DRAFT – SUBJECT TO CHANGE
2017 Federal Student Aid Training Conferencefor Financial Aid Professionals
General & Breakout Sessions
General Sessions
GS1. Welcome & Federal Update
Session Description: Senior officials from the Department of Education (ED) will present information and updates about ED’s Title IV activities and initiatives, including information about ED’s regulatory efforts.
Presenters:
Dr. Johnson U.S. Department of Education
Cynthia Hammond U.S. Department of Education
Lynn Mahaffie U.S. Department of Education
GS2. Verification (2017–18 and 2018–19) and Identification and Resolution of 2017–18 Conflicting Information
Session Description:This session will include a discussion of the verification requirements for the 2018–19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) cycle and verification issues related to the 2017–18 FAFSA cycle. This session will also provide details about the resolution of 399 codes for the 2017–18 FAFSA cycle.
Presenters:
Craig Munier U.S. Department of Education
Carney McCullough U.S. Department of Education
GS3.FAFSA® and CPS – Now and What’s Next
Session Description: Presenters will shed light on recently implemented changes to the 2018–19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and the Central Processing System (CPS), and review preliminary findings regarding application volumes and trends. Additionally, planned mid-cycle enhancements to the FAFSA user experience will be discussed.
Presenters:
JonathanGoodsell U.S. Department of Education
Misty Parkinson U.S. Department of Education
Breakout Sessions
1. Welcome to Your First FSA Training Conference
Session Description: Are you new to the Federal Student Aid (FSA) Training Conference? This session will help you get the most out of the conference by showing you how to navigate the four-day agenda and how to determine which sessions will best meet your needs. You will also learn who attends the conference, what services are available, and how to get answers to your questions.
Presenter:
Trevor Summers U.S. Department of Education
2. New COD Reporting
Session Description: FSA has enhanced the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System reporting function with a new look to the “Report Portal.” Changes include removing older, unused reports, changing formats, and expanding others. This session will demonstrate how the portal can make accessing reports more beneficial for you.
Presenter:
Wood Mason U.S. Department of Education
3. eCB is Moving to COD
Session Description:This session will provide an overview of the upcoming move of the eCampus-Based (eCB) System to the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System in early 2018. The discussion will include a high-level review of current eCB functionality being integrated into COD with a new look and feel.
Presenter:
Alanna Nelson U.S. Department of Education
4. Pell LEU & SULA Adjustments for Transfer Students Coming from Closed Schools
Session Description:This session will provide information regarding closed school adjustments from an operational perspective for both the Federal Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) and the Direct Loan Program Subsidized Usage Limit Applies (SULA) Programs. The overview will include reducing loan periods, reducing loan amounts to equal amount disbursed, and addressing SULA conditions for students from closed schools. Understanding Federal Pell Grant restoration for closed schools effect on the Federal Pell Grant LEU, reviewing tools to help determine if a student has had Federal Pell Grant eligibility restored, and addressing additional Federal Pell Grant eligibility for an award year after a student has eligibility restored will also be covered.
Presenters:
Holly Langer-Evans U.S. Department of Education
Chuck Hirman U.S. Department of Education
Marie Fitzpatrick U.S. Department of Education
5. SULA Misunderstandings & Misreporting
Session Description:This session will address common Subsidized Usage Limit Applies (SULA) misunderstandings and misreporting. We'll begin with an overview of concepts and the requirements for reporting and updating records. We'll delve into how reporting mistakes and some processing shortcuts can impact a borrower's subsidized loan eligibility or result in a loss of subsidy. Included will be guidance on how to configure a loan when remaining subsidized eligibility is less than 1.0 year. The goal is clean SULA processing and no longer needing a prior award year re-opened to make necessary corrections.
Presenters:
Chuck Hirman U.S. Department of Education
Holly Langer-Evans U.S. Department of Education
Ian Foss U.S. Department of Education
Eric Hardy U.S. Department of Education
6. Assuring Quality: Satisfying the Direct Loan Requirement 34 CFR 685.300(b)(9)
Session Description: The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program regulations at 34 CFR 685.300(b)(9) require schools to implement and document a quality assurance process to ensure they are complying with program requirements and meeting program objectives. This session will outline what Direct Loan schools are required to do to meet these requirements and what documentation is needed to provide to an auditor or program reviewer.
Presenter:
Holly Langer-Evans U.S. Department of Education
7. Professional Judgment: Did You Know?
Session Description:This session will explore our statute allowances pertaining to a school’s ability to provide professional judgment (PJ) to assist students seeking Title IV support. We will explore school PJ policies to include what is and what is not PJ, documentation requirements, and how PJ interacts with verification. In addition, we will discuss the different kinds of professional judgment and related authorities afforded schools including COA adjustments, EFC data element considerations, dependency overrides, parent’s refusal to complete FAFSA forms, and provide support and denying or reducing Direct Loans. Examples, resources, and references will be provided.
