Publication Date: September 2001
DCL ID: GEN-01-12
Summary: Recent Terrorist Attacks - Institutional Reporting Deadlines
GEN-01-12September 2001
Subject: Recent Terrorist Attacks - Institutional Reporting Deadlines
Summary: This letter is the second of a series providing guidance regarding the administration of the federal student aid programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act as a result of the terrorist attacks on the United States. The first letter (GEN-01-11), published yesterday, addressed the immediate needs of borrowers who are in repayment on federal student loans. This letter concerns upcoming institutional deadlines that may impact certain schools. Later this week we will publish a third letter that deals with the treatment of students and borrowers who are affected by the recent military mobilization. We will publish a fourth letter that will comprehensively address other issues that relate to regulatory and administrative relief for those affected by the terrorist attacks.
Dear Colleague:
On September 11, 2001, President Bush designated all five boroughs of New York City (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island) as eligible for national disaster assistance. We expect that there are institutions that, because of the attacks, may be unable to comply with one or more Title IV reporting requirements.
This letter addresses three issues of immediate concern involving institutional reporting as discussed below. A subsequent Dear Colleague Letter will address other reporting requirements.
Filing Deadline for FISAP - Upon a school's request, we will grant an extension to the submission deadline for the upcoming FISAP if a school is unable to meet the published deadline of October 1, 2001 because of the disaster. Affected schools should make such a request, as soon as they are able, by contacting Richard Coppage in Campus-Based Operations by e-mail at Richard.Coppage@ed.gov or by phone at (202) 708-4694. After October 11, 2001, Richard's phone number will be (202) 377-3174.
Final 2000-2001 Federal Pell Grant Reporting Deadline - Upon a school's request, we will grant an extension to the reporting deadline of final 2000-2001 Federal Pell Grant payments if the school is unable to meet the published deadline of October 1, 2001 because of the disaster. Affected schools should make such a request, as soon as they are able, by contacting Barbara Maddox in Pell Grant Operations by e-mail at Barbara.Maddox@ed.gov or by phone at (202) 708-8825. After October 11, 2001, Barbara's phone number will be (202) 377-3116.
Deadline for Reporting Federal Pell Grant Disbursement Records - For schools impacted by these disasters, we will not enforce the deadline that a school submit a Pell Grant disbursement record within 30 days after the school makes a payment to the student or changes a previously-reported payment, but instead will require submission within 90 days. If a school finds it impossible to meet this 90-day requirement, we will consider a request for a further extension on a case-by-case basis. Requests for such an extension should be made by contacting Barbara Maddox in Pell Grant Operations by e-mail at Barbara.Maddox@ed.gov or by phone at (202) 708-8825. After October 11, 2001, Barbara's phone number will be (202) 377-3116.
Submission of Federal Direct Loan Records - For schools impacted by these disasters, we will not enforce the deadline that a school submit Direct Loan promissory notes, loan origination records, and initial and subsequent disbursement records no later than 30 days following the date of disbursement, but instead we will require schools to submit these records within 90 days of the date of disbursement. If a school finds it impossible to meet this 90-day requirement, we will consider a request for a further extension on a case-by-case basis. Requests for such an extension should be made by contacting Sarah Utz in Direct Loan Operations by e-mail at Sarah.Utz@ed.gov or by phone at (202) 260-5032. After October 11, 2001, Sarah's phone number will be (202) 377-3140.
As indicated above, we expect to provide more comprehensive guidance within the next few days. In the meantime, if you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the SFA Customer Service Call Center through any of the following means:
- Via phone, Call Center staff members are available Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM (Eastern Time) at 1-800-433-7327. After hours calls will be accepted by an automated voice response system. Callers leaving their name and phone number will receive a return call the next business day.
- Via FAX, inquiries should be sent to the Call Center at (202) 260-4199.
- Via e-mail, inquiries should be directed to the Call Center staff at SFA.Customer.Support@ed.gov.
- Via the Schools Portal on the Internet, by going to http://fsa4schools.ed.gov then clicking on the "Got a Question?" button.
I want to thank you in advance for serving those who have been impacted by these terrible tragedies.
Sincerely,
William D. Hansen
Deputy Secretary