| DCLPublicationDate: 5/1/99 DCLID: ANN-99-4 AwardYear: Summary: This letter describes a nationwide series of Fiscal Officer Training (FOT) workshops, provides the agenda, sites and dates for the workshops; explains the registration procedures; and provides logistical information for these workshops. May 1999 ANN-99-4 SUMMARY: This letter describes a nationwide series of Fiscal Officer Training (FOT) workshops, provides the agenda, sites and dates for the workshops; explains the registration procedures; and provides logistical information for these workshops. Dear Colleague: We are pleased to announce an upcoming series of Fiscal Officer Training workshops. These two-day workshops will focus on accounting, record keeping, and reporting elements that schools need to know in order to administer the Title IV student financial aid programs. 1. What will we cover at the workshops? The training will cover: · the new Recipient Financial Management System (RFMS) · Accounting Procedures · Applying for Federal Funds with the FISAP · Grants Administration and Payments System (GAPS) · Disbursing Title IV Funds, · Returning Title IV Funds (this replaces the refund and repayment requirements) · Reporting in the FISAP, and · Student Record Keeping. For more details please refer to the agenda in Enclosure A. 2. Who should attend? You should attend if you are a comptroller, bursar, cashier, bookkeeper, or other fiscal office staff person at a Title IV postsecondary institution. Financial aid administrators from your school may also attend these workshops. We believe both the fiscal office and financial aid office staff will benefit from this training because they are dependent upon one another in properly administering these programs. Attendees should have at least one year of experience in the Title IV aid programs. 3. When, where, and how long are the workshops? Forty-three workshops will be offered from June 22 to August 19, 1999 within the continental U.S., Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Most of the workshops will be held at schools; a few will be held in hotel conference facilities. Please see Enclosure B for the addresses and dates of each two-day workshop. Each day will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at approximately 5:00 p.m., including lunch and two fifteen-minute breaks. 4. How can I find directions or maps and information about lodging, restaurants, and Parking? At your request, we will provide directions, maps, and information about lodging, restaurants, and parking for each workshop. To receive this information, e-mail your request to: edinfo@ctsmd.com. You will receive your information by e-mail, except for a map, which will be mailed to you. Please note that we are not endorsing the lodging, restaurant or other listings that we send. 5. How do I register for a workshop? You will register for this training through our On-line Training Registration system. Be sure you have an Internet browser version 4.0 or higher. After reviewing the schedule in Enclosure B, simply follow these steps: a. At end of this letter, click on "Register Now". This will take you into the Online Training Registration page. b. Follow the instructions, clicking on "Fiscal Officer Training," then Click to View Workshops." Find your workshop on the list, and click on the "Register Now" button to the left of the workshop you want to attend. Follow the instructions on the registration form that appears. c. Complete each block on the form. You will need an e-mail address to register. If you dont have an e-mail address, you may obtain a temporary one by going to any major Internet search engine and searching for free e-mail. Only one person can use each e-mail address to register. Please enter your e-mail address carefully if it is incorrect, your registration cant be processed. The screen with your information will appear twice so you can check that your data, especially your e-mail address, is correct. d. If you need special accommodations (e.g. sign-language interpreter), please specify this need by selecting the applicable box at the end of the registration form. e. You will be confirmed via a return e-mail for the workshop you choose. You should save your confirmation e-mail in case you need to cancel. If the workshop is full, you will be asked to select another workshop. We will register you on a first-come, first-served basis. f. If you need to cancel your registration, please click on the Internet address at the bottom of your e-mail confirmation. Once you have cancelled that workshop, you may register for another. Go back to the main Online Registration page and complete another registration form. If you are experiencing difficulty registering, please send an e-mail to internet_registration@ed.gov, and we will contact you as soon as possible. There are no registration or materials fees for Fiscal Officer Training. However, you should arrange and pay for your own transportation, meals, and lodging. (We have not made any arrangements to reserve rooms at hotel workshop sites or at hotels and motels near the school sites). You should make your lodging reservations only after you have received your registration confirmation. 6. What materials will I receive, and what do I need to bring to the workshop? At the workshop you will receive a copy of the 1999 editions of the Participant's Guide: Fiscal Officer Training and the Blue Book. In addition, you will be able to download copies of these publications in PDF files from the Training Information page on IFAP after Tuesday, June 8, 1999. Please bring two 1-1/2 inch three-ring binders to hold your copy of the Guide and the Blue Book. Also, bring a pocket calculator to perform some of the case study exercises. We hope that your participation in Fiscal Officer Training will give you the knowledge and skills to assist you in the administration of the Title IV aid programs at your school. Thank you in advance for your interest in this training. Sincerely, William J. Ryan Director Training and Program Information Division Office of Student Financial Assistance Programs Attachment A Attachment B |