a) Eligibility. As described in this section, you may appeal a
notice of a loss of eligibility under Sec. 668.187 if an independent
auditor's opinion certifies that your low income rate is two-thirds or
more and--
(1) You offer an associate, baccalaureate, graduate, or
professional degree, and your completion rate is 70 percent or more; or
(2) You do not offer an associate, baccalaureate, graduate, or
professional degree, and your placement rate is 44 percent or more.
(b) Low income rate. (1) Your low income rate is the percentage of
your students, as described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, who--
(i) For an award year that overlaps the 12-month period selected
under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, have an expected family
contribution, as defined in 34 CFR 690.2, that is equal to or less than
the largest expected family contribution that would allow a student to
receive one-half of the maximum Federal Pell Grant award, regardless of
the student's enrollment status or cost of attendance; or
(ii) For a calendar year that overlaps the 12-month period selected
under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, have an adjusted gross income
that, when added to the adjusted gross income of the student's parents
(if the student is a dependent student) or spouse (if the student is a
married independent student), is less than the amount listed in the
Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines for the size
of the student's family unit.
(2) The students who are used to determine your low income rate
include only students who were enrolled on at least a half-time basis
in an eligible program at your institution during any part of a 12-
month period that ended during the 6 months immediately preceding the
cohort's fiscal year.
(c) Completion rate. (1) Your completion rate is the percentage of
your students, as described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, who--
(i) Completed the educational programs in which they were enrolled;
(ii) Transferred from your institution to a higher level
educational program;
[[Page 65645]]
(iii) Remained enrolled and are making satisfactory progress toward
completion of their educational programs at the end of the same 12-
month period used to calculate the low income rate; or
(iv) Entered active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States
within 1 year after their last date of attendance at your institution.
(2) The students who are used to determine your completion rate
include only regular students who were--
(i) Initially enrolled on a full-time basis in an eligible program;
and
(ii) Originally scheduled to complete their programs during the
same 12-month period used to calculate the low income rate.
(d) Placement rate. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of
this section, your placement rate is the percentage of your students,
as described in paragraphs (d)(3) and (d)(4) of this section, who--
(i) Are employed, in an occupation for which you provided training,
on the date following 1 year after their last date of attendance at
your institution;
(ii) Were employed for at least 13 weeks, in an occupation for
which you provided training, between the date they enrolled at your
institution and the first date that is more than a year after their
last date of attendance at your institution; or
(iii) Entered active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States
within 1 year after their last date of attendance at your institution.
(2) For the purposes of this section, a former student is not
considered to have been employed based on any employment by your
institution.
(3) The students who are used to determine your placement rate
include only former students who--
(i) Were initially enrolled in an eligible program on at least a
half-time basis;
(ii) Were originally scheduled, at the time of enrollment, to
complete their educational programs during the same 12-month period
used to calculate the low income rate; and
(iii) Remained in the program beyond the point at which a student
would have received a 100 percent tuition refund from you.
(4) A student is not included in the calculation of your placement
rate if that student, on the date that is 1 year after the student's
originally scheduled completion date, remains enrolled in the same
program and is making satisfactory progress.
(e) Scheduled to complete. In calculating a completion or placement
rate under this section, the date on which a student is originally
scheduled to complete a program is based on--
(1) For a student who is initially enrolled full-time, the amount
of time specified in your enrollment contract, catalog, or other
materials for completion of the program by a full-time student; or
(2) For a student who is initially enrolled less than full-time,
the amount of time that it would take the student to complete the
program if the student remained at that level of enrollment throughout
the program.
(f) Deadline for submitting an appeal. (1) Within 30 days after you
receive the notice of your loss of eligibility, you must send us your
management's written assertion, as described in the Cohort Default Rate
Guide.
(2) Within 60 days after you receive the notice of your loss of
eligibility, you must send us the independent auditor's opinion
described in paragraph (g) of this section.
(g) Independent auditor's opinion. (1) The independent auditor's
opinion must state whether your management's written assertion, as you
provided it to the auditor and to us, meets the requirements for an
economically disadvantaged appeal and is fairly stated in all material
respects.
