[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 34, Volume 3]

[Revised as of July 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 34CFR682.401]



[Page 689-697]

 

                           TITLE 34--EDUCATION

 

 CHAPTER VI--OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

PART 682_FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION LOAN (FFEL) PROGRAM--Table of Contents

 

 Subpart D_Administration of the Federal Family Education Loan Programs 

                          by a Guaranty Agency

 

Sec. 682.401  Basic program agreement.



    (a) General. In order to participate in the FFEL programs, a 

guaranty agency shall enter into a basic agreement with the Secretary.

    (b) Terms of agreement. In the basic agreement, the guaranty agency 

shall agree to ensure that its loan guarantee program meets the 

following requirements at all times:

    (1) Aggregate loan limits. The aggregate guaranteed unpaid principal 

amount for all Stafford and SLS, loans made to a borrower may not exceed 

the amounts set forth in Sec. 682.204 (b), (e), and (g).

    (2) Annual loan limits. (i) The annual loan maximum amount for a 

borrower that may be guaranteed for an academic year may not exceed the 

amounts set forth in Sec. 682.204 (a), (c), (d), (f), and (h).

    (ii) A guaranty agency may make the loan amounts authorized under 

paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section applicable for either--

    (A) A period of not less than that attributable to the academic 

year;

    (B) A period attributable to the academic year in which the student 

earns the amount of credit in the student's program of study required by 

the student's school as the amount necessary for the student to advance 

in academic standing as normally measured on an academic year basis (for 

example, from freshman to sophomore or, in the case of schools using 

clock hours, completion of at least 900 clock hours; or

    (C) A period that does not exceed 12 months.

    (iii) The amount of a loan guaranteed may not exceed the amount set 

forth in Sec. 682.204(k).

    (3) Duration of borrower eligibility. (i) A student borrower under 

the Stafford Loan Program or the SLS Program and a parent borrower under 

the PLUS Program are eligible to receive a guaranteed loan for any year 

of the student's study at a participating school.

    (ii) Loans must be available to or on behalf of any student for at 

least six academic years of study.

    (4) Reinstatement of borrower eligibility. Except as provided in 

Sec. 668.35(b) for a borrower with a defaulted loan on which a judgment 

has been obtained, reinstatement of Title IV eligibility for a borrower 

with a defaulted loan must be in accordance with this paragraph (b)(4). 

For a borrower's loans held by a guaranty agency on which a reinsurance 

claim has been paid by the Secretary, the guaranty agency must afford a 

defaulted borrower, upon the borrower's request, renewed eligibility



[[Page 690]]



for Title IV assistance once the borrower has made satisfactory 

repayment arrangements as that term is defined in Sec. 682.200.

    (i) For purposes of this section, the determination of reasonable 

and affordable must--

    (A) Include consideration of the borrower's and spouse's disposable 

income and necessary expenses including, but not limited to, housing, 

utilities, food, medical costs, dependent care costs, work-related 

expenses and other Title IV repayment;

    (B) Not be a required minimum payment amount, e.g. $50, if the 

agency determines that a smaller amount is reasonable and affordable 

based on the borrower's total financial circumstances. The agency must 

include documentation in the borrower's file of the basis for the 

determination, if the monthly reasonable and affordable payment 

established under this section is less than $50.00 or the monthly 

accrued interest on the loan, whichever is greater.

    (C) Be based on the documentation provided by the borrower or other 

sources including, but not limited to--

    (1) Evidence of current income (e.g. proof of welfare benefits, 

Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Workers' 

Compensation, child support, veterans' benefits, two most recent pay 

stubs, most recent copy of U.S. income tax return, State Department of 

Labor reports);

    (2) Evidence of current expenses (e.g. a copy of the borrower's 

monthly household budget, on a form provided by the guaranty agency); 

and

    (3) A statement of the unpaid balance on all FFEL loans held by 

other holders.

