Office of Student Financial Assistance | June 23 – 24, 2015
2015-2016
Clantha McCurdy Senior Deputy Commissioner
Robert Brun Associate Commissioner
Alison ConnollyAssistant Director – Student Loan Programs
Oliver McArdleSenior Program Manager
PRESENTERS
2015-2016
8:30 – 9:00 Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome & Introductions
9:15 – 9:45 DHE Policies & Legislative Update /OSFA Year in Review
9:45 – 10:45 State Financial Aid Programs Review
10:45 – 11:00 Break
11:00 – 12:30 Financial Aid Programs Review (Continued)
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 No Interest Loan Program Review
Workshop Agenda
2015 - 2016
2015-2016
Public College Financial Aid Programs
Public College Programs
Need-base grant awarded to full or part-time students
$27 million allocated in FY 2015 – level funding in FY 2016
Approximately 30,000 assisted each year
Campus allocation is formula-driven
New funding model implemented in FY2012
Model is based on a formula that considers three-year average of key factors:
- Institutional enrollment- EFC = O – Pell EFC – (revised annually, as required)- EFC = Pell to 10,000 (equivalent to median income)
Cash Grant Program
Public College Programs
Notification of FY 2016 Allocations sent to campuses in mid-May
Funds scheduled for two equal disbursements, fall and spring (anticipated for September and January)
Funds may be awarded to full and part-time students
Grants may be awarded up to the cost of tuition/fees (student)
Institutions are required to reconcile and submit an aggregate report to OSFA at close of each fiscal year
Cash Grant Program
Public College Programs
Over 26 various waivers offered annually
Cost to the Commonwealth generally exceeds $50 million
List of more popular waivers include the following: John & Abigail Adams Scholarship Need-Based Tuition Waiver Categorical Waivers Foster Child Tuition Waiver Adopted Child Tuition Waiver Valedictorian Waiver National Guard Waiver Paul Tsongas Tuition Scholarship Waiver Mass Transfer Tuition Waiver
Tuition Waivers
Public College Programs
Need-Based Waiver is the largest of all waiver programs, averaging $19m annually
FY 2016 allocation for the Need-Based Waiver is based on new funding model (identical to formula used for the Cash Grant)
Expenditure level periodically increased to reflect changes in enrollment and eligibility demands
Over the year, OSFA has clarified the FAFSA requirement for certain waivers via the Dear Colleague letter
Institutions are required to reconcile and report all awarded waivers as part of the annual year-end data submission
Year-End Financial Aid Data File will include identifier for a larger number of the waiver programs
Tuition Waivers
Public College Programs
Implemented in 2004 - with a cohort of 13,000 students designated to receive scholarship in first year of college, starting fall 2005
Approximately 18,000 designated annually in the last four years – which seems to have peaked
Roughly 30% of students from each new class take advantage of the scholarship
Award equals value of tuition only – ranging up to $1,742
Recipient must enroll full-time
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 minimum to maintain scholarship
John & Abigail Adams Scholarship
Public College Programs
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
Public College Programs
BHE approved amended guidelines in March 2011 Incorporates the Science Test as a selection criteria,
effective with high school graduation class of 2016▪ Student must achieve at least one advanced score and at
least proficient on other tests, which when combined, must rank in the top 25% of all district scores to be designated as an Adams Scholar
Provides up to six years for designated students to receive the eight semesters of tuition scholarship waiver▪ Allows greater flexibility to the student▪ Removes the “consecutive” semester enrollment requirement▪ Allows student to enroll less than full-time or not at all, and
resume eligibility upon the return to full-time status▪ Student must continue to meet all other criteria – FAFSA
Completion, GPA, etc.