(2) The engagement that forms the basis of the independent
auditor's opinion must be an examination-level compliance attestation
engagement performed in accordance with--
(i) The American Institute of Certified Public Accountant's (AICPA)
Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements, Compliance
Attestation (AICPA, Professional Standards, vol. 1, AT sec. 500), as
amended (these standards may be obtained by calling the AICPA's order
department, at 1-888-777-7077); and
(ii) Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller
General of the United States.
(h) Determination. You do not lose eligibility under Sec. 668.187
if--
(1) Your independent auditor's opinion agrees that you meet the
requirements for an economically disadvantaged appeal; and
(2) We determine that the independent auditor's opinion and your
management's written assertion--
(i) Meet the requirements for an economically disadvantaged appeal;
and
(ii) Are not contradicted or otherwise proven to be incorrect by
information we maintain, to an extent that would render the independent
auditor's opinion unacceptable.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.195 Participation rate index appeals.
(a) Eligibility. (1) You may appeal a notice of a loss of
eligibility under Sec. 668.187(a)(1), based on one cohort default rate
over 40 percent, if your participation rate index for that cohort's
fiscal year is equal to or less than 0.06015.
(2) You may appeal a notice of a loss of eligibility under
Sec. 668.187(a)(2), based on three cohort default rates of 25 percent
or greater, if your participation rate index is equal to or less than
0.0375 for any of those three cohorts' fiscal years.
(b) Calculating your participation rate index. (1) Except as
provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, your participation rate
index for a fiscal year is determined by multiplying your cohort
default rate for that fiscal year by the percentage that is derived by
dividing--
(i) The number of students who received an FFELP or a Direct Loan
Program loan to attend your institution during a period of enrollment,
as defined in 34 CFR 682.200 or 685.102, that overlaps any part of a
12-month period that ended during the 6 months immediately preceding
the cohort's fiscal year, by
(ii) The number of regular students who were enrolled at your
institution on at least a half-time basis during any part of the same
12-month period.
(2) If your cohort default rate for a fiscal year is calculated as
an average rate under Sec. 668.183(d)(2), you may calculate your
participation rate index for that fiscal year using either that average
rate or the cohort default rate that would be calculated for the fiscal
year alone using the method described in Sec. 668.183(d)(1).
(c) Deadline for submitting an appeal. You must send us your appeal
under this section, including all supporting documentation, within 30
days after you receive the notice of your loss of eligibility.
(d) Determination. (1) You do not lose eligibility under
Sec. 668.187 if we determine that you meet the requirements for a
participation rate index appeal.
(2) If we determine that your participation rate index for a fiscal
year is equal to or less than 0.0375, under paragraph (d)(1) of this
section, we also excuse you from any subsequent loss of eligibility
under Sec. 668.187(a)(2) that would be based on the official cohort
default rate for that fiscal year.
[[Page 65646]]
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.196 Average rates appeals.
(a) Eligibility. (1) You may appeal a notice of a loss of
eligibility under Sec. 668.187(a)(1), based on one cohort default rate
over 40 percent, if that cohort default rate is calculated as an
average rate under Sec. 668.183(d)(2).
(2) You may appeal a notice of a loss of eligibility under
Sec. 668.187(a)(2), based on three cohort default rates of 25 percent
or greater, if at least two of those cohort default rates--
(i) Are calculated as average rates under Sec. 668.183(d)(2); and
(ii) Would be less than 25 percent if calculated for the fiscal
year alone using the method described in Sec. 668.183(d)(1).
(b) Deadline for submitting an appeal. (1) Before notifying you of
your official cohort default rate, we make an initial determination
about whether you qualify for an average rates appeal. If we determine
that you qualify, we notify you of that determination at the same time
that we notify you of your official cohort default rate.
(2) If you disagree with our initial determination, you must send
us your average rates appeal, including all supporting documentation,
within 30 days after you receive the notice of your loss of
eligibility.
(c) Determination. You do not lose eligibility under Sec. 668.187
if we determine that you meet the requirements for an average rates
appeal.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.197 Thirty-or-fewer borrowers appeals.
(a) Eligibility. You may appeal a notice of a loss of eligibility
under Sec. 668.187 if 30 or fewer borrowers, in total, are included in
the 3 most recent cohorts of borrowers used to calculate your cohort
default rates.
