New Aid Officer Training Susan A Smith Gainesville State College References: FSA Handbook Vol.1 Student Eligibility FSA Application and Verification Guide

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Student must: – Demonstrate financial need – Have a high school diploma, a GED, pass an approved ability-to-benefit test or complete a high school education in a home school program – Be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program at an eligible institution – Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen – Have a valid Social Security number (SSN) Eligibility for Title IV Aid Ref: Ch. 1 School-Determined Requirements 2

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Student must: – If male, be registered with Selective Service – Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards established at the institution – Certify that they are not in default on a federal student loan – Certify that they do not owe money on a federal student grant – Certify that they will use federal student aid only for educational purposes Eligibility for Title IV Aid Ref: Ch. 1 School-Determined Requirements 3

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Student must: – Not have borrowed in excess of annual or aggregate loan limits – Not have property subject to lien for debt owed to the U.S. – Not have been convicted, or pled no contest or guilty to, a crime involving fraud in obtaining Title IV Funds Ineligible until fraudulently obtained funds are completely repaid to DOE or lender. Eligibility for Title IV Aid Ref: Ch. 1 School-Determined Requirements 4

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Student eligibility is affected by: – Remedial Coursework (no credit) – Preparatory Coursework (loans only, 1 year) – Teacher Certification Coursework (FWS and loans) – Prior Degrees (loans, very limited Pell*) – Enrollment Status (award based on hours) – Incarceration (FSEOG or FWS, Pell local*) – Correspondence Study (independent study) Eligibility for Title IV Aid Ref: Ch. 1 School-Determined Requirements 5

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Is the student a U.S. Citizen? CPS performs a database match with the Social Security Administration to confirm – Name – Date of birth – U.S. citizenship status – Social Security number Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 6

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Did it match? On the SAR and ISIR, CPS reports one of the following: 1.Successful Match 2.Student’s SSN, name or DOB does not match Social Security records (C-flags 63, 64) 3.Citizenship not confirmed (C-flag 146) Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 7

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Student’s SSN, name or DOB does not match Social Security records – Student should correct the FAFSA (or resubmit with correct SSN) – If correct on FAFSA, student must contact SSA to have their record corrected – Student may provide documentation to FAA Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 8

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Citizenship not confirmed Student must provide documentation to FAA – Birth Certificate – U.S. Passport – Certificate of Naturalization – Certificate of Citizenship (citizen through parent) – State Department Form for Birth Abroad Or File as an eligible noncitizen… Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 9

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Is the student an eligible noncitizen? CPS performs a “Primary Verification” database match with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – A-Number – Name – Date of birth – Social Security number Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 10

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Did it match? On the SAR and ISIR, CPS reports one of the following: 1.Successful Match 2.Not enough information since A-number was not provided (C-flag 142) 3.Status not confirmed (C-flags 46, 105, 109, 141, 144) Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 11

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Not enough information since A-Number was not provided – Student should provide documentation with their A-Number to the FAA – Compare A-Number to ISIR; if appropriate have student correct it on their FAFSA and resubmit so that the match can be conducted Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 12

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Status not confirmed – Student should provide documentation with their A- Number and date of birth to the FAA – FAA should wait 5 to 15 days for the “Automated Secondary Confirmation” to be completed – a new ISIR will be sent – “Automated Secondary Confirmation” Match Flags are Y C, N, or X Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 13

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Status not confirmed and “Automated Secondary Confirmation” Match Flags are C, N, or X “Paper Secondary Confirmation” is required – Complete Form G-845 – Attach copies of the front and back sides of the student’s immigration document – Mail to:U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 10 Fountain Plaza, 3 rd Floor, Buffalo, NY Attn: Immigration Status Verification Unit (Allow 10 to 15 business days for a response.) Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 14

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Interpreting the USCIS response to G-845 – Lawful Permanent Resident alien of the U.S. – Conditional Resident alien of the U.S. – Refugee under Section 207 of the INA – Asylee under Section 208 of the INA – Alien who is a Cuban/Haitian entrant – Alien who is a conditional entrant Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 15

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Interpreting the USCIS response to G-845 – not eligible for FSA funds – Alien who is a nonimmigrant – Alien authorized employment – Alien not authorized employment in the U.S. Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 16

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Interpreting the USCIS response to G-845 – may be eligible with additional documentation – Alien paroled into the U.S. – Alien who has an application pending If the USCIS does not return the G-845 with one of the responses listed, review USCIS Comments for reason. Database Matches Ref: Ch. 2 Citizenship 17

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Has a student defaulted on an FSA loan, exceeded loan limits, filed for bankruptcy, or have they been overpaid FSA funds? CPS performs a database match with the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to determine any relevant information – Name – Date of birth – Social Security Number Database Matches Ref: Ch. 3 NSLDS Financial Aid History 18

