Subject: GAPS shutdown -- January 11, 2002 to January 22, 2002

Dear Partner:

This letter notifies you that the Department of Education’s Grant Administration and Payment System (GAPS) will be unavailable from Friday afternoon, January 11, 2002 until the morning of Tuesday, January 22, while the Department transfers its accounting system to a new operating environment. During this shutdown, institutions will not be able to draw down federal funds from the Department. In addition, the GAPS web site and help desk will not be available.

Option 2 schools may, no earlier than Wednesday, January 9, and no later than 2:00 PM (EST) on Friday, January 11, request through GAPS, funds needed for disbursement to students during this extended period.

The Loan Origination Center (LOC) will make advance drawdowns to cover all anticipated disbursements for Option 1 and Standard Origination schools. Loan Origination Records must be received and accepted by the LOC by January 4th, 2002, in order for them to be included in the advance drawdown prior to the shutdown of GAPS. Loan Origination Records accepted after January 4th will be funded after GAPS comes back up on January 22.

Institutions that receive Title IV funds under the reimbursement payment method must notify their reimbursement analyst of the amount of disbursements that it expects to make during the temporary shutdown period. If, in the view of the reimbursement analyst, the requested amount is reasonable, we will provide those funds to the institution prior to the shutdown of GAPS and in advance of receiving the formal reimbursement requests. In order to ensure that funds are available to schools when needed, the notification must be submitted on or before January 4th.

In addition, prior to the shutdown of GAPS, we will advance to institutions program funds from pending reimbursement requests.

An Electronic Announcement published on IFAP December 14th provided guidance to assist in minimizing the impact of the conversion and shutdown period for institutions. Please refer to that announcement for further guidance.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this required shutdown period. Any additional questions or concerns with or regarding the GAPS shutdown can be addressed to Direct Loan Operations at 202-377-3150.

Sincerely,

Jane Holman

Acting Director, Title IV Delivery
Schools Channel

Maintained for Historical Purposes

() GAPS shutdown -- January 11, 2002 to January 22, 2002

Subject: GAPS shutdown -- January 11, 2002 to January 22, 2002