(b) Deadline for submitting an appeal. (1) Before notifying you of
your official cohort default rate, we make an initial determination
about whether you qualify for a thirty-or-fewer borrowers appeal. If we
determine that you qualify, we notify you of that determination at the
same time that we notify you of your official cohort default rate.
(2) If you disagree with our initial determination, you must send
us your thirty-or-fewer borrowers appeal, including all supporting
documentation, within 30 days after you receive the notice of your loss
of eligibility.
(c) Determination. You do not lose eligibility under Sec. 668.187
if we determine that you meet the requirements for a thirty-or-fewer
borrowers appeal.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Sec. 668.198 Relief from the consequences of cohort default rates for
special institutions.
(a) Eligibility. You are only eligible for relief from the
consequences of cohort default rates under this section if you are a--
(1) Historically black college or university as defined in section
322(2) of the HEA;
(2) Tribally controlled community college as defined in section
2(a)(4) of the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of
1978; or
(3) Navajo community college under the Navajo Community College
Act.
(b) Applicability of requirements. We may determine that the loss
of eligibility provisions in Sec. 668.187 and the prohibition against
full certification in Sec. 668.16(m) do not apply to you for each 1-
year period beginning on July 1 of 1999, 2000, or 2001, if you meet the
requirements in paragraph (a) of this section and you send us--
(1) By July 1 of the first 1-year period that begins after you
receive our notice of a loss of eligibility under Sec. 668.187--
(i) A default management plan; and
(ii) A certification that you have engaged an independent third
party, as described in this section; and
(2) By July 1 of each subsequent 1-year period--
(i) Evidence that you have implemented your default management plan
during the preceding 1-year period;
(ii) Evidence that you have made substantial improvement in the
preceding 1-year period in your cohort default rate; and
(iii) A certification that you continue to engage an independent
third party, as described in this section.
(c) Default management plan. (1) Your default management plan must
provide reasonable assurance that you will, no later than July 1, 2002,
have a cohort default rate that is less than 25 percent. Measures that
you must take to provide this assurance include but are not limited
to--
(i) Establishing a default management team by engaging your chief
executive officer and relevant senior executive officials and enlisting
the support of representatives from offices other than the financial
aid office;
(ii) Identifying and allocating the personnel, administrative, and
financial resources appropriate to implement the default management
plan;
(iii) Defining the roles and responsibilities of the independent
third party;
(iv) Defining evaluation methods and establishing a data collection
system for measuring and verifying relevant default management
statistics, including a statistical analysis of the borrowers who
default on their loans;
(v) Establishing annual targets for reductions in your cohort
default rate; and
(vi) Establishing a process to ensure the accuracy of your cohort
default rate.
(2) We will determine whether your default management plan is
acceptable, after considering your history, resources, dollars in
default, and targets for default reduction in making this
determination.
(3) If we determine that your proposed default management plan is
unacceptable, you must consult with us to develop a revised plan and
submit the revised plan to us within 30 days after you receive our
notice that your proposed plan is unacceptable.
(4) If we determine, based on the evidence you submit under
paragraph (b)(2) of this section, that your default management plan is
no longer acceptable, you must develop a revised plan in consultation
with us and submit the revised plan to us within 60 days after you
receive our notice that your plan is no longer acceptable.
(5) A sample default management plan is provided in appendix B to
this subpart. The sample is included to illustrate components of an
acceptable default management plan. Since institutions' family income
profiles, student borrowing patterns, histories, resources, dollars in
default, and targets for default reduction are different, you must
consider your own, individual circumstances in developing and
submitting your plan.
(d) Independent third party. (1) An independent third party may be
any individual or entity that--
(i) Provides technical assistance in developing and implementing
your default management plan; and
(ii) Is not substantially controlled by a person who also exercises
substantial control over your institution.
(2) An independent third party need not be paid by you for its
services.
(3) The services of a lender, guaranty agency, or secondary market
as an independent third party under this
[[Page 65647]]
section are not considered to be inducements under 34 CFR 682.200 or
682.401(e).
