Dear Colleague:
Federal Student Aid (FSA) is pleased to announce the release of an online, self-paced learning track on cohort default rates (CDRs) and default prevention and management.
This learning track helps financial aid professionals understand how CDRs work, why they matter, and how institutions can use data, borrower outreach, and operational practices to support repayment success and manage default risk. The track contains two courses that are designed to be taken together. The first course provides foundational CDR knowledge, and the second course focuses on practical strategies for default prevention and management.
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Understanding Cohort Default Rates and Institutional Impact introduces CDRs, how they are calculated, and their impact on borrowers and institutions. Learners also explore the role of data review, challenges, adjustments, and appeals in CDR management.
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Operational Strategies for Default Prevention and Management covers practical strategies for preventing and managing default risk using a campus-wide framework. Strategies include data-driven outreach, timely enrollment reporting, and targeted borrower support.
Together, these courses help institutions move from understanding CDR requirements to applying default prevention strategies in day-to-day operations. The training emphasizes shared responsibility, data-informed decision making, and continuous improvement. It is also a continuation of FSA’s work to support institutions of higher education that have high non-repayment rates in preparation for the upcoming release of official cohort default rates later this year and draft rates early next year.
To access these courses, log in to the FSA Training Center with your username and password. Select “Learning Tracks,” then select “School Eligibility,” and then choose the “Cohort Default Rates and Default Management” track.
Note: If you don’t have a username and password, scroll to the bottom of the log-in page and choose "Create new account." Follow the instructions to create a username and password.
If you have any questions about the courses or have other training needs, please contact us at helpdesk.fsatraining@ed.gov.
Sincerely,
Federal Student Aid