John & Abigail Adams Scholarship
Public College Programs
Amended guidelines, cont’d Extends eligibility to students who do not initially
enroll in a public college or university immediately following high school graduation▪ Student may begin college at a non-public institution and
transfer to public ▪ Must transfer with a minimum 3.0 GPA▪ Student may also take a “gap” year or simply delay
enrollment▪ Student is no longer eligible once the six year mark after
graduation is reached Grants appeal approval to Commissioner’s “designee”
▪ All appeals for continued eligibility will be handled by OSFA ▪ Appeals granted if extenuating or unusual circumstances
can be documented. Students should not be encouraged to appeal if circumstances do not meet criteria
John & Abigail Adams Scholarship
Public College Programs
Duplicate letters of eligibility are available from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (781) 338-3625 OR (781) 338-3640
Adams Appeals may be submitted to the following: Adams Scholarship Committee
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education454 Broadway, Suite 200Revere, MA 02151
Evidence of extenuating circumstances required Must include appeal, copy of transcript and
documentation to support extenuating circumstance
John & Abigail Adams Scholarship
Public College Programs
Applies to Veterans, Senior Citizens and Native
Americans
Recipient may possess a prior bachelor’s degree –
Senior Citizens Waiver
Institution must waive state-supported courses
Encouraged to waive non-state supported costs
Courses must be applied to an eligible certificate or
degree program
Requires recipient to be matriculated
Categorical Waivers
2015-2016
Financial Aid Programs
Financial Aid Programs
Created in FY 2006 with a $1m initial appropriation; funding grew to $4 million in FY 2008 and FY 2009
Average expenditure is approximately $3.4 million last three fiscal years, anticipate similar funding in FY 2016
Awards cover cost of tuition, fees and some related costs for up to three courses (9 credits) per semester for an undergraduate program, where appropriate
One-year minimum employment as an early educator or provider for eligibility
Award values will remain unchanged in 2015-2016, but a credit limit may be imposed
Early Childhood Educators Scholarship
Financial Aid Programs
Maximum award amounts
Public University $500 per credit, maximum of $4,500 per semester
Private College/University $500 per credit, maximum of $4,500 per semester
State University $400 per credit, maximum of $3,600 per semester
Community College $250 per credit, maximum of $2,250 per semester
2016-17 Application – April 1, 2016 – June 1, 2016
Early Childhood Educators Scholarship
Financial Aid Programs
ECE Scholarship fully integrated into MASSAid System
From OSFA website under the ECE Scholarship program or Student Portal - applicant selects:
How Do I Apply? …….and must follow prompts below:
MANDATORY REQUIREMENT: If you have not already done so, please complete the 2016-2017 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
MANDATORY REQUIREMENT: If you do not already have a MASSAid account you may click here to create a MASSAid Student Portal account
MANDATORY REQUIREMENT: Applicants must have an EEC Professional Qualifications Registry Number to be considered for the ECE Scholarship.Applicants who do not have an EEC PQ Registry Number will need to follow this link to the PQ Registry: https://www.eec.state.ma.us/PQRegistry/
MANDATORY REQUIREMENT: Complete your 2016-2017 ECE Scholarship application in the MASSAid Student Portal system
Early Childhood Educators Scholarship
Financial Aid Programs
Institutions may complete certification and payment process online via the MASSAid system
Certification opens: August 24, 2015 – Fall January 25, 2016 - Spring
Similar to process used for the MASSGrant program, certification and request for payment may be controlled by institution – within dates set by OSFA
Institutions should assign a contact for the ECE Scholarship program within the MASSAid system
Institution can also review student award status in MASSAid
Early Childhood Educators Scholarship
Financial Aid Programs
Early Childhood Educators Scholarship
Financial Aid Programs
Provides grants to currently employed public school paraprofessionals who wish to become certified to teach at K-12 level
Recipients must meet a two-year minimum employment requirement as a paraprofessional in a Massachusetts public K-12 school
Grants may be awarded to paraprofessionals with less than two years of employment if enrolled in a high-need discipline (Mathematics, Science, Foreign Language)
Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Grants are awarded on a per credit basis, with a maximum semester/year total determined by institution type - public or private
Recipients must teach for a specified time, based on number of semesters awarded
An average of 400 students participate in this program annually
Paraprofessional Teachers Preparation Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Maximum award amounts
Public University $625 per credit, maximum of $7,500 per academic year
Private College/University $625 per credit, maximum of $7,500 per semester
State University $450 per credit, maximum of $6,000 per semester
Community College $250 per credit, maximum of $4,000 per semester
2016-17 Application available - April 1, 2016 - June 1, 2016
Paraprofessional Teachers Preparation Grant
Financial Aid Programs
2015-16, PTPG integrated into MASSAid System From OSFA website under the PTPG program or Student Portal - applicant selects:
How Do I Apply?........and must follow links below:
Paraprofessionals interested in applying for the grant must complete the following: MANDATORY REQUIREMENT: If you have not already done so, please complete the
2014-2015 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
MANDATORY REQUIREMENT: If you do not already have a MASSAid accountyou may click here to create a MASSAid Student Portal account
MANDATORY REQUIREMENT: Complete your 2014-2015 Paraprofessional Teachers Preparation Grantapplication in the MASSAid Student Portal system
Paraprofessional Teachers Preparation Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Institutions must complete the PTPG certification and payment process online in the MASSAid system
Similar to process used for MASSGrant program, certification and request for payment may be controlled by institution – within dates set by OSFA
Certification opens August 24, 2015 - Fall January 26, 2016 - Spring
Institutions should assign a contact for the PTPG program within the MASSAid system
Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Paraprofessional Teachers Preparation Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Formula allocation
Student EFC = 0-5198 (Pell Eligible)
6-11 Credits (or the equivalent)
Eligible Degree or Certificate Program
Awards Range from $200 - $850 (based on
institution)
Student may receive maximum award in one semester
2015-2016 Institution Application currently available –
Deadline July 24, 2015
Part-Time Grant
Financial Aid Programs
SCHOOL TYPE AWARD EFC
INDEPENDENT $200 $850 0 - 5198
PUBLIC UNIVERSITY $200 $750 0 - 5198
PUBLIC STATE UNIVERSITY $200 $550 0 - 5198
COMMUNITY COLLEGE $200 $450 0 - 5198
NURSING $200 $400 0 - 5198
PROPRIETARY $200 $300 0 - 5198
VOC TECH $200 $250 0 - 5198
Part-Time Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Institutional allocation – formula-driven and based
on a three-year average, beginning 2013-2014
2015-2016 Institution Applications currently
available – Deadline July 17, 2015
Recipients must meet all eligibility criteria,
including full-time enrollment
$200 - $2500 annual maximum award
Recipient must demonstrate a $500 minimum
need to be eligible
Year-End data required and matched
Gilbert Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Deadlines for Year-End reconciliation reports and for continued participation in State programs based on allocations are as follows:
July 17, 2015 - Gilbert Grant Program
July 24, 2015 - Part-Time Grant Program
July 31, 2015 - Cash Grant & Need-Based Tuition Waiver
Program Deadlines
Financial Aid Programs
Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship
Financial Aid Programs
Competitive scholarship awarded to students who have encountered unusual hardships or extenuating circumstances
Twenty-five high school (sophomore or junior) students are selected to receive scholarships upon earning a high school diploma annually
Scholarship is portable to colleges throughout the U.S.