(e) Substantial improvement. (1) For the purposes of this section,
your substantial improvement is determined based on--
(i) A reduction in your most recent draft or official cohort
default rate;
(ii) An increase in the percentage of delinquent borrowers who
avoid default by using deferments, forbearances, and job placement
assistance;
(iii) An increase in the academic persistence of student borrowers;
(iv) An increase in the percentage of students pursuing graduate or
professional study;
(v) An increase in the percentage of borrowers for whom a current
address is known;
(vi) An increase in the percentage of delinquent borrowers that you
contacted;
(vii) The implementation of alternative financial aid award
policies and development of financial resources that reduce the need
for student borrowing; or (viii) An increase in the percentage of
accurate and timely enrollment status changes that you submitted to the
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) on the Student Status
Confirmation Report (SSCR).
(2) When making a determination of your substantial improvement, we
consider your performance in light of--
(i) Your history, resources, dollars in default, and targets for
default reduction;
(ii) Your level of effort in meeting the terms of your approved
default management plan during the previous 1-year period; and
(iii) Any other mitigating circumstance at your institution during
the 1-year period.
(f) Determination. (1) If we determine that you are in compliance
with this section, the provisions of Secs. 668.187 and 668.16(m) do not
apply to you for that 1-year period, beginning on July 1 of 1999, 2000,
or 2001.
(2) If we determine that you are not in compliance with this
section, you are subject to the provisions of Secs. 668.187 and
668.16(m). You lose your eligibility to participate in the FFEL, Direct
Loan, and Federal Pell Grant programs on the date you receive our
notice of the determination.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1845-0022)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c)
Appendix A to Subpart M of Part 668--Summaries of Eligibility and
Submission Requirements for Challenges, Adjustments, and Appeals
I. Summary of Submission Eligibility
Some types of appeals may be submitted only if you are subject
to a loss of eligibility under Sec. 668.187 or to provisional
certification under Sec. 668.16(m). These types of appeals are
identified in the following table. Submission deadlines are
described in the paragraphs and sections that are cited in the
table. For example, although you may submit an uncorrected data
adjustment, new data adjustment, or loan servicing appeal if you are
subject to provisional certification, the deadlines for those
submissions are based on the date you receive your cohort default
rate, not the date you receive the notice of your provisional
certification.
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II. Summary of Submission Deadlines
1. General. The deadlines you must meet when submitting a
challenge, a request for adjustment, or an appeal are summarized in
the following table. The full, official requirements for these
deadlines are in Sec. 668.189 and in the sections and paragraphs
cited in the table.
2. Timeframes. The timeframes provided in the table (``30
Days'', ``15 Days'', etc.) identify the number of calendar days
within which that action must be performed. Timeframes begin on the
date that the previous action (connected to that timeframe with an
arrowed line) is completed:
(i) For your first action (and for both actions, during an
economically disadvantaged appeal), the timeframe begins on the date
that you receive your draft cohort default rate, official cohort
default rate, notice of loss of eligibility, or notice of
provisional certification.
(ii) For all other actions, the timeframe begins on the date you
receive the response to your pending request. If you are waiting for
responses from more than one data manager, the timeframe begins on
the date that you receive the final response from the last data
manager.
3. Dotted borders. Some actions identified in the table are
required only in certain circumstances. For example, if we don't
send you a loan record detail report, because your cohort default
rate is less than 10 percent, you must request one before you can
request an adjustment or appeal. Timeframes for
[[Page 65648]]
actions that aren't always required are identified in the table by
dotted borders:
(i) If you are required to perform that action, the timeframes
begin on the same dates that they would if the timeframe borders
were not dotted.
(ii) If you are not required to perform that action, the
timeframe for your next required action is determined as if the
timeframes with the dotted borders were not there. The timeframe for
your next required action begins on the date that the last required
action was completed.
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[[Page 65650]]
Appendix B to Subpart M of Part 668--Sample Default Management Plan
for Special Institutions To Use When Complying With Sec. 668.198
This appendix is provided as a sample plan for those
institutions developing a default management plan in accordance with
Sec. 668.198. It describes some measures you may find helpful in
reducing the number of students that default on federally funded
loans. These are not the only measures you could implement when
developing a default management plan. In developing a default
management plan, you must consider your history, resources, dollars
in default, and targets for default reduction to determine which
activities will result in the most benefit to your students and to
you.
