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SUMMARY: This letter announces three additional Spring Training '99 workshops for Puerto Rico schools and includes agendas and a registration form.

Dear Colleague:

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Student Financial Assistance Programs will present three additional workshops for Puerto Rico schools: two one day sessions on the new Recipient Financial Management System (RFMS), and one day of training on the l998 Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

June 28 and June 29

Each of the two RFMS training sessions will feature the new process of requesting and reporting on Federal Pell Grant funds using the 1999-2000 Recipient Financial Management System. Beginning July 1, 1999, this new reporting system will be required for all Pell schools. These workshops will also include hands-on training on the EDExpress Pell software, using simulations and exercises.

This training is for financial aid office staff responsible for Federal Pell Grant processing and reporting. It will be valuable for all Pell schools whether they are a mainframe school, use a third-party servicer, use EDExpress for Pell processing, or use a combination of methods. The curriculum does not include basic information on how to get started in EDExpress, but will include both an RFMS process overview and hands-on training on the EDExpress Pell software.

Seating for the RFMS days is limited. A maximum of 35 trainees will be accommodated for each of these days.

June 30

The Reauthorization day will focus on the key elements of the 1998 Higher Education Amendments signed into law on October 7, l998. The trainers will use lecture, group discussion, and exercises to present the information. This training is for staff in the financial aid office who are interested in learning more about the l998 Reauthorization changes. The format will include time for sharing and discussion with other trainees. Up to 100 trainees will be accommodated on this day.

All three workshops will be held at:

Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
377 Ponce De Leon Avenue
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico

The RFMS training will be in the computer lab and the Reauthorization training will be on the third floor of the Library.

The training team will include a bilingual co-trainer.

How to Register

You must register for the training to secure a place. Please FAX the enclosed form to the number on the form. You will receive a confirmation by FAX, so please include your FAX number on the registration form. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Costs and Materials

This training is free; however you must arrange and pay for your own transportation, meals, and lodging.

Please bring a one-inch binder to hold the Trainee Guide you will receive at the workshop.

The contents of the RFMS training will be provided to each trainee on a CD-ROM. The CD can be used at your office to train other school staff. If you are unable to attend the training but would like to receive the CD, please call 1-800-4FED AID (1-800-433-3243) to receive a free copy. The Reauthorization training material is posted on the Training Information page on IFAP.

We look forward to your participation in these workshops.

Sincerely,


Nina Winkler, Director
Policy, Training and Analysis Service
Office of Student Financial Assistance

Attachments

Agenda

Training for each day will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at approximately 5:00 p.m.

JUNE 28 and JUNE 29 - RFMS (note that this is the same curriculum for each day - register for only one of these days)

Session 1: Introduction
overview of RFMS; how RFMS will benefit schools; implementation schedule

Session 2: Origination
data needed on the origination record; how the record is edited; creating and submitting origination records using EDExpress

Session 3: Disbursement
creating and sending disbursement records; data on the disbursement record; how RFMS edits the records; when multiple schools report the same disbursement records; special disbursement records; processing disbursement records using EDExpress

Session 4: Funding
relationship between disbursement records and GAPS; how to draw down funds; Just-in-Time funding pilot

Session 5: Requesting Data
using RFMS reports; requesting data from RFMS; requesting data using EDExpress

Session 6: Implementation Planning
issues in implementing RFMS; developing an action plan; information and resources

JUNE 30 - Reauthorization

Session 1: Changes in General Program Information
overview; negotiated rulemaking process and schedule; changes in Master Calendar

Session 2: Changes in Student Eligibility and Financial Need
cost of attendance; EFC changes; convictions of drug offenses

Session 3: Changes in Institutional Eligibility and Administrative Requirements
changes in certification and program reviews; new return of Title IV funds policy; new reporting requirements and consumer information

Session 4: Changes to Federal Pell Grant and Campus-Based Programs
changes affecting Pell eligibility; changes in campus-based formula; new Perkins Loan provisions

Session 5: Changes in the Loan Programs
repayment changes; Master Promissory Note; new cancellation provisions for teachers

Session 6: Other Provisions
changes to SSIG; Y2K issues; Access America for Students

Session 7: Question and Answer
small group discussion of various changes and issues of concern

Session 8: Overview of RFMS
brief presentation of how the new RFMS works and the processes involved (no software training

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[The attached file contains the Training Registration form in Portable Document Format (pdf). It can be viewed with version 3.0 or higher of the free ADOBE ACROBAT Reader software.]

Posted June 7, 1999, NASFAA Web Site www.nasfaa.org