About one-third of the recipients are enrolled in colleges outside Massachusetts each year
Massachusetts award an average of $1 million in scholarships to students annually
Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship
Financial Aid Programs
Institution asked to complete Herter Financial Aid Information Form to establish Cost of Attendance and need
Award process initiated once fiscal year budget is approved
Herter used to meet unmet need – and reduce loan debt, if appropriate
Funds are disbursed via (paper) check and EFT in late August for fall; late December for spring
Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship
Financial Aid Programs
Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship
Financial Aid Programs
Originally funded in FY2013
To be eligible for the MHDS, a student must be enrolled in a high demand degree program in a Massachusetts public institution
The purpose of the program is to encourage degree completion in high demand disciplines helping to address workforce needs in the Commonwealth
The scholarship supports training and degree completion in disciplines that are deemed to be critical shortage areas (ex. Nursing, Sciences, Engineering, IT)
High Demand Scholarship Program
Financial Aid Programs
The High Demand Scholarship Program has seen reduced appropriation since its inception in FY2013 Currently there is no new application process
available and awards are made for previous recipients who are persisting in approved high demand fields
High Demand Scholarship Program
FY2013 FY2014 FY2015
Students Award Students Award Students Award
799$2,035,50
0595 $621,351 292 $606,675
Financial Aid Programs
High Demand Scholarship Awards
Academic Year
Sector Half Time Award Full Time Award
Spring 2013 Community College $1,000 $2,000
State University $1,375 $2,750
University of Massachusetts $1,625 $3,250
Spring 2014 Community College $806 $806
State University $1,031 $1,031
University of Massachusetts $1,181 $1,181
Spring 2015 Community College $600 $1,200
State University $975 $1,950
University of Massachusetts $1,225 $2,450
Since the programs inception, scholarship recipients have received awards for the Spring semester only
2014-2015
Programs for Adopted and Foster Children
Financial Aid Programs
Adopted and Foster Child Fee Assistance Program
Provides for full tuition and fee waivers, based upon legislative appropriation, for foster children in the custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and children adopted through this agency that choose to attend a Massachusetts public institution of higher education
Program was initially funded in FY 2010 Fee waiver awards are generally paid out as
reimbursements for eligible billed fees. FY2014 was the first year where 100% of all
eligible fees were reimbursed. The number of students assisted each year has
shown a steady increase , growing from 550 in FY 2010 to just over 900 students in FY 2015
Financial Aid Programs
Adopted and Foster Child Fee Assistance Program
Financial Aid ProgramsAdopted and Foster Child Fee Assistance Program
The Adopted and Foster Child Fee Assistance Program fully migrated to the MASSAid system in Spring 2015
All Spring 2015 eligibility determination and awarding was done through MASSAid
Fall 2015 processing will begin on September 1, 2015 and extend until November 15, 2015. Spring processing will open in early 2016
Due to limited appropriation, OSFA will review any students submitted after the MASSAid deadline on a funds available basis with no guarantee of fee assistance awards
With the migration to MASSAid, all DCF eligibility documentation submissions are tracked by the system
Financial Aid Programs
Adopted and Foster Child Fee Assistance Program
Financial Aid Programs
Adopted and Foster Child Fee Assistance Program
Financial Aid Programs
Adopted and Foster Child Fee Assistance Program
Financial Aid Programs
Adopted and Foster Child Fee Assistance Program FAQ’s
Students must be 24 or under as of September 1, 2015 to receive funding during 2015-2016 If they turn 25 during the academic year they may continue to
participate
Out of state students who were adopted through MA DCF by an eligible MA resident or eligible MA state employee may participate in the fee assistance program Out of state students must have a current FAFSA on file and have
submitted DCF eligibility documentation to their campus Out of state students are only eligible for fee assistance
equivalent to the in state resident rate and are responsible for any billed fees above that amount
Campus must submit a hard copy of the students FAFSA to OSFA to complete eligibility review
Adopted and Foster Child Fee Waiver Program
Financial Aid Programs
Adopted and Foster Child Fee Assistance Program
Financial Aid Programs
Adopted and Foster Child Fee Assistance Program FAQ’s (cont).