I. Core Default Reduction Strategies (From Sec. 668.198(c)(1))
1. Establish a default management team by engaging your chief
executive officer and relevant senior executive officials and
enlisting the support of representatives from offices other than the
financial aid office.
2. Identify and allocate the personnel, administrative, and
financial resources appropriate to implement the default management
plan.
3. Define the roles and responsibilities of the independent
third party.
4. Define evaluation methods and establish a data collection
system for measuring and verifying relevant default management
statistics, including a statistical analysis of the borrowers who
default on their loans.
5. Establish annual targets for reductions in your rate.
6. Establish a process to ensure the accuracy of your rate.
II. Additional Default Reduction Strategies
1. Enhance the borrower's understanding of his or her loan
repayment responsibilities through counseling and debt management
activities.
2. Enhance the enrollment retention and academic persistence of
borrowers through counseling and academic assistance.
3. Maintain contact with the borrower after he or she leaves
your institution by using activities such as skip tracing to locate
the borrower.
4. Track the borrower's delinquency status by obtaining reports
from data managers and FFEL Program lenders.
5. Enhance student loan repayments through counseling the
borrower on loan repayment options and facilitating contact between
the borrower and the data manager or FFEL Program lender.
6. Assist a borrower who is experiencing difficulty in finding
employment through career counseling, job placement assistance, and
facilitating unemployment deferments.
7. Identify and implement alternative financial aid award
policies and develop alternative financial resources that will
reduce the need for student borrowing in the first 2 years of
academic study.
8. Familiarize the parent, or other adult relative or guardian,
with the student's debt profile, repayment obligations, and loan
status by increasing, whenever possible, the communication and
contact with the parent or adult relative or guardian.
III. Defining the Roles and Responsibilities of Independent Third
Party
1. Specifically define the role of the independent third party.
2. Specify the scope of work to be performed by the independent
third party.
3. Tie the receipt of payments, if required, to the performance
of specific tasks.
4. Assure that all the required work is satisfactorily
completed.
IV. Statistics for Measuring Progress
1. The number of students enrolled at your institution during
each fiscal year.
2. The average amount borrowed by a student each fiscal year.
3. The number of borrowers scheduled to enter repayment each
fiscal year.
4. The number of enrolled borrowers who received default
prevention counseling services each fiscal year.
5. The average number of contacts that you or your agent had
with a borrower who was in deferment or forbearance or in repayment
status during each fiscal year.
6. The number of borrowers at least 60 days delinquent each
fiscal year.
7. The number of borrowers who defaulted in each fiscal year.
8. The type, frequency, and results of activities performed in
accordance with the default management plan.
Appendix A to Part 668 [Removed]
13. Appendix A to Part 668 is removed.
Appendix B to Part 668 [Redesignated as Appendix A to Subpart B of
Part 668]
14. Appendix B to Part 668 is redesignated as Appendix A to Subpart
B of Part 668.
Appendix C to Part 668 [Redesignated as Appendix A to Subpart B of
Part 668]
15. Appendix C to Part 668 is redesignated as Appendix B to Subpart
B of Part 668.
Appendix D to Part 668 [Removed]
16. Appendix D to Part 668 is removed.
Appendix E to Part 668 [Redesignated as Appendix A to Subpart D of
Part 668]
17. Appendix E to Part 668 is redesignated as Appendix A to Subpart
D of Part 668.
Appendix F to Part 668 [Redesignated as Appendix A to Subpart L of
Part 668]
18. Appendix F to Part 668 is redesignated as Appendix A to Subpart
L of Part 668.
Appendix G to Part 668 [Redesignated as Appendix B to Subpart L of
Part 668]
19. Appendix G to Part 668 is redesignated as Appendix B to Subpart
L of Part 668.
Appendix H to Part 668 [Removed]
20. Appendix H to Part 668 is removed.
PART 682--FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION LOAN (FFEL) PROGRAM
21. The authority citation for Part 682 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1071 to 1087-2, unless otherwise noted.
22. In Sec. 682.401, paragraph (b)(15) is revised to read as
follows:
Sec. 682.401 Basic program agreement.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(15) Guaranty agency verification of default data. A guaranty
agency must meet the requirements and deadlines provided for it in
subpart M of 34 CFR part 668 for the cohort default rate process.
