Topics

This page contains a list of various Title IV federal student aid topics for which there is a consolidated information hub. You can access each topic of interest from here and then bookmark that page for future use. The Featured Topics section includes topics that are new to the list or accessed the most.

Since 2013, Direct Loan statutory requirements have limited a first-time borrower’s eligibility for Direct Subsidized Loans to a period not to exceed 150% of the length of the borrower’s educational program. In addition, under certain conditions, the requirements have caused first-time borrowers who have met or exceeded the 150% limit to lose the interest subsidy on their Direct Subsidized Loans. The FAFSA Simplification Act, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260) provides for a repeal of the 150% Subsidized Usage Limit Applies (SULA) requirements. Final regulations for the repeal of the SULA requirements were published in the Federal Register on June 14, 2021.
Application Processing refers to the process through which the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is evaluated and results are returned to students and institutions. The Central Processing System (CPS) is the processing system for FAFSA data.
The Campus-Based Programs include the Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant programs. These programs are administered through the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System.
On October 30, 2015, the Department published final program integrity and improvement regulations relating to cash management. This page provides the most updated information pertaining to requirements under the October 30, 2015 cash management regulations.
The Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System is the system through which Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant),Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) awards are processed. The COD System is also used by schools to complete Campus-Based processes.
Welcome to the Default Management page. This page integrates the publication of the official cohort default rates (CDR) while providing cohort default-related information, references, and resources for these rates in one location.
Federal Student Aid is committed to assisting schools with efforts that educate students about their loan repayment obligation, encourage successful repayment, and address delinquent repayment when it occurs. By employing evaluation, prevention, and outreach activities, schools can work in advance to reduce the risk of default by their students. Ultimately, this intervention will assist schools in managing their cohort default rates.
Beginning in May 2018, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will give Title IV schools access to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system. This access is being provided to schools for the purpose of submitting third step verification requests to obtain the immigration status for determining student eligibility for Title IV aid. Increasing electronic access for Title IV schools to the SAVE system is a collaborative effort by ED and DHS, designed to modernize the third step verification process. DHS’ existing paper-based process will be discontinued on May 1, 2018.

In December 2023, we implemented expanded FSA Partner Connect features that introduced new online versions of the Application for Approval to Participate in the Federal Student Financial Assistance Programs (E-App) and the Third-Party Servicer Inquiry Form. Stakeholders should bookmark this page for regular status updates related to the new E-App and Third-Party Servicer Inquiry Form.

EDconnect is a Windows-based software that assists users with sending, receiving, and managing their Federal student aid information electronically. Users collect data on their personal computer (PC) or computer system and transmit the collected data in batches over the Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG). The appropriate Title IV Application System receives the data, processes the data, performs any required database cross-referencing, and returns the processed data to the user’s SAIG mailbox. The entire processing cycle for routine application data within the SAIG system is typically 72 hours (three working days).
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the financial aid application completed each year by students and parents who apply for federal student aid. The Student Aid Report (SAR) is the official paper document printed by the Central Processing System (CPS) and mailed to the student. The SAR contains processing results, including the expected family contribution (EFC), and can be used by the student or parent to make corrections.
The FAFSA Simplification Act passed on Dec. 27, 2020 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and represents a significant overhaul of federal student aid, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, need analysis, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in the Title IV programs. FSA will be implementing the FAFSA Simplification Act alongside the FAFSA portion of the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act which authorizes a direct data exchange with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to facilitate completing the FAFSA form. This page serves as a repository for all information, guidance, and training related to implementation of these laws.
The Financial Partners page promotes a greater program integrity through innovation technical development, oversight, technical assistance, partnership and community outreach programs by working in partnership with Guaranty Agencies, Lenders, Servicers, Trade Association, Trustees, Schools and Secondary Markets to ensure access for students to federal student loans.
Authorized personnel at eligible schools located outside the United States (commonly referred to as foreign schools) use functionality within the U.S. Department of Education's (the Department's) Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System to process William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans for eligible U.S. students who attend their schools. Before a foreign school may begin participating in the Direct Loan Program, it must apply to participate, receive a countersigned Program Participation Agreement and Eligibility and Certification Report, request COD System and Web site access, and complete funding related actions.
Federal Student Aid recognizes the importance of strong data security. Federal Student Aid has consolidated its cybersecurity compliance information and resources on this page. The data is organized into key topical areas below.
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