On March 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) distributed the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023) draft cohort default rate (CDR) notification packages to all eligible domestic and foreign schools.
In this announcement, ED provides information about the distribution of the draft rates and the beginning dates for appealing the draft rates.
Key Action Items & Deadlines
- Appeal Period Begins: Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
- Review Your Package: Schools enrolled in eCDR should check their SAIG Mailbox for the Cover Letter (SHDRLROP) and Loan Record Detail Report (SHCDREOP).
- Manual Download: Schools not enrolled in eCDR must download their reports via the NSLDS Professional Access website.
- Download Instructions Available: Step-by-step guidance for accessing and downloading draft CDR notification packages is available in the attachment to this announcement.
Critical Updates for FY 2023 Draft Cohort Default Rates
- FSA Partner Connect Integration: Since July 2025, the FSA Partner Connect portal has served as the primary platform for SAIG enrollment and user management. All enrollment actions must be completed electronically through this portal.
- The FSA Partner Connect portal is also now the primary platform for enrollment and management services for the Electronic Cohort Default Rate (eCDR) Appeals System. All training documents are available on the training site: fsatraining.ed.gov. From the system training drop-down menu, select FSA Partner Connect, then log in or create an account. Scroll down to see the “Create an account” button if needed. Once logged in, you will have access to the job aids.
- Jobs aids are available to help understand enrollment and management services, including how to enroll in and manage system access. They provide a general overview of the enrollment process, along with a step-by-step guide that shows eligible partners how to complete the system enrollment process.
- Report Formats: Each electronic cohort default rate (eCDR) package contains the following information:
- Excel/CSV: Available via the SHCDR NSLDS School CDR History Report under the “Reports” tab on NSLDS.
- PDF: A reader-friendly version is available for download on the same reports page.
- Analysis Tools: FSA recommends using the loan record detail report (LRDR) Import Tool to load and analyze data within Microsoft Excel for easier review. Note: Any school that did not have a borrower in repayment during the current or any of the past cohort default rate periods will not receive an FY 2023 draft cohort default rate notification package. These schools are considered to have no cohort default data and no cohort default rate.
Submitting Challenges and Appeals
All Incorrect Data Challenges (IDC) must be submitted electronically through the eCDR Appeals website. Participation Rate Index Challenges (PRI) still require a hard-copy submission.
To find data manager information for official adjustments, visit the Default Management Topic Page on the Knowledge Center.
Contact & Support: For specific information regarding eCDR appeals, visit one of the links below, where you will find user guides, appeal processes, and assistance for first-time users.
- General Guidance: Refer to the Cohort Default Rate Guide.
- Appeals Help: Visit the eCDR Appeals website for user guides.
- Email Support: fsa.schools.default.management@ed.gov.
Attachments
SOURCE: (LOANS-26-03) Distribution of FY 2023 Draft Cohort Default Rates and Appeal Timeline