Students cannot receive fee assistance for summer credits
DCF eligibility documentation must originate from the Department of Children and Families. OSFA has no ability to provide this documentation to students Students should contact DCF to obtain their eligibility
document
Students can use fee assistance funds for international credits, but only if the credits are considered state supported Campus must be collecting tuition and fees on behalf of the
Commonwealth and not the international institution.
Adopted and Foster Child Fee Waiver Program
Financial Aid Programs
Awarded as a “Last Dollar” grant
Requires student to sign an extended Care and Protection Agreement with DCF
Maximum award = $6,000
Grant is portable within the USA
Grant used to meet need and/or replace loans
Average of 250 students awarded annually
Foster Child Grant
Financial Aid Programs
File of eligible students is uploaded to MASSAid by Department of Children and Families (DCF)
A Foster Child Grant record is created for all students on the DCF list who have a FAFSA on file
Letters are generated for students who have an ineligible condition
Ineligible conditions that are specific to FCG : dependent student, age cut-off
Foster Child Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Foster Child Grant
Award Rules
Financial Aid Programs
Foster Child Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Foster Child Grant
Financial Aid Information Sheet
Financial Aid Programs
Foster Child GrantFinancial Aid Information Sheet
Financial Aid Programs
Eligible students who demonstrate need are automatically packaged at the time schools submit financial aid data
Students who are packaged go to a “Ready to Certify” status
Schools separately certify each student’s eligibility for the program
Foster Child Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Foster Child Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Foster Child Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Foster Child Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Foster Child Grant
Financial Aid Programs
Foster Child Grant
Program Participation Agreement & Attestation Requirements
Participation Agreement
Last Program Participation Agreement was signed by eligible institutions as of award year 2013-2014
Participation Agreement extends eligibility from July 1 to June 30 of each award year
Institutions that have remained eligible for State financial aid programs will receive a letter of continuance of the above Participation Agreement for award year 2015-2016
The letter of continuance will be mailed to schools prior to July 1
2015-2016 Program Participation Agreement
MASSAid
States that currently have reciprocity agreements with Massachusetts include:
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Vermont
Pennsylvania
District of Columbia
The absence of reciprocity does not affect all state financial aid programs
Reciprocity Agreements with other states
Attestation Requirements
Letters specifying each institution’s FY15 attestation requirement have been mailed
A school either has to submit a copy of its Title IV Audit Report or a Compliance Attestation Report of Massachusetts State financial programs
Attestation or audit reports are due 6-9 months following the end of the institution’s fiscal year
The OSFA Attestation Guide last updated in June 2014 remains in effect and is available on OSFA’s website
Fiscal Year 2015 Attestation Requirements
Attestation Requirements
Institutions will continue to electronically submit their attestation reports to OSFA via the Executive Office of Education’s Drop Box at:
https://gateway.edu.state.ma.us/
To add or remove EOE Drop Box users, institutions should submit requests to:
Judi Kennedy
OR
Robert Brun
Fiscal Year 2015 Attestation Requirements
Staying the Course
MASSGrant
MASSGrant provided assistance to over 53,000 students in 2014-2015
As of 06/10/2015, the MASSGrant program disbursed a total of $41,634,603 (compared to $38,586,311 in 2013-2014, around same time)
2014-2015 MASSGrant year-end reconciliation process begins as of July 1
2014-2015 MASSGrant year-end reconciliation is to be completed by mid August
Any refund owed by a school as a result of year-end reconciliation will automatically carry over to the 2015-2016 award year, until resolved by the institution
2014-2015 Highlights and Activities
MASSGrant
EFC Range Number of Students
% of Population
0-200 31,141 58.35%
201-500 1,716 3.22%
501-1000 2,569 4.81%
1001-1500 2,542 4.76%
1501-2000 2,488 4.66%
2001-2500 2,368 4.44%
2501-3000 2,206 4.13%
3001-3500 2,177 4.08%
3501-4000 2,029 3.80%
4001-4500 1,908 3.58%
4501-5157 2,226 4.17%
53,370
Distribution of 2014-2015 MASSGrant Paid Group by EFC Range
MASSGrant
To date, OSFA has loaded over 280,000 unduplicated ISIR records
OSFA already has mailed over 193,000 MASSGrant ineligible letters
Students receive an e-mail notification of the letter as soon as it is generated
Students are able to access their MASSGrant record via our Student Web Portal with a MASSAid user account
2015-2016 Processing Activities To Date
MASSGrant
Correcting 2015-2016 Ineligible Records
Students have (3) weeks to resolve all MASSGrant ineligible conditions
New ISIR correction transactions received from CPS are loaded nightly to MASSAid, as much as students and schools can make updates to existing records at any time
Students can update their MASSGrant records on-line and recalculate their eligibility when reporting the following:
a change in enrollment status
a change in school they will attend
a change in degree they are working toward
MASSGrant
Schools users have either “View Only” or “Update” access to MASSAid, as directed by financial aid offices
At the time of first logon, school users are required to change their password and recommended to register their computer
