News to Know Office of Student Financial Assistance Florida Department of Education January 2005

Thank You l On behalf of the Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Assistance, we would like to thank you for your continued support of the Florida Guaranteed Loan Program and State Program/Scholarships. We are truly excited about working with you and look forward to sharing some exciting new changes with you in 2005.

Registration Rush l January is one of those hectic times in the Financial Aid Office. As always, if you need on site assistance, please do not hesitate to call on your Outreach Team Representative. We will be more than happy to come on site and pitch in!

College Goal Sunday l College Goal Sunday will give you FREE advice about filling out financial aid forms and how to qualify for the more than $60 billion in available grants and loans. l For more info, visit their website at: – – Feb. 13, to 4 p.m.

Mapping Your Future l Mapping Your Future is hosting a financial aid, FAFSA, and career chat event on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 7 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. Central, 5 p.m. Mountain, and 4 p.m. Pacific. See the press release at future.org/sponsors/forums/uploads/myfccc/ _122911_011105ChatPR.htm for more details. future.org/sponsors/forums/uploads/myfccc/ _122911_011105ChatPR.htm

Military Forbearance Q&A l Q: To provide relief for troops in Iraq, borrowers are not required to provide documentation supporting a military mobilization forbearance of up to one year (plus an additional three months of administrative forbearance). After that initial 15-month period, the borrower would need to provide a copy of the mobilization orders to qualify for an extension of the forbearance. (Federal Register Vol. 68, No. 239, p [December 12, 2003]). However, Dear Colleague Letter GEN , dated March 25, 2003, specifically states that in addition to the orders, the lender must also obtain a written forbearance agreement with the borrower. The problem is that borrowers in Iraq are virtually inaccessible. To provide relief for those mobilized, it seems inconsistent that DCL would contain a requirement that is more stringent than the regulations. l A. Jon Utz from Policy Liaison and Implementation responded as follows: "...the December 2003 waiver notice [Federal Register Vol. 68, No 239, p ] is what would apply in this situation. That notice effectively superseded the March 2003 DCL in this area. Therefore, there is no requirement for a written forbearance agreement after the initial 15 months. All the lender needs is some sort of documentation to support the borrower's military mobilization beyond the initial period."

Dear Colleague Letter GEN l For more information regarding DCL GEN informing schools that additional copies of the FAFSA will become available in December; and requests assistance in reducing the use of paper FAFSA’s as electronic filing increases, please visit the website: –

Return to Title IV Aid Guidance Changed l For more information regarding the change to guidance that was provided in Dear Colleague Letter GEN on the application of the Return of Title IV Aid requirements for schools that are required to take attendance, please visit the link below: – 12.html 12.html

ISIR Guide l The ISIR Guide is now available on line at: l gov/repository/ISIRGu ide0506Nov/0506ISIR Guide-FINAL.pdf gov/repository/ISIRGu ide0506Nov/0506ISIR Guide-FINAL.pdf

School Electronic Process Guide l The Electronic Process Guide is now available on line at: l gov/repository/School Elec0506Nov/0506Sc hoolElectronicProcess Guide.pdf gov/repository/School Elec0506Nov/0506Sc hoolElectronicProcess Guide.pdf

NSLDS Submission l OSFA’s monthly submission for December 2004 was transmitted and processed by NSLDS on December 22, This transmission contained data extracted from our system on December 20, 2004 and appeared on the NSLDS system December 23, l We are also pleased to announce that in January 2005 we will begin bi-monthly NSLDS submissions!

Loan Originations Staff l In addition to Tangela, Allie, and Debby, the Loan Originations area have other specialists who are here to serve you. We have enclosed a brief profile, as well as their contact information, for your review. Please do not hesitate to call on one of them, if the need arises!

Loan Originations Staff Profiles l Allie Gamble Willis – One of OSFA's longest serving employees, Ms. Willis has a wealth of knowledge about the student loan industry. Her familiarity with Federal Regulations, the Common Manual and OSFA's computer system make her a valuable resource to OSFA and our customers. – Allie can be reached at or

Loan Originations Staff Profiles l Tangela Collins – Mrs. Collins has worked in the student loan industry for more than a decade. She has served the state of Florida through her employment both at EDS (on behalf of OSFA) and at OSFA since Tangela's exceptional customer service has won her the praise of innumerable students and schools. – Tangela can be reached at or

Loan Originations Staff Profiles l Debby Terfinko – Mrs.Terfinko has worked in nearly every area of Federal Programs. Her experience with NSLDS, default issues and resolving borrower complaints make her a great addition to the Loan Guarantee Unit. – Debby can be reached at or

Loan Originations Staff Profiles l Tope Dehinbu – As a recent (1999) FAMU graduate Ms. Dehinbu brings a student's perspective to her work at OSFA. She understands financial aid and is available to assist schools in clearing up loan rejects as quickly as possible. – Tope can be reached at or

Loan Originations Staff Profiles l Tammy Lynn – Mrs. Lynn is our newest employee but in her almost two years with OSFA she has already learned a great deal. Anytime you have a question about aggregate limits, she's the one to ask. – Tammy can be reached at or

Important Dates l January 19-21, 2005 – Clock Hours School Workshop – Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL l January 24-26, 2005 – New Aid Officers Workshop – Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL l February 13-16, 2005 – SASFAA Conference – Atlanta, GA l March 22-24, 2005 – 2005 SFA Spring Conference – Sparks, NV l June 8-10, 2005 – FASFAA Spring 2005 Conference – Miami Beach, FL For more information about these events, and other future events, please visit

Mission Statement l The Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA), serves as a guarantor for the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), and the administrator of Florida’s scholarship and grant programs. The OSFA Mission is to facilitate higher education access and services by providing exemplary customer attention, comprehensive financial aid information, and convenient and efficient products.

Outreach Team Contact Information l Ernest Smith, Director of Market Development n l Jacqueline Hill, Default Prevention Manager and Outreach Representative n l Karen Hurrell, Senior Outreach Representative n l Lori Auxier, Manager of Outreach Services and Outreach Representative n l Stephanie Durdley, Outreach Representative n l Armando Salas-Amaro, Outreach Representative n

Regional Outreach Representative Contact Information l Customer Service is our #1 Priority! Call us today! l Lori Auxier, Manager of Outreach Services and OSFA Outreach Representative – 3715 Kirkwood Circle – Boynton Beach, FL – (office) – (cellular) –