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Did it match? On the SAR and ISIR, CPS reports one of the following: 1.Successful Match 2.Partial Match (C-flag 138) 3.Not in database 4.No relevant history 5.Processing problem (C-flags 132, 135, 136, 254, 255, 256, 260, 115, 116, 133) Database Matches Ref: Ch. 3 NSLDS Financial Aid History 19

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Partial Match: Student’s SSN is in NLSDS database, but name or DOB does not match what was reported on the FAFSA – Student should correct the FAFSA if inaccurate – If correct on FAFSA, FAA should contact NSLDS Customer Support at to resolve (will need student’s Social Security Card) Database Matches Ref: Ch. 3 NSLDS Financial Aid History 20

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Processing problem: default on an FSA loan – Student may repay loan in full or consolidate – Satisfactory repayment arrangements and six consecutive, full, voluntary payments on time – Loan rehabilitation with nine full, voluntary payments on time within 10 consecutive months Database Matches Ref: Ch. 3 NSLDS Financial Aid History 21

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Processing problem: exceeded loan limits – FAA should recalculate and verify amounts received – Student may repay the extra amount borrowed – Student may make satisfactory repayment arrangements to the loan holder Database Matches Ref: Ch. 3 NSLDS Financial Aid History 22

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Processing problem: filed for bankruptcy – Student must provide documentation indicating that the loan is discharged or dischargeable while in an active bankruptcy status (page 1-48) Database Matches Ref: Ch. 3 NSLDS Financial Aid History 23

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Processing problem: overpaid FSA funds – Student must repay the overpayment of FSA funds Database Matches Ref: Ch. 3 NSLDS Financial Aid History 24

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Is a male student registered with Selective Service? CPS performs a database match with the Selective Service System to confirm – Last Name – Date of birth – Social Security number Database Matches Ref: Ch. 5 Selective Service 25

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Did it match? On the SAR and ISIR, CPS reports one of the following: 1.Successful Match 2.Registration not confirmed (C-flag 30) 3.Unsuccessful registration (C-flags 33, 57) Database Matches Ref: Ch. 5 Selective Service 26

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Registration not confirmed – If female, student should correct FAFSA – Register – Provide evidence that he is registered ( – Provide evidence that he is exempt from registration Database Matches Ref: Ch. 5 Selective Service 27

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? Unsuccessful registration – If name and date of birth is missing, CPS will not forward to SSS; student should correct FAFSA – Student is over 26, but never registered; FAA must determine if non-registration was knowing and willful DD 214 Student should request a status information letter from the Selective Service Database Matches Ref: Ch. 5 Selective Service 28

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Is the student a veteran? CPS performs a database match with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to confirm – Name – Date of birth – Social Security number Database Matches Application and Verification Guide 29

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Did it match? On the SAR and ISIR, CPS reports one of the following: 1.Successful Match 2.VA did not confirm (C-flags 162, 173, 180) Database Matches Application and Verification Guide 30

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? VA did not confirm – Provide DD 214 – If currently active duty, edit FAFSA: “Yes” to Q49 and “No” to Q50 – If not a veteran, edit FAFSA: “No” to Q50 and provide parental information Database Matches Application and Verification Guide 31

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Has the student had a drug conviction? The student self-certifies on the FAFSA Q23. Have you been convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid? 1.No 2.Yes (C-flags 053, 054, 056, 058) Drug Conviction Ref: Ch. 1 School-Determined Requirements 32

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the c-flags be resolved? If left blank, student should answer question and resubmit FAFSA If “Yes”, student should complete the Drug Conviction Worksheet and submit to FAA s/ Drug%20WorksheetFINAL.pdf Drug Conviction Ref: Ch. 1 School-Determined Requirements 33

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility Possession of illegal drugs Sale of illegal drugs 1 st offense1 year from date of conviction 2 years from date of conviction 2 nd offense2 years from date of conviction Indefinite period 3+ offensesIndefinite period Drug Conviction: Ineligibility of FSA Ref: Ch. 1 School-Determined Requirements 34

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility How can the student regain eligibility? The day after the period of ineligibility ends When student successfully completes a qualified drug rehabilitation program Conviction is reversed, set aside, or removed from their record Passes two unannounced drug tests given by a drug rehabilitation program Drug Conviction Ref: Ch. 1 School-Determined Requirements 35

New Aid Officer Training General Title IV Eligibility If your school has conflicting information for a student or you have any reason to believe his application is incorrect, you must resolve such discrepancies before disbursing FSA funds. Discrepancies may occur between – Campus offices – FAFSA transactions – Documents submitted by the student Conflicting Information Ref: Ch. 1 School-Determined Requirements 36

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