A school user is automatically locked out of the system after 3 unsuccessful login attempts
If a school needs to add/remove a user or unlock a user account, it should contact Alex Gediman or Robert Brun at [email protected] and [email protected], respectively
School Access to MASSAid
MASSGrant
MA residency discrepancy (student or parent) requires student to submit documentation directly to OSFA
Schools are able to clear the following ineligible reasons in MASSAid on behalf of students in batch format:
1. Citizenship
2. Prior Bachelor’s Degree Received
3. Answered “YES” to Drug Question
4. Loan Default and/or Owe Refund on Federal Aid
Institutions are subject to the same 21-day period to correct discrepancies on a student’s behalf
Updating Ineligible Reasons
MASSGrant
Updating Ineligible Reasons
MASSGrant
Student not meeting Massachusetts residency requirements
Parent(s) not meeting Massachusetts residency requirements
Maximum number of semesters of eligibility reached
EFC and/or dependency status could not be determined (Missing Information)
FAFSA received by Federal Processor after 05/01/2015
Expected Family Contribution exceeds 5198
MASSGrant Ineligible Reasons
MASSGrant
Applicant has prior bachelor’s degree Student’s Name, Date of Birth and/or
Social Security Number Mismatch In default of Massachusetts No
Interest Loan Christian A. Herter Memorial
Scholarship recipient Student in default of Federal Title IV
loan or owes refund on a Federal grant
MASSGrant Ineligible Reasons
MASSGrant
Student answered “yes” to question 23 on FAFSA
Student owes refund to State financial aid programs
Student enrolled less than full time (only if student had updated his/her assumed status of full-time )
Student not meeting United States citizenship status requirements
MASSGrant Ineligible Reasons
MASSGrant
85,038 students showed eligibility for 2015-2016 MASSGrant awards as of 06/12
Of those 85,038 currently eligible students, 53,092 had an EFC between 0-200
At the same point in time last year, 55,810 students had an EFC between 0-200
2015-2016 Award Notification
MASSGrant
Distribution of 0-200 EFC Group by School Type
MASSGrant
All current 2015-2016 MASSGrant award values on display on the MASSAid system are estimated
OSFA will not start mailing of 2015-2016 award letters until a FY16 scholarship budget is finalized
Award amounts and eligibility can fluctuate as new ISIR transactions are loaded to MASSAid or updates made by agency, school and/or student users
Once an actual FY16 scholarship budget is available, OSFA will publish a final 2015-2016 MASSGrant Payment Schedule
2015-2016 Award Notification
MASSGrant
Estimated Family Contribution
Mass Private
University of Massachusetts
Public State Universities
Community Colleges
Mass Proprietary
Mass Voc/Tech
Mass Nursing
Out of State
0000-0200
1700 1500 1100 900 600 500 800 300
0201-0500
800 600 600 600 600 400 600 300
0501-1000
700 500 500 500 500 400 500 300
1001-1500
600 500 500 400 400 400 400 300
1501-2000
500 400 400 400 400 400 400 300
2001-5198
400 400 400 400 400 400 400 300
5199+ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Estimated 2015-2016 Payment Schedule
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MASSGrant2015-2016 MASSGrant Certification & Payment Process
Student goes to a “Ready To Certify” status as soon as he/she is awarded in MASSAid
OSFA alerts schools as to when certification/payment of records begins and ends
Students are ready for payment as soon as they are certified as eligible
Schools have option of certifying via on-line screen or through a file download/upload process
The certification file upload process has specific file layout requirements
MASSGrant
2015-2016 MASSGrant Certification Process
MASSGrant
2015-2016 MASSGrant Certification Process
MASSGrant
2015-2016 MASSGrant Certification Process
MASSGrant
2015-2016 MASSGrant Batch Payment Roster
MASSGrant
Fall certification and payment to begin on September 14, 2015
Spring certification and payment to begin on January 18, 2016
Schools have 60 days from above dates to certify a student’s eligibility who has a “Ready to Certify” status
OSFA has the flexibility to extend the number of days for certification on a school by school basis
2015-2016 MASSGrant Certification/Payment Processes
2015-2016 MASSGrant
OSFA mostly generates payment batches on a weekly basis
MASSGrant users automatically receive an e-mail notification when OSFA generates a payment batch for their institution
A payment batch is generated for an institution as long as it has students in a “Ready to be Paid” status
Institutions that prefer to receive payment batches at times that they wish to select should contact OSFA
Payments are sent to schools directly from the Treasury
Certification/Payment Processes
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MASSGrant
MASSGrant Reconciliation
Schools are required to reconcile payment batches within 30 days of their creation
Reconciliation of MASSGrant payments can occur via an on-line screen or through a file download/upload option
The reconciliation file upload function is subject to specific file layout requirements
Any refunds associated with a change in eligibility or occasioned by the reconciliation process automatically carry over to the next payment batch, unless a check is received at OSFA for those refunds prior to the next payment batch
MASSGrant
Any payment that is not reconciled for a period of more than 30 days will result in OSFA not being able to generate the next payment batch for the institution
Schools are also required to perform a year-end payment reconciliation process
The year-end reconciliation process can occur via an on-line screen or a year-end reconciliation file download/upload option
The year-end reconciliation file download/upload option has very specific file layout requirements.
