| Publication Date: May 2006 DCL ID: GEN-06-07 Subject: Notification and extension of guidance to assist Title IV participants affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. SUMMARY: This letter contains a summary and extension of prior guidance related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the announcement of additional waivers provided under the authority granted to the Secretary.Posted on 05-02-2006 Dear Colleague: On December 30, 2005, President Bush signed the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-148). The Higher Education Hurricane Relief Act of 2005, contained within Pub. L. 109-148, authorizes the Secretary to waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to student financial assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) or any student or institutional eligibility provision in the HEA, as the Secretary deems necessary in connection with a Gulf hurricane disaster. These waivers and modifications are presented in the enclosure attached to this Dear Colleague Letter. Additionally, since early September 2005, the Department has issued guidance to participants in the Federal student financial aid programs addressing enforcement of the statute and regulations governing those programs in light of the problems caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This guidance is summarized within this enclosure, and where appropriate, has been extended under the Secretary's general authority. If you have questions about any of the information contained in this letter, please contact the Federal Student Aid Research and Customer Care Center. The Center staff is 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 are accepted by an automated voice response system. Callers leaving their name and phone number receive a return call the next business day. You may also send an inquiry by facsimile to the Research and Customer Care Center at 202-275-5532, or e-mail one to fsa.customer.support@ed.gov. Sincerely, David L. Dunn |