[ctcLinkfinaidsupport] New and Improved Prep Coursework Process

Ana Ybarra aybarra at sbctc.edu
Fri Dec 16 08:38:33 PST 2022


Good morning,

The CS Core and CS Financial Aid support teams, in consultation with Data Services, are excited to announce the following update regarding the Preparatory Coursework Loans process.

Background:
Colleges have been requesting a solution of FA Support on how to award students in need of a preparatory coursework loan. Leveraging existing functionality in our system, our approach aligns with guidance from the Department of Education. See below:

Preparatory coursework (per IFAP 2019-2020 Volume 1 - Student Eligibility Master File.pdf (ed.gov))

  *   A student not enrolled in a degree or certificate program is eligible for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans (and a parent may receive Direct PLUS Loans on behalf of a dependent student) for up to one year if she is taking coursework necessary for enrollment in an eligible program
Preparatory coursework

  *   A student may apply for a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan (or a parent may apply for a Direct PLUS Loan on behalf of a dependent student) for coursework the school has documented is necessary for the student to enroll in an eligible program. The preparatory courses must be offered as part of an eligible program offered by the school, though the student does not have to be enrolled in that program. You may not award Direct Loans for stand-alone courses that do not count towards an eligible program and exist solely to serve as preparatory coursework.
  *   If enrolled at least half time in these prerequisite courses, the student is eligible for loans for one consecutive 12-month period (not per program) beginning on the first day of the loan period. If the period of preparatory courses spans more than one academic year, the student may receive multiple loans.
  *   To be eligible for loans under this exception, the student must be taking classes that are a prerequisite for admission. A student who is only taking courses to raise his or her grade-point average to be admitted would not qualify.
See also - Preparatory coursework

  *   34 CFR 668.32(a)(1)(ii)
  *   34 CFR 685.203(a)(6)

Solution and audience for this process:
Audience: College Financial Aid Office and Enrollment Office Staff

Solution: Colleges can request new Academic Plans effective for Winter 2023! The resources below provide information for requesting new Academic Plan configurations for the purpose of awarding students Financial Aid Preparatory Coursework Loans. These Academic Plan Codes will be mapped to the Data Warehouse as Non-Award Seeking. Staff will submit these Academic Plan configuration requests to SBCTC directly after confirming verified information that will be required for the configuration. These Academic Plan Codes should only be used when preparatory coursework is being completed for a plan that is NOT offered by your institution. These plans do not replace PRQ plans for Academic Plans your institution does offer. Colleges will download and complete an Academic Plan Configuration Request and attach that form to a ticket.

We've created a new ticket request type for this specifically: Campus Solutions > CS/FA > FA Preparatory Loan Academic Plan

Resources with detailed information:

  *   QRG: Requesting Academic Plans for Financial Aid Preparatory Coursework Loans: https://ctclinkreferencecenter.ctclink.us/m/79558/l/1612564-requesting-academic-plans-for-financial-aid-fa-preparatory-coursework-loans
  *   Worksheet for Requesting Academic Plans for Financial Aid (FA) Preparatory Coursework Loans (Excel doc): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JYdI_FTxwIQdfCMh-6bD2Bovwwvt1u1r/edit#gid=1587685933

This information will be shared to the CS Support and Financial Aid listservs in addition to this POC listserv. Questions can be directed to Kyrsten Catlin (kcatlin at sbctc.edu<mailto:kcatlin at sbctc.edu>) and Ana Ybarra (aybarra at sbctc.edu<mailto:aybarra at sbctc.edu>).


Peace be with you,


[Title: SBCTC logo - Description: Compass]Ana Ybarra, MA
Associate Director Campus Solutions - Financial Aid
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
* o: 360-704-1024

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