MASSGrant Reconciliation
MASSGrant
MASSGrant Payment Batch Reconciliation
MASSGrant
MASSGrant Payment Batch Reconciliation
MASSGrant
MASSGrant Year-End Reconciliation
MASSGrant
Awards previously certified as ineligible or that remain un-certified as of the expiration of the 30-day period are automatically available for requests for reinstatement
OSFA approves all requests for reinstatement based on the availability of funding
Reinstated awards must again be certified by the institution
Schools are limited to one reinstatement request of each award in each term
MASSGrant Award Reinstatement
2015- 2016
GEAR UP
Required as a condition of the Federal GEAR UP Grant
Institutions are asked to submit financial award data from all sources for every GEAR UP student
GEAR UP scholarships are awarded to students attending eligible schools in Massachusetts, NH, ME, CT, RI, VT, PA and the District of Columbia
GEAR UP students do not have to be Pell Grant eligible to qualify for a scholarship
GEAR UP Scholarship Program Facts
GEAR UP
A combination of GEAR UP scholarship and all other forms of assistance available to a student cannot exceed their cost of attendance
GEAR UP scholarship can be used to replace self-help
GEAR UP scholarship award amounts vary according to the student’s enrollment status, as follows:
Full Time $1,000
¾ Time $ 900
½ Time or Less $ 800
GEAR UP Scholarship Program Facts
GEAR UP
The GEAR UP Scholarship program awarded 1958 students in 2014-2015 for a total of $1,735,568
1735 students received assistance under the program in 2013-2014
2014-2015 GEAR UP Scholarship Highlights & Activities
Award Year # of Students Dollars Awarded
2010-2011 1315 $1,143,933
2011-2012 1516 $1,313,339
2012-2013 1498 $1,314,480
2013-2014 1735 $1,531,262
2014-2015 1958 $1,735,568
GEAR UP
All GEAR UP data reporting and student’s scholarship eligibility certification occur on-line
If a student attends multiple institutions in one award year, financial aid data will be separately reported in each term
Schools are required to certify a student’s eligibility during both the fall and spring terms
Certification during each term facilitates school’s reporting of changes to eligibility prior to disbursement
GEAR UP administrators are notified of payment batches availability via e-mail
2015-2016 GEAR UP Processing
GEAR UP
Submitting GEAR UP Financial Aid Data
MASSAid
MASSGrant
Massachusetts No Interest Loan
Early Childhood Educators Scholarship
Paraprofessional Teachers Preparation Grant
GEAR UP Scholarship Program
Foster Child Grant
Adopted and Foster Child Fee Assistance Program
Herter Scholarship is next program for migration
Migration Update
MASSAid
All programs in MASSAid share the basic ineligible conditions (i.e. MA residency, Loan Default, Citizenship, etc.)
Some programs have one or more unique conditions that can also make a student ineligible (i.e. student must be less than 22 years old when he/she receives first GEAR UP Scholarship)
Enrollment status and EFC changes reported for any student ripples through the entire MASSAid system and appropriately update that same student eligibility for any other program for which he/she has a record in that award year
Any change in eligibility will also automatically update any awards the student may have throughout MASSAid and create refunds, as appropriate
Updates Throughout MASSAid
Fy15 Year-End Data File
Fy15 year-end financial aid data file layout will be available on-line by July 10
Very few changes are expected in the FY15 file
layout
Fy15 year-end data file submission will begin on August 10
Deadline for submitting FY15 year-end data file is November 2
Target Dates
OSFA State Programs Refund Form
New format enables OSFA to place all currently administered state financial aid programs on a single form from which schools can choose
School will select an aid program, an award year, populate a screen with refund information for one or more students and print a PDF to submit to OSFA with a refund check
The PDF will automatically display the sum total of all refunds listed on the form by the school
The new refund form will be available on OSFA’s website prior to the start of the 2015-2016 award year
One Form for all Programs
OSFA State Programs Refund Form
A Sample
OSFA Calendar
OSFA now has an on-line calendar that publishes its upcoming activities
Activities include, but not limited to:
Programs Year-End Reporting Dates
Programs Application Dates
Programs Certification Start and End Dates
Payment Batches Creation Dates
The on-line calendar will be periodically updated, as necessary
The OSFA calendar is accessible on OSFA’s website under the “For Schools” section
Stay Updated with OSFA
State Financial Aid Programs
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All 2015-2016 updated Massachusetts State Financial Aid Programs Guidelines will be available on-line on OSFA’s site as of July 1, 2015.
