1.  Introduction to U.S. Federal Student Aid

Introduces the basic concepts and language of U.S. federal student aid (FSA), talks about the background of the programs, and notes the information resources available to financial aid personnel and the public.

Overview of the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program

Provides a general overview of the FFEL program and its applicability to U.S. students attending eligible foreign schools. You will be able to print a list of Web sites that can be used for further exploration into the subject.

Federal Student Aid Concepts

This lesson introduces the basic concepts and the language of student aid.

Federal Student Aid Roles and Responsibilities

Provides an overview of "Who's Who and What They Do" in the field of postsecondary U.S. federal student financial aid.

2.  School Requirements to Participate in U.S. Federal Student Aid

Shows how ED evaluates a school's capability to properly administer U.S. Title IV funds before approving foreign schools to participate in the FFEL programs; describes the audits and reviews used to check the school's continuing eligibility to participate.

Requirements to Participate in FFEL Programs

Outlines Title IV school and program eligibility standards, describes steps schools must follow for initial certification and recertification, and identifies conditions that may affect a school's eligibility to participate in the FFEL programs.

Additional Foreign Graduate Medical and Veterinary School Requirements

Describes the additional eligibility requirements for foreign graduate and medical schools and foreign veterinary schools participating in the FFEL programs.

Audits, Reviews, and Self-Evaluation

Describes the five types of reviews that are performed at schools to assess their compliance with federal student aid law and regulations.

3.  Borrower Eligibility Requirements

Review the general and FFEL program-specific eligibility criteria that must be checked for each student receiving U.S. federal student aid.

Student Borrower Eligibility Requirements

Shows the requirements for student borrowers to participate in the U.S. FFEL federal student loan program at foreign schools.

Parent and Graduate/Professional Borrower Eligibility Requirements

Shows the requirements for parent and graduate/professional borrowers to participate in the U.S. FFEL federal student loan program at foreign schools.

4.  U.S. Federal Aid Application Process

Describes the application process using the FAFSA, explains how it is used in determining eligibility for U.S. federal student aid.

Applying for Federal Student Aid

Explains how a student completes and submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal student aid (FSA).

Managing the Federal Student Aid Application Process

Traces the steps of the Title IV aid application process.

Federal Need Analysis

Introduces the principal components of federal need analysis methodology, an Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and how to apply professional judgment.

Using SARs and ISIRs

Introduces the two major need-analysis "output documents" - the Student Aid Report (SAR) and the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR).

5.  Determining a Borrower's FFEL Program Eligibility

Describes the functions a school must perform in determining students' eligibility before awarding them federal student aid loan funds from the FFEL program.

Figuring Cost of Attendance and Financial Need

Shows how a school uses the U.S. federal formula for need combined with its own cost of attendance to calculate a student's financial need.

Packaging a Student's Federal Student Aid Award

Shows how to check that a student meets general and program-specific eligibility requirements for a school to correctly award U.S. FFEL program funds to the student.

Awarding and Certifying FFELs

Shows how to calculate the eligible loan amount for FFEL borrowers, and reviews the loan application process.

6.  Disbursement of FFEL Proceeds

Describes the correct procedures for disbursing U.S. federal financial aid funds to borrowers.

Checking Enrollment Status, Academic Progress, and Loan Limits

Demonstrates how a school must check a student's enrollment status, academic eligibility, and outstanding loan amounts before awarding FFEL funds.

Making FFEL Awards and Payments to Continuing Students

Describes procedures for determining award amounts and payment dates for FFEL borrowers as well as disbursement rules.

Student Loan Counseling and Beyond

Describes loan counseling requirements for FFEL borrowers.

7.  Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

Describes a school's responsibilities for managing and reporting on the use of federal funds and maintaining records.

Student Consumer Information

Describes the types of information that schools must provide to current and prospective students, and how to provide that information.

Recordkeeping Requirements

Identifies records that schools must keep to document school and program eligibility, student eligibility, administration of the FFEL program, as well as storage and retention requirements.

Reporting Requirements

Identifies reports schools must complete for the FFEL program, ED's financial management system, and NSLDS enrollment reporting.

Reporting a Student's Financial Aid History

Describes the functions and contents of the National Student Loan System (NSLDS) and schools' responsibilities to provide data to the system or the guaranty agency.

8.  Return of FFEL Funds When a Student Withdraws From School

Treatment of Funds When a Student Withdraws

Shows what financial aid administrators do when a student who was awarded and disbursed (or could have been disbursed) Title IV aid doesn't complete a payment period or a period of enrollment.