* * * * *
23. In Sec. 682.410, paragraph (c)(1)(i)(C) is revised to read as
follows:
Sec. 682.410 Fiscal, administrative, and enforcement requirements.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * *
(C) Each participating school, located in a State for which the
guaranty agency is the principal guaranty agency, that has a cohort
default rate, as described in subpart M of 34 CFR part 668, for either
of the 2 immediately preceding fiscal years, as defined in 34 CFR
668.182, that exceeds 20 percent, unless the school is under a mandate
from the Secretary under subpart M of 34 CFR part 668 to take specific
default reduction measures or if the total dollar amount of loans
entering repayment in each fiscal year on which the cohort default rate
over 20 percent is based does not exceed $100,000; or
* * * * *
Sec. 682.601 [Amended]
24. In Sec. 682.601, paragraph (a)(6) is amended by removing
``Sec. 668.17'' and adding, in its place, ``subpart M of 34 CFR part
668''.
Sec. 682.603 [Amended]
25. In Sec. 682.603, paragraph (g) is amended by removing ``an FFEL
cohort default rate, Direct Loan cohort rate, or weighted average
cohort rate'' and
[[Page 65651]]
adding, in its place, ``a cohort default rate''.
Sec. 682.604 [Amended]
26. Section 682.604 is amended--
A. In paragraphs (c)(5)(i), (c)(5)(ii), (c)(10)(i)(B), and
(c)(10)(ii), by removing ``an FFEL cohort default rate, Direct Loan
Program cohort rate, or weighted average cohort rate'' and adding, in
its place, ``a cohort default rate, calculated under subpart M of 34
CFR part 668,''.
B. By removing paragraph (f)(3).
C. By redesignating paragraphs (f)(4) and (f)(5) as paragraphs
(f)(3) and (f)(4), respectively.
D. By removing paragraph (g)(3).
E. By redesignating paragraphs (g)(4) and (g)(5) as paragraphs
(g)(3) and (g)(4), respectively.
PART 685--WILLIAM D. FORD FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM
27. The authority citation for Part 685 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq., unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 685.301 [Amended]
28. Section 685.301 is amended--
A. In paragraphs (b)(8)(i)(A)(2) and (b)(8)(i)(B), by removing ``a
Direct Loan Program cohort rate, FFEL cohort default rate, or weighted
average cohort rate'' and adding, in its place, ``a cohort default
rate, calculated under subpart M of 34 CFR part 668,''.
B. In paragraph (b)(8)(ii), by removing ``an FFEL cohort default
rate, Direct Loan cohort rate, or weighted average cohort rate'' and
adding, in its place, ``a cohort default rate, calculated under subpart
M of 34 CFR part 668,''.
Sec. 865.303 [Amended]
29. Section 685.303 is amended--
A. In paragraphs (b)(4)(i)(A) and (b)(4)(i)(B), by removing ``a
Direct Loan Program cohort rate, FFEL cohort default rate, or weighted
average cohort rate'' and adding, in its place, ``a cohort default
rate, calculated under subpart M of 34 CFR part 668,''.
B. In paragraph (b)(4)(ii), by removing ``an FFEL cohort default
rate, Direct Loan cohort rate, or weighted average cohort rate'', and
adding, in its place, ``a cohort default rate, calculated under subpart
M of 34 CFR part 668,''.
Sec. 685.304 [Amended]
30. Section 685.304 is amended--
A. By removing paragraph (a)(4).
B. By redesignating paragraphs (a)(5), (a)(6), and (a)(7) as
paragraphs (a)(4), (a)(5), and (a)(6), respectively.
C. By removing paragraph (b)(5).
D. By redesignating paragraphs (b)(6) and (b)(7) as paragraphs
(b)(5) and (b)(6), respectively.
PART 690--FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM
31. The authority citation for Part 690 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 690.7 [Amended]
32. Section 690.7 is amended--
A. In paragraph (c)(1), by removing ``34 CFR 668.17'' and adding,
in its place, ``subpart M of 34 CFR part 668''.
B. In paragraph (c)(2), by removing ``34 CFR 668.17(b)'' and
adding, in its place, ``34 CFR 668.187''.
[FR Doc. 00-27741 Filed 10-31-00; 8:45 am]
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