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2015-2016 State Financial Aid Programs Guidelines
Issues and Ideas for MASSAid
MASSGrant Payment Batches Frequency
Massachusetts Residency Dates on Residency Reply Form
MASSGrant Ineligible Letter
Other Issues?
What’s on Your Mind?
2014-2015 Activity Summary
Final 2014-2015 NIL Disbursement Rosters will be created by OSFA on June 29th
2014-2015 NIL Reconciliation Rosters will be available for you to download July 1st
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YearDollars
Disbursed# of Students
2014-2015 $5,858,182 2314
2013-2014 $6,316,374 2746
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2015-2016 Loan Origination
2015-2016 NIL FAFSA filing deadline is March 14,2016
EFC Eligibility range 0-15,000
2015-2016 Anticipated Allocation Forms were sent to schools on June 5th and should be mailed back to OSFA by June 30th
2015-2016 Allocation Notifications will be mailed out to institutions July 24th with Promissory Note Paper included
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Student Eligibility
Permanent legal resident of Massachusetts, United States citizen or eligible non citizen
Enrolled full time
EFC must fall within 0-15,000 range
Enrolled in a certificate, associate or bachelors degree program
Not have received a prior bachelors degree or its equivalent
In compliance with Selective Service Registration Requirements
Not in default of any federal or state loans or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received
Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Promissory Note Creation
Access only students at your institution Indicated your school as first choice on FAFSA
or for whom OSFA has received a Transfer request
“Student Not Found” (Error Message) – if student is not listed at your school
May only create notes for NIL eligible students “012345678 does not qualify” – if student is
coded to your school but not NIL eligible
Loan Amounts Minimum $1,000 Maximum $4,000
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Promissory Note Creation
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Promissory Note Creation
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Promissory Note Creation
Loan Period Loan Processing Cycle is from August 1 –June
30 Borrower’s Loan Period must fall within this
date range Loan Period must coincide with period of
enrollment for the academic year
Disbursement Dates Schools control when loan disburses by
populating fields with desired dates Loan Periods > 155 days require at least 2
disbursements
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Promissory Note Creation
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Promissory Note Creation
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Promissory Note Submission
OSFA must receive an intact fully completed ORIGINAL COPY of the promissory note (as printed on the note)
Promissory note must be printed on the promissory note paper which cites the Terms & Conditions of the loan
All promissory notes capture emails displayed in MASSAid
Borrower must provide two (2) unique U.S. references with zip codes (business addresses will not be accepted)
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Promissory Note Submission
Borrower must sign full legal name as it appears on the promissory note and date appropriately
Promissory Note must be signed by school official
Self Certification Form must accompany Original Promissory Note
Promissory Note must be received by OSFA prior to the loan period end date to be eligible for a disbursement
Denied promissory notes will be returned to School Official’s attention
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Loan Origination
Borrower must sign full legal name as it appears on the promissory note and date appropriately
Promissory note must be signed by school official
Self Certification Form must accompany Original Promissory Note
Promissory note must be received by OSFA prior to the loan period end date to be eligible for a disbursement
Denied promissory notes will be returned to School Official’s attention
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Loan OriginationNo Interest Loan
Loan Origination
Cancellations May be performed in real time in MASSAid Must be done PRIOR to disbursement Funds from cancelled disbursements revert to school’s
allocation
Refunds Once disbursement occurs if student is no longer
eligible school must refund monies to OSFA Refunded monies DO NOT revert to school’s
allocation
Timely Submission of Promissory Notes Facilitates accurate Exit Interview processes
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Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
Per federal guidelines, OSFA instituted Regulation Z/Title X procedures
There is a four step disclosure process prior to the borrower receiving a disbursed No Interest Loan
For school’s convenience, disclosures are provided within the NIL Origination site
The Private Education Loan Application Self-Certification form must be received by OSFA along with the “Original Copy” of the promissory note, to be considered a complete application
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Truth in Lending Act
At the time of origination, the system will automatically create a borrower specific Massachusetts No Interest Loan Offer
School must provide this to student to review prior to signing the promissory note. The Massachusetts No Interest Loan Offer Form does not need to be returned to OSFA
At the time of approval, OSFA will automatically create a borrower specific Massachusetts No Interest Loan Disclosure that will be mailed to each borrower
The Loan Disclosure will provide three (3) business days for the borrower to decline the loan. Loans will be disbursed after the three day period
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Clearinghouse Updates
ECSI runs a Clearinghouse interface file every weekend. The file that is sent to the Clearinghouse includes all borrowers ECSI show in an enrolled status
If there is a match and the Clearinghouse shows that borrower to be withdrawn, less than half-time, or graduated, ECSI creates a record on our Clearinghouse Exit file