Presenters:
Bruce Honer U.S. Department of Education
Annmarie Weisman U.S. Department of Education
8. Administering Disbursements
Session Description: Come learn with Department officials as we explore the flexibilities and restrictions when handling Title IV funds. In this session we will discuss various aspects of properly disbursing Title IV funds including Title IV credit balances, early and late disbursements, post-withdrawal disbursements, and retroactive disbursements. In addition, we will review G5 drawdowns, G5 and COD interactions, and timely and accurate system reporting. We will also provide information regarding how to disburse or return funds if improper payments occur or if a student regains eligibility.
Presenters:
Bruce Honer U.S. Department of Education
David Bartnicki U.S. Department of Education
9. Administering Adds, Drops, and Withdrawals
Session Description: This session will address the activities a financial aid administrator must performwhen a student adds or drops courses as well as when astudent withdraws (excluding R2T4 calculation). Discussion and case scenarios will be provided concerning recalculation rules and census dates in various situations as students add and drop courses.This session will also provide an in-depth explanation concerning student withdrawals on such topics as school attendance, official and unofficial withdrawals, determining the date of withdrawal, and reporting deadlines.
Presenter:
Joe Massman U.S. Department of Education
10. Basics of Determining Academic Calendars (Standard, Non-Standard, and Non-Term)
Session Description: This session will explain how different types of academic calendars affect the administration of Title IV aid. Guidance will be provided on how to determine whether a program is structured as standard term, non-standard term, or non-term and how each calendar structure determines what Federal Pell Grant formula is required and how academic years are defined for Direct Loans.
Presenter:
Kimberly Wells U.S. Department of Education
11. Title IV Reconciliation Tools & Tips
Session Description: This session will include an overview and updates for streamlining reconciliation and program year close out. New this year, we will host a discussion panel, inclusive of school representatives from the financial aid and business office, who will share tips and tools from their experience.
Presenter:
Barbara Davis U.S. Department of Education
12. Administering Title IV Aid for Transfer Students
Session Description: This session will address various issues that arise when administering federal student aid for transfer students. Discussions will cover transfer monitoring and demonstrate how to correctly award and disburse both Federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans in standard term credit-hour, clock-hour, and non-term credit-hour programs. Additionally, we will provide example scenarios about what to do when a transfer student withdraws during overlapping payment periods for Federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans.
Presenter:
Zachary Goodwin U.S. Department of Education
13. National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS®)
Session Description: In this session, we will recap the changes made to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS®) websites and reports for schools in 2017. This will include a high-level review of updates made to support Loan Data, Enrollment Reporting, and other NSLDS functionality.
Presenters:
Valerie Sherrer U.S. Department of Education
Eric Hardy U.S. Department of Education
14. Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System Update
Session Description:This session will provide an overview of recent modifications to the COD system for the 2017–18 processing cycle, including year-round Federal Pell Grant changes and Pell Restoration. It will also include information about anticipated system enhancements and modifications for the upcoming 2018–19 award year.
Presenters:
Wood Mason U.S. Department of Education
Marie Fitzpatrick U.S. Department of Education
15. Regulatory Relief Listening Session
Session Description:In accordance with President Trump’s regulatory reform agenda, the Department of Education is reviewing current regulations and working to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens. We would like to hear your ideas for regulations and guidance that should be repealed, replaced or modified. We are especially interested in your thoughts about regulations that are unnecessary, ineffective, or impose cost that exceed the benefits. Come share your ideas with us during our regulatory relief listening sessions during the FSA conference.
Presenters:
Lynn Mahaffie U.S. Department of Education
Kathleen Smith U.S. Department of Education
16. Third-Party Servicers and Your Campus
Session Description: This session will review the guidance provided to institutions that contract with third-party servicers to administer aspects of an institution’s participation in the Title IV programs. We will explore the definition of a third-party servicer, the responsibilities of an institution in working with a third-party servicer, and reporting requirements related to third-party servicers. This session will also cover the most recent guidance provided by the Department related to third-party servicers as well as common issues identified during program reviews.
Presenters:
Angela Beam U.S. Department of Education
Denise Morelli U.S. Department of Education
17. Cash Management Regulations Overview
Session Description:This session will provide guidance on the final regulations that changed the requirements for institutions that partner with banks and servicers to offer debit cards, prepaid cards, student IDs with financial account capabilities, and similar products. We will provide an overview about why these regulatory changes were necessary and will explain in detail the new requirements for institutions including: the limitations on fees that can be charged to students, disclosure requirements, and limitations on sharing private student information. We will also provide information about other changes made in the final regulations, including confirming students’ eligibility, paying credit balances before seeking reimbursement from the Department, and including the cost of books and supplies in tuition among other topics.
Presenters:
Ashley Higgins U.S. Department of Education
Trevor Summers U.S. Department of Education
18. How Modules Can Affect Title IV
Session Description: Any course in a program that does not span the entire length of a payment period or a period of enrollment is considered to be a module. This session will explain how to administer Title IV aid when your standard term academic calendar contains modules. Modules may be included exclusively or in conjunction with full-term courses, year-round, or only during a summer term. All of these scenarios will be discussed. Other sessions will cover R2T4. This session will not.
