Publication Date: January 28, 2011
| DCL ID: | ANN-11-01 |
Subject: Training Workshops – Regulatory Update 2011
Summary: This letter announces Federal Student Aid’s instructor-led, Regulatory Update 2011 training workshops scheduled for late February through April 2011. The workshops will focus on the October 29, 2010 Program Integrity Final Regulations. Information on the 2011-2012 application processing system, required consumer information disclosures, and certain Pell Grant and Direct Loan issues will also be discussed.
Dear Colleague:
We are pleased to announce our instructor-led, Regulatory Update 2011 training workshops scheduled for late February through April 2011. Each workshop is two days in length and will be conducted at various locations across the country, including the Department of Education’s (the Department’s) regional training facilities, postsecondary institutions, and hotel sites.
This training will provide an update on the October 29, 2010 Program Integrity Final Regulations. It will also cover information on the 2011-2012 application processing system and provide updates about required consumer information disclosures. Certain issues affecting the administration of the Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant) and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) programs will also be discussed.
Through the series of questions and answers below, we provide important information about the Regulatory Update 2011 training workshops.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1: Who should attend the training workshops?
A1: This training is specifically designed for financial aid administrators who work with the Title IV federal student aid programs. Staff from the institution's business office may also find value in this training.
Q2: What will be covered in the training workshops?
A2:The Regulatory Update 2011 training workshops address the following topics:
The October 29, 2010 Program Integrity Final Regulations which amended or created regulations relating to the following– high school diplomas, Ability to Benefit (ATB), misrepresentation, incentive compensation, state authorization, definition of a credit hour, the clock to credit hour conversion, consortium agreements, verification, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), repeated coursework, Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4), and disbursement for books and supplies.
The 2011-2012 application processing system, including changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), FAFSA on the Web, and FAA Access to CPS Online.
Updates on the required consumer information disclosures required by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Pub. L. 110-315.
Certain issues affecting the administration of the Pell Grant and Direct Loan programs.
A3: No, there is no cost to attend the training workshop. Participants are, however, responsible for their own travel costs, including accommodations and meals.
Q4: When and where are the training workshops?
A4: The two-daytraining workshops will be offered late February through April 2011 at various locations across the country, including the Department’s regional training facilities, postsecondary institutions, and hotel sites. Schedule and location information may be found by clicking the registration link (below).
Note: Directions to the Department's regional training facilities will be provided in the registration e-mail confirmation. For directions to training sites located at a school or hotel, please access the school or hotel Web site.
Q5: How does an individual register for the training workshop?
A5: Due to limited capacity, registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that it is important to register for these workshops, rather than traveling to a workshop site and taking a chance that space will be available on a last-minute basis for unregistered persons. A workshop may be full, in which case there would not be room for non-registered persons. When a workshop is held in a federal regional office, security procedures will prevent non-registered persons from entering the facility.
Once registered, you will receive an e-mail confirmation. Be sure to retain this as it contains important workshop information, including how to cancel your registration if you will be unable to attend. If you will be unable to attend, please take the time to cancel your registration so that individuals who wish to attend will be able to register. We expect a high demand for this training and want to accommodate as many as possible at each site.
To register for the training workshop, click on this link:
http://www.fsaregistration.ed.gov/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x11458a8b8&varPage=info
Q6: What does a trainee need to bring to the training workshop?
A6: Prior to the training,each participant will need to print the training materials. In an effort to reduce waste as well as to provide the most current information in our training, we will not have printed materials available the day of training– participants must bring their own copies to the session.
Closer to the start of training in February, we will send an e-mail to registered participants with a link to download and print the training materials. We will also post another training announcement to the Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) Web site with a link to the materials. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this process.
We look forward to your participation in these instructor-led, training workshop opportunities. If you have questions about these training opportunities, please contact Jamie Malone at jamie.malone@ed.gov. If you have questions about registration, please contact FSA Registration at FSA Internet Registration@ed.gov or 202/377-3941.
Sincerely,
Jana Hernandes
Service Director, Operations
Federal Student Aid