Federal Student Aid Programs (Student Assistance General Provisions, Federal Perkins Loan Program, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, and Federal-Work Study Programs)

Source: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Updated waivers and modifications of statutory and regulatory provisions.

CFR Part: "34 CFR parts 600, 602, 668, 673, 674, 682, and 685"

Citation: "85 FR 79856"

Page Number: "79856"

"Rules and Regulations"

Agency: "Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education."

SUMMARY: The Secretary is issuing updated waivers and modifications of statutory and regulatory provisions governing the Federal student financial aid programs under the authority of the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 (HEROES Act or Act). The HEROES Act requires the Secretary to publish, in a document in the Federal Register, the waivers or modifications of statutory or regulatory provisions applicable to the student financial assistance programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to assist individuals who are performing qualifying military service, and individuals who are affected by a disaster, war, or other military operation or national emergency, as described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a national emergency based on the COVID-19 outbreak. (Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak, available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-declaring-national-emergency-concerning-novel-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-outbreak/).

   DATES:

Effective December 11, 2020. The waivers and modifications in this document expire as noted within each of the provisions below, unless extended by the Secretary in a document published in the Federal Register.

   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Hoblitzell, by telephone: [phone] or by email: [email protected], or Gregory Martin, by telephone: [phone] or by email: [email protected].

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Secretary is issuing these waivers and modifications under the authority of the HEROES Act, as codified at 20 U.S.C. 1098bb(a)(2), which authorizes the Secretary to waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to the Federal student financial assistance programs under title IV of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq., as the Secretary deems necessary in connection with a war or other military operation or national emergency to affected individuals who are recipients of Federal student financial assistance under title IV of the HEA, institutions of higher education (IHEs), eligible lenders, guaranty agencies, and...