Weekly, ECSI creates an actual web exit for those borrowers and a notice is emailed to them
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Default Management
Reports
Expected Separation Dates OSFA mails throughout the year Reports can be generated at any time on
ECSI’s WebX system Opportunity to update separation dates
A March mailing included the current In-School report to allow schools to make any updates , the fiscal year 2014 cohort default rate and an update to the NIL Exit Requirements By request OSFA mailed schools a list of
defaulted borrowers
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Default Management
If the default rate exceeds 30% the institution must file a Loan Default Management Plan with OSFA by June 30 and achieve 100% return rate on on-line Exit Interviews to be considered for continued participation, no later than July 15, 2015
If the default rate exceeds 10% the institution must achieve 100% return rate on on-line Exit Interviews to be considered for continued participation, no later than July 15, 2015
If the default rate is less than 10% the institution must achieve at least 75% return rate on on-line Exit Interviews to be considered for continued participation, no later than July 15, 2015
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Default Management
Any school that does not achieve 100% return on all Exit Interviews by July 15th and have a prior year default rate in excess of 30% can receive no more than 75% of their highest allocation in the program in the last five years
OSFA has been sending monthly reminder emails to students that have not yet completed their Exit Interviews
As of June 1st, there were 1,339 borrowers separating between July 1, 2014- June 30, 2015 1,055 Disclosures Completed with ECSI 284 Disclosures Remain Outstanding
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Default Management2013-2014 Exit Interview Overview
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Total Borrower
s Separati
ng 7/1/13-6/30/14
Completed Exits
Current in
Repayment
In Deferme
nt
In Default
Private Institutions
1034 867 745 105 184
State Universities
499 346 346 48 105
UMASS 6 4 2 3 1
Proprietary
22 16 14 2 6
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Common Practices for Exiting Students No Interest Loan notices mailed or emailed to
students by financial aid offices. These include amount that was borrowed, Exit instructions, and login information
Placing holds on Graduation Tickets
Placing holds on Transcripts and/or Diplomas
Constant calls and emails to borrowers until 100% Exit completion is reached
Default Management
Default Management
All Exits are generated electronically by ECSI
Sixty days prior to separation, ECSI sends an email to borrowers with their username, password, and instructions to complete their Exits
Schools are encouraged to frequently remind students of this responsibility
OSFA has been emailing students monthly to remind them to complete their Exit Interview
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Default Management
Educational Computer Services, Inc (ECSI) remains the billing servicer
School Code for all OSFA programs = 4F
Schools have on-line access to update separation dates, change addresses and request an Exit to be generated
Schools must be proactive to report separation date changes to ECSI or OSFA as soon as you become aware of changes
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Default Management
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Loan ServicingNo Interest Loan
Loan Servicing
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Default ManagementNo Interest Loan
Paid in full! Yippee!!
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Common Practices for Preventing Default Students must participate in mandatory Exit
Counseling Sessions where loans are broken down by type and repayment options
After receiving the default list—school mails borrower past due letter
Staff reviews Delinquent Rosters monthly and reaches out to students by mail or phone. If school has different address updates are made to OSFA and ECSI. Also check to see if they are past due on Perkins Loans or other loans through the school
If student enters into default, a hold is placed on their transcript
Default Management
Wellness Program
Wellness Program Each month OSFA mails to institutions a
report of borrowers who are up to 90 days past due
Once a loan is disbursed a letter is mailed to borrowers along with a brochure reminding them of loan terms and conditions
OSFA mails a post-card to borrowers during their grace period, as an additional reminder of their loan and billing servicer
OSFA also emails students during their grace period
Monthly OSFA calls, mails and emails 30, 60 and 90 day past due borrowers
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Wellness Program
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Helpful Reminders
When contacting ECSI, school code for all OSFA programs = 4F
OSFA DOES NOT remove accounts from collections once placed with an agency
Accounts are FULLY accelerated @ 120 days past due
Students have a 6 month, one-time only grace period
NIL is not a Federal loan – therefore cannot be rehabilitated
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Helpful Reminders
NIL CANNOT be consolidated
NIL does not appear on NSLDS
Students in default may have their state tax returns intercepted
Students must complete a Commonwealth of Massachusetts exit interview
Borrowers must complete exit interview EVEN IF they are continuing in the fall in a graduate program (must apply for deferment)
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Contact Information Educational Computer
Services, Inc (ECSI) Schools/Institutions
Phone 1-800-437-6931
BorrowersMDHE
C/O E.C.S.I. 181 Montour Run Road
Coraopolis, PA 15108Phone: 888-549-3274Fax: 866-291-5384Email: [email protected]: www.heartlandecsi.c
om
OSFA Alison Connolly 617-391-6073
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Come Visit!
454 Broadway, Suite 200
Revere, MA