| DCLPublicationDate: 3/1/2000 DCLID: GEN-00-4 AwardYear: Summary: This letter transmits the information necessary to comply with the requirements for providing to borrowers information on the Department's Office of the Ombudsman. March 2000 GEN-00-04 SUMMARY: This letter transmits the information necessary to comply with the requirements for providing to borrowers information on the Department's Office of the Ombudsman. Dear Partner: We are pleased to provide you with the information necessary to comply with the requirements for schools, lenders, and guaranty agencies to notify borrowers regarding the Department's Office of the Ombudsman. To whom do these requirements apply? These requirements apply to schools, lenders, and guaranty agencies under three Title IV student loan programs: the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, the Federal Family Education Loan Program, and the Federal Perkins Loan Program. What are the requirements regarding information to be provided to borrowers? Schools, lenders, and guaranty agencies are required to provide borrowers with information on the availability of the Department's Office of the Ombudsman for student loans. On October 28 and 29 and November 1, 1999, the Secretary published final regulations implementing these requirements (see enclosures A, B, and C for the regulatory text). What information meets these requirements? Enclosure D includes all the information a school, lender, or guaranty agency is required to provide to borrowers on availability of the Office of the Ombudsman. An entity may provide additional information at its discretion. When are these requirements effective? The regulations are effective July 1, 2000. For any applicable activity occurring on or after July 1, 2000, a school, lender, or guaranty agency is expected to provide to the borrower the information on the availability of the Office of the Ombudsman. For additional information, you can contact the Office of the Ombudsman at 1-202-401-4498 (Washington, D.C), toll-free at 1-877-557-2575. Sincerely, Debra Wiley Ombudsman Office of Student Financial Assistance Attachment A Attachment B Attachment C Attachment D |