DCLPublicationDate: 12/1/96 DCLID: ANN-96-8 AwardYear: Summary: This letter announces the 1997-98 Title IV Training to be conducted in early 1997, lists the sites and dates for the workshops, and explains registration procedures. December 1996 ANN-96-8 SUMMARY: This letter announces the 1997-98 Title IV Training to be conducted in early 1997, lists the sites and dates for the workshops, and explains registration procedures. Dear Colleague: We are pleased to announce a series of nationwide workshops sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) Student Financial Assistance Programs (SFAP). The Title IV Training will take place between February and April 1997. WORKSHOP CONTENT Please review the daily outlines below to determine which day you want to attend or whether you want to attend both days. DAY ONE - UPDATE Day One will consist of new Title IV regulatory and policy information of interest to any participating postsecondary institution. NEW INFORMATION ON: ° December 1 Cash Management/Project EASI Regulation Required use of ED electronic processes; standardized definition of payment period; cash management rules for requesting, maintaining and disbursing Title IV funds, including notices and authorizations ° December 1 Financial Responsibility Regulation Changes to requirements for annual audit report and financial statements; brief discussion of regulatory standards for determining financial responsibility ° December 1 Record Retention Regulation Which records must be retained for how long; acceptable formats for record retention UPDATES ON: ° The Higher Education Act Reauthorization Process Description of how SFAP will develop recommendations ° Recertification of Participating Title IV Schools Status report; frequently asked questions ° Effects of New Appropriations Legislation Impact of increased Federal Pell and Federal Work Study appropriations DAY TWO - SKILLS IMPROVEMENT Day Two will consist of topics that prior-year audiences have identified as needing continued review and discussion. The sessions on this day will be aimed at individuals with a basic understanding of the topics listed below, and are not intended to introduce the neophyte to these areas. Financial aid office staff responsible for the functions listed would most benefit from this day's information. These sessions will offer a great deal of hands-on activity, such as completion of case studies. ° Verification Requirements and processes for verifying applicant data ° Refund and Repayment Calculations Requirements and processes for calculating Title IV refunds and repayments ° Pell Calculations Requirements and processes for calculating Federal Pell Grant awards, including treatment of summer terms and transfer students ° Loan Maximums and Proration Requirements and processes for prorating Direct Loan and FFEL annual loan limits; determining borrower eligibility for maximum loan limits You should bring a calculator for performing the case studies and a three-ring binder for the Trainee Guide. The Guide will be distributed at the workshop. DATES AND LOCATIONS OF WORKSHOPS A list of workshop sites and dates is attached. The workshops will begin each day at 9:00 a.m. and end at approximately 4:00 p.m. Training teams will be comprised of one ED trainer and one practicing financial aid administrator. HOW TO REGISTER We are introducing a new phone-in registration system for this workshop series. PLEASE CALL 1-800-341-5682 TO REGISTER. The system will operate 24 hours a day. A series of menus and prompts will allow you to register for the workshop you want to attend. The system will ask for the code number for the desired workshop (listed on the attached schedule) as well as your telephone and FAX numbers. If space is available, you will then be told that you are confirmed in that workshop. You will only receive verbal confirmation from the system - no paper confirmation will be sent to you. If the workshop is filled, you will have the option of being placed on a wait list. If you choose this option, you should call the toll-free number periodically to see if your status has been changed to "confirmed." PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ANY NON- REFUNDABLE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS UNTIL YOUR STATUS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED. If, after registering for a workshop, you need to cancel or choose a different site, please call the toll-free number. As with your initial registration, menu prompts will take you through this process. Because seating is limited, please make any changes as soon as possible. If you are unable to access the system for some reason, please call (202)205-2667 for assistance. Title IV Training is FREE; however participants should arrange and pay for their own transportation, meals, and lodging. ED cannot provide refreshments during the training; however a host institution may do so at its discretion. Please remember that no food or drink is permitted in the ED Regional Training Facilities. If you have questions about the content of the training, call the NASFAA Training Project staff at (202)785-0453. Questions regarding an individual training site should be directed to that site. On behalf of the Student Financial Assistance Programs we wish to thank the institutions that are making their facilities available for this training series. We look forward to your participation in the Title IV Training. Sincerely, Elizabeth M. Hicks Deputy Assistant Secretary Student Financial Assistance The Training Schedule enclosure is not available for viewing on the BBS, but may be downloaded for viewing/printing using commercial word processing software. If you are unable to download the attached file, please call the Student Financial Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 and request a copy of the paper document. |