Enclosure A
2001-2002 Renewal Application Process
Questions and Answers


1) Does my school have to participate in the Renewal FAFSA process described in this action letter?

No. Your school does not have to participate in the Renewal Application Data (RAD) request process. The CPS will print and mail Renewal FAFSAs directly to eligible students whose records have not been specifically requested by a participating institution or destination point. This mailing will occur between November 13 and December 29, 2000. The CPS will also automatically mail PINs instead of paper Renewal FAFSAs to students who in 2000-2001:

filed web applications or corrections, OR
indicated on their FAFSAs they were a 5th year undergraduate, OR
indicated on their FAFSAs they were a graduate student.

2) Which students are eligible to receive Renewal FAFSAs for 2001-2002? What criteria are used for selection?

The CPS will create the 2001-2002 Renewal Application (RAPP) database from 2000-2001 applicants during the last week of September 2000. The creation process selects the most current "valid" 2000-2001 CPS transaction for each student. This would be the most current transaction that was not rejected, and did not result from a dependency override or professional judgement correction.

A RAPP record will be produced from the selected transaction and the student will be eligible to file a 2001-2002 Renewal FAFSA, provided that the selected transaction also meets all the following conditions:

the transaction has a deliverable address within U.S. territories (non-foreign);

the transaction does not have a duplicate current SSN (i.e., the same current SSN as another student on file with the CPS for 2000-2001);

the transaction does not contain an NSLDS match flag indicating the student is in default or owes an overpayment on a Title IV grant or loan; and

the student is not on the Drug Abuse and/or Verification Hold File.

We strongly recommend that you encourage your students to correct or update their addresses in the 2000-2001 CPS database before September 15, 2000. This will help ensure that the CPS has the students' correct addresses for the RAPP database and that students will receive their 2001-2002 Renewal Application information. Students can update their addresses by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800/433-3243 or by filing a correction via Correction on the Web. Schools can also assist by submitting an electronic correction using EDExpress if they choose.

3) I want printed Renewal FAFSAs mailed to my school so I can distribute them to my students. How do I request this, and when should I do it?

For the 2001-2002 cycle, you will continue to have the option to ask the CPS to print Renewal FAFSAs and mail them to you for distribution to your students. As in previous cycles, you can request all Renewal FAFSAs for students who listed your school code on their 2000-2001 FAFSA/SAR transaction, or request specific students by SSN, school code, or grade level.

Remember: You must distribute all paper Renewal FAFSAs you receive to your students or they will not be able to participate in the paper Renewal FAFSA process. (See Enclosure B for the impact and responsibilities of other RAD request types).

The CPS will accept requests for printed Renewal FAFSAs between October 2 and October 27, 2000. The CPS will then mail these Renewal FAFSAs (in bulk) to requesting schools between November 2 and November 10, 2000. We will provide detailed instructions for requesting bulk printed Renewal FAFSAs, including record layouts, in the second Action Letter scheduled for release in late August.

4) Can I print Renewal FAFSAs at my school for my students, instead of having the CPS do it for me?

Yes. You can specify in your Renewal Application Data (RAD) request that you would prefer to do the printing yourself. If you select this option, the CPS will send you an electronic RAD file you can import into your EDExpress or third-party software for printing. As in previous years, you must print and distribute the Renewal FAFSAs for all students on the RAD file because this will be the students' only way to participate in the paper Renewal FAFSA process. Additionally, if you print Renewal FAFSAs, you must also key these applications and submit them electronically to the CPS. The FAFSA processor is unable to process Renewal FAFSAs that are not printed by the CPS.

5) Can I receive a paper Renewal FAFSA, in addition to the RAD record, for my students who are automatically mailed PINs?

No. As in the previous cycle, you may only request a RAD record for these students. The CPS is unable to print paper Renewal FAFSAs for students who were automatically mailed PINs. Sending PINs to students will encourage them to use the Renewal FAFSA on the Web.

6) Can I receive an electronic Renewal Application Data (RAD) file containing records for the same students for whom I requested paper Renewal FAFSAs?

Yes, if you want one. You should designate that you want an electronic RAD file (RADD02OP) sent to you when you submit your RAD request. You can import the file you receive into 2001-2002 EDExpress or your third-party software and print a list of the students in the batch, or perform entry of Renewal FAFSAs.

7) I would prefer to have students apply for aid using Renewal FAFSA on the Web. Can I request PINs for my students instead of paper Renewal FAFSAs?

Yes. For 2001-2002, you will continue to have the option of requesting PINs be mailed to your students instead of paper Renewal FAFSAs. Because the PIN provides access to confidential student information and serves as the student's electronic signature, the Department of Education (ED) must mail PINs directly to students. They cannot be mailed to schools for distribution to students.

Like the paper Renewal FAFSA process, you can request ED send PINs to all students who listed your school code on their 2000-2001 FAFSA or SAR transaction; or you may request specific students by SSN, school code, or grade level.

You will not be able to receive both paper Renewal FAFSAs and PINs for the same students. For example, if you request PINs for all first-year students who listed your school code on their 2000-2001 FAFSA or SAR transaction, any requests for paper Renewal FAFSAs for the same student group will not be processed.

Additionally, you will not be able to request paper Renewal FAFSAs for students who in 2000-2001 filed web applications or corrections, or for students with a 2000-2001 grade level of "5th year/other undergraduate" or "Graduate/Professional or beyond" (college grade level of 6 or 7, respectively). These students will automatically receive PINs as part of the Renewal Application process.

8) I plan to submit a RAD request so that PINs are sent to my students. Can I get a list of the students who will be sent a PIN when my request is accepted?

Yes. In your 2001-2002 RAD request, ask that an electronic RAD file be sent to your school. If you specify in your request that you would like PINs sent to your students, the electronic RAD file you receive (RADD02OP) will include these students. The RAD file will include students who meet the request criteria, listed your school code, and are eligible to participate in the 2001-2002 Renewal FAFSA process. The file will also include the students who will automatically receive a PIN, if you requested records for these students.

9) I'm not interested in printing or distributing Renewal FAFSAs to my students. Can I get a list of students who received Renewal Applications or PINs?

Yes. Use the RAD Request process beginning October 28, 2000 to receive an electronic RAD file. This file will not be sent until CPS begins processing regularly for the 2001-2002 cycle (January 2001). Each RAD record contains a PIN indicator which, if set, tells you that a student received a PIN. If the PIN indicator is blank, the student received a paper Renewal Application either from the CPS or another school. You can import the electronic RAD file into 2001-2002 EDExpress or your third-party software and print a list from the software (including the PIN mailer indicator).

10) If I submit a RAD request and do not select the option to receive the electronic RAD file, then decide later I do need the file, can I go back and request it for the same group of students?

No, this would be considered a duplicate request and be rejected. You must request the electronic RAD file as part of your original RAD request.