Presenters:
Kevin Campbell U.S. Department of Education
Greg Martin U.S. Department of Education
19. A Guide to Year-Round Federal Pell Grants
Session Description:Come and hear an overview of the new provisions governing year-round Federal Pell Grants. This session will include new statutory provisions, examples of calculations, related COD system updates, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Presenters:
Carney McCullough U.S. Department of Education
Marie Fitzpatrick U.S. Department of Education
20. Top 10 Important Facts You Should Know About the Federal Perkins Loan Program
Session Description: Requirements and regulations about the Federal Perkins Loan Program can be confusing. This session will focus on the most important facts your institution needs to know about Perkins Loans. There will be discussion of excess liquid capital, reporting requirements, loan assignment, and other important facts.
Presenters:
Tamy Garofano U.S. Department of Education
Barbara Hoblitzell U.S. Department of Education
21.Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans & Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Session Description:IDR plans can provide critical relief for federal student loan borrowers. This session will provide an overview of the Department’s income-driven repayment plans, anddiscuss how IDR plans intersect with the PSLF Program.
Presenters:
Ian Foss U.S. Department of Education
Barbara Hoblitzell U.S. Department of Education
22. Return of Title IV (R2T4) Funds: Basic Principles
Session Description: Have you ever done an R2T4 calculation? Have you ever wondered what your colleagues do when a student withdrawals? Well, now is your chance to get an overview of the R2T4 process. This session will discuss key definitions, provide a high-level overview of the actual R2T4 steps, and address important concepts and timeframes that take place throughout the R2T4 calculation – withdrawal dates, dates of determination, aid that could have been disbursed, post-withdrawal disbursements, grant overpayments, etc. If you are new to working with withdrawn students, then this session is for you.
Presenters:
David Musser U.S. Department of Education
Rick Renshaw U.S. Department of Education
23. Return of Title IV (R2T4) Funds: Advanced Concepts
Session Description: A basic understanding of R2T4 principles is expected for participants in this session as it will explain advanced concepts related to the R2T4 process. Additionally, the session will describe the treatment of modules, non-term programs, and abbreviated loan periods in R2T4 calculations.
Presenters:
David Musser U.S. Department of Education
Greg Martin U.S. Department of Education
24. Open Forum
Session Description: This question-and-answer session will give financial aid administrators an opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions to Department of Education senior staff.
Presenters:
Jeff Appel U.S. Department of Education
Craig Munier U.S. Department of Education
Cynthia Hammond U.S. Department of Education
Bill Leith U.S. Department of Education
Carney McCullough U.S. Department of Education
Robin Minor U.S. Department of Education
Misty Parkinson U.S. Department of Education
Annmarie Weisman U.S. Department of Education
25. Integrated Partner Management (IPM) – Eligibility Application Overview
Session Description:In this session, we will provide an overview of the eligibility application process in IPM that includes variations for different types of eligibility applications. We will also discuss events that determine when an application must be updated, changes that could impact a school's eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs, and common errors that delay the application process.
Presenter:
Susan Bowder U.S. Department of Education
26. Program Review Essentials and the Top 10 Compliance Findings
Session Description: Would you like to learn about the program review process and the most common compliance findings? We will conduct a walk-through of the program review process, highlighting the areas with the current "Top 10 Program Review and Audit Findings." Learn what you can do to improve your school's program administration and to remain in compliance.
Presenters:
Brian Bender U.S. Department of Education
Jim Wyant U.S. Department of Education
27. Maintaining Your Institutional Eligibility
Session Description: This session will cover what FAAs need to know about maintaining their school’s eligibility and will include information about recertification and other changes that could impact a school's eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs. The session will also cover what information a school needs to submit for different types of eligibility applications and what events trigger the need to submit an application. Presenters will explain when and how schools should report changes to maintain eligibility.
Presenters:
Renee Schultz U.S. Department of Education
Kai Kimbrough U.S. Department of Education
28. How to Detect and Deter Federal Financial Aid Fraud
Session Description:Special agents from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) will discuss the OIG’s mission to combat fraud and abuse in federal student aid programs and what you can do to help safeguard those programs for your neediest students.Special agents will illustrate complex and common fraud schemes, brief you on indicators that can help you detect internal and external fraud, discuss the criminal and civil remedies sought by the OIG, and how you can report potential fraud to the OIG.Special agents will clarify what actions are taken by OIG as it pertains to fraud. Additionally, you will have an opportunity to ask questions to the special agents that investigate student aid fraud schemes.
Presenters:
Aaron Jordon U.S. Department of Education
Robert Mancuso U.S. Department of Education
Nicole Eisenzopf U.S. Department of Education
29. Complying with the Clery Act and Related Laws
Session Description: This session will provide an overview of the Department’s campus safety and crime prevention rules and information on recent developments in these vitally important areas. Participants will also learn how to apply best practices and avoid common mistakes in related areas, including fire safety, sexual assault prevention and response, and substance abuse prevention. The interaction with the Department’s civil rights and records privacy rules will also be addressed.