2017 Federal Student Aid Training Conferencefor Financial Aid Professionals
General & Breakout Sessions
General Sessions
GS1. Welcome and Keynote Address
Day 1, Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Pacific Ballroom
Presenter:
Secretary Betsy DeVos U.S. Department of Education
Overflow seating available in Northern Hemisphere B & D
Disaster Relief Guidance
Presenter:
Robin Minor U.S. Department of Education
Day 1, Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Pacific Ballroom
GS2. 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:
Lynn Mahaffie U.S. Department of Education
Cynthia Hammond U.S. Department of Education
Day 1, Tuesday, 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Pacific Ballroom
Overflow seating available in Northern Hemisphere B& D
GS3. 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
Day 1, Tuesday, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Pacific Ballroom
Overflow seating available in Northern Hemisphere B& D
GS4. Keynote Address: Federal Student Aid’s Chief Operating Officer
Presenter:
Dr. A. Wayne Johnson U.S. Department of Education
Day 2, Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. –8:45 a.m. Pacific Ballroom
Overflow seating available in Northern Hemisphere B & D
GS5. 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:
Ed Pacchetti U.S. Department of Education
Misty Parkinson U.S. Department of Education
Day 2, Wednesday, 8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Pacific Ballroom
Overflow seating available in Northern Hemisphere B& D
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
Day 1, Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. Southern Hemisphere II
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
Day 2, Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Southern Hemisphere II
Day 2, Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Pacific Ballroom B
Day 3, Thursday, 1:35 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. Northern Hemisphere B
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
Day 1, Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Northern Hemisphere A
Day 2, Wednesday, 2:05 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. Northern Hemisphere A
Day 3, Thursday, 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Swan Ballroom 6
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
Marie Fitzpatrick U.S. Department of Education
Day 2, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Northern Hemisphere B
Day 3, Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Northern Hemisphere B
Day 4, Friday, 8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Pacific Ballroom A
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
Day 2, Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Pacific Ballroom A
Day 3, Thursday, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. Pacific Ballroom C
Day 4, Friday, 10:20 a.m. - 11:35 a.m. Pacific Ballroom A
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
Day 1, Tuesday, 2:50 p.m. - 4:05 p.m. Southern Hemisphere II
Day 2, Wednesday, 2:20 p.m. - 3:35 p.m. Southern Hemisphere II
Day 3, Thursday, 1:35 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. Northern Hemisphere A
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
Day 1, Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Pacific Ballroom B
Day 2, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Ballroom B
Day 3, Thursday, 1:35 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. Pacific Ballroom B
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.
Presenter:
Bruce Honer U.S. Department of Education
Day 1, Tuesday, 3:05 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Pacific Ballroom A
Day 2, Wednesday, 3:40 p.m. - 4:55 p.m. Pacific Ballroom C
Day 3, Thursday, 3:10 p.m. - 4:25 p.m. Pacific Ballroom C
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.
Presenters:
Joe Massman U.S. Department of Education
David Bartnicki U.S. Department of Education
Day 1, Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Pacific Ballroom C
Day 2, Wednesday, 2:05 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. Pacific Ballroom B
Day 3, Thursday, 10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. Pacific Ballroom B
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
Day 1, Tuesday, 3:05 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Northern Hemisphere A
Day 2, Wednesday, 3:40 p.m. - 4:55 p.m. Northern Hemisphere A
Day 3, Thursday, 10:50 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. Swan Ballroom 10
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
Day 2, Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. -11:15 a.m. Swan Ballroom 10
Day 2, Wednesday, 2:05 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. Pacific Ballroom A
Day 3, Thursday, 1:50 p.m. - 3:05 p.m. Northern Hemisphere D
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
Day 1, Tuesday, 2:50 p.m. - 4:05 p.m. Swan Ballroom 10
Day 2, Wednesday, 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Swan Ballroom 10
Day 3, Thursday, 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Swan Ballroom 10
13. National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS®)Update
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
Day 1, Tuesday, 1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Southern Hemisphere II
Day 2, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Ballroom A
Day 3, Thursday, 1:35 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. Pacific Ballroom C
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
Day 2, Wednesday, 2:05 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. Northern Hemisphere B
Day 2, Wednesday, 3:40 p.m. - 4:55 p.m. Pacific Ballroom A
Day 3, Thursday, 3:10 p.m. - 4:25 p.m. Pacific Ballroom A
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 costs that exceed the benefits. Come share your ideas with us during our regulatory relief listening sessions during the FSA conference.
Presenters:
Kathleen Smith U.S. Department of Education
Lynn Mahaffie U.S. Department of Education
Day 1, Tuesday, 1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Northern Hemisphere B
Day 2, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Ballroom C
Day 2, Wednesday, 12:45p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Southern Hemisphere II
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
Day 2, Wednesday, 3:55 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. Swan Ballroom 6
Day 3, Thursday, 3:25 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. Swan Ballroom 10
Day 4, Friday, 8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Northern Hemisphere A
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
Day 1, Tuesday, 2:50 p.m. - 4:05 p.m. Northern Hemisphere B
Day 2, Wednesday, 3:55 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. Northern Hemisphere D
Day 3, Thursday, 1:50 p.m. - 3:05 p.m. Swan Ballroom 6
18. Modules and Title IV – Advanced Concepts
Session Description: It is strongly recommended that attendees view the presentation from the 2016 FSA Training Conference entitled How Modules Can Affect Title IV (Available on IFAP) BEFORE attending this presentation. This session will assume that attendees are knowledgeable about the basics of modules and their impact on Title IV. This session will explore modules at a more advanced level. This session will focus on academic calendars that utilize standard terms which contain modules. This session will include a discussion of disbursements in a module environment, reporting in a module environment and other related topics. This session will not include a discussion of Return of Title IV in a module environment. Session 23, Return of Title IV Funds – Advanced Concepts will include a discussion of R2T4 and modules.
Presenters:
Kevin Campbell U.S. Department of Education
Greg Martin U.S. Department of Education
Day 1, Tuesday, 1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Swan Ballroom 10
Day 2, Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Swan Ballroom 6
Day 3, Thursday, 3:10 p.m. - 4:25 p.m. Northern Hemisphere B
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
Day 1, Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Pacific Ballroom A
Day 2, Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Northern Hemisphere B
Day 3, Thursday, 10:50 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. Southern Hemisphere II
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
Day 2, Wednesday, 3:55 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. Southern Hemisphere II
Day 3, Thursday, 3:25 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. Swan Ballroom 6
Day 4, Friday, 10:05 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. Northern Hemisphere B
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
Day 2, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Northern Hemisphere A
Day 3, Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Northern Hemisphere A
Day 4, Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Northern Hemisphere D
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
Day 2, Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. -1:45 p.m. Pacific Ballroom C
Day 3, Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Pacific Ballroom A
Day 4, Friday, 8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Pacific Ballroom C
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.