With Hurricane Florence potential impact between North and South Carolina, the first priority is to ensure that everyone is safe and out of harm’s way. Any time the President of the United States declares a disaster (any natural catastrophe which includes hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought) that higher education institutions are provided some relief to help students remain safe and ultimately continue their education.
Title IV student financial aid participants that are impacted by a federally declared major disaster (disaster) as defined in The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(2)) should reference GEN 17-08 which provides additional guidance on the following items:
- Institutional Participation (§668.26(a)(1)).
- Length of Academic Year (§668.3)
- Agreements to Permit Study at Another Institution (§668.5)
- Cash Management (Part 668, Subpart K)
- Lost Student Records (§668.24)
- Professional Judgment
- Satisfactory Academic Progress (§§668.34 and 668.16(e))
- Verification (Part 668 Subpart E)
The list above is not an exhaustive list but some of the most pressing items when it comes to supporting student success and remaining compliant. It is important to note GEN 17-08 superseded all guidance in DCL GEN-10-16/FP-10-06 (Guidance for helping Title IV participants affected by a major disaster), GEN-04-04 (General guidance for helping Title IV participants affected by a disaster) and DCL GEN-05-17 (Notice of waiver of Title IV grant repayment for students affected by a disaster). It does not appear that the Dept. of Education has released any new guidance on the matter, but it is important to monitor IFAP.ED.GOV or contact your regional Department of Education representative.