    (ii) A borrower may request that the monthly payment amount be 

adjusted due to a change in the borrower's total financial circumstances 

upon providing the documentation specified in paragraph (b)(4)(i)(C) of 

this section.

    (iii) A guaranty agency must provide the borrower with a written 

statement of the reasonable and affordable payment amount required for 

the reinstatement of the borrower's eligibility for Title IV student 

assistance, and provide the borrower with an opportunity to object to 

those terms.

    (iv) A guaranty agency must provide the borrower with written 

information regarding the possibility of loan rehabilitation if the 

borrower makes six additional reasonable and affordable monthly payments 

after making payments to regain eligibility for Title IV assistance and 

the consequences of loan rehabilitation.

    (v) A guaranty agency must inform the borrower that he or she may 

only obtain reinstatement of borrower eligibility under thissection 

once.

    (5) Borrower responsibilities. (i) The borrower must indicate his or 

her preferred lender on the promissory note or other written or 

electronic documentation submitted during the loan origination process 

if he or she has such a preference.

    (ii) The borrower must give the lender, as part of the promissory 

note or application process for a PLUS loan--

    (A) A statement, as described in 34 CFR part 668, that the loan will 

be used for the cost of the student's attendance;

    (B) A statement from the student authorizing the school to release 

information relevant to the student's eligibility to have a parent 

borrow on the student's behalf (e.g., the student's enrollment status, 

financial assistance, and employment records); and

    (C) Information from the school providing the maximum amount that 

may be borrowed on behalf of the student.

    (iii) The borrower shall give the lender, as part of the application 

process for a Consolidation loan--

    (A) Information demonstrating that the borrower is eligible for the 

loan under Sec. 682.201(c); and

    (B) A statement that the borrower does not currently have another 

application for a Consolidation loan pending.

    (iv) The borrower shall promptly notify--

    (A) The current holder or the guaranty agency of any change of name, 

address, student status to less than half-time, employer, or employer's 

address; and

    (B) The school of any change in local address during enrollment.



[[Page 691]]



    (6) School eligibility--(i) General. A school that has a program 

participation agreement in effect with the Secretary under Sec. 

682.14(a) is eligible to participate in the program of the agency under 

reasonable criteria established by the guaranty agency, and approved by 

the Secretary, under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, except to the 

extent that--

    (A) The school's eligibility is limited, suspended, or terminated by 

the Secretary under 34 CFR part 668 or by the guaranty agency under 

standards and procedures that are substantially the same as those in 34 

CFR part 668;

    (B) The Secretary upholds the limitation, suspension, or termination 

of a school by a guaranty agency and extends that sanction to all 

guaranty agency programs under section 432(h)(3) of the Act or Sec. 

682.713;

    (C) The school is ineligible under section 435(a)(2) of the Act;

    (D) There is a State constitutional prohibition affecting the 

school's eligibility;

    (E) The school's programs consist of study solely by correspondence;

    (F) The agency determines, subject to the agreement of the 

Secretary, that the school does not satisfy the standards of 

administrative capability and financial responsibility as defined in 34 

CFR part 668;

    (G) The school fails to make timely refunds to students as required 

in Sec. 682.607(c);

    (H) The school has not satisfied, within 30 days of issuance, a 

final judgment obtained by a student seeking a refund;

    (I) The school or an owner, director, or officer of the school is 

found guilty or liable in any criminal, civil, or administrative 

proceeding regarding the obtaining, maintenance, or disbursement of 

State or Federal student grant, loan, or work assistance funds; or

    (J) The school or an owner, director, or officer of the school has 

unpaid financial liabilities involving the improper acquisition, 

expenditure, or refund of State or Federal student financial assistance 

funds.

    (ii) Limitation by a guaranty agency of a school's participation. 

For purposes of this paragraph, a school that is subject to limitation 

of participation in the guaranty agency's program may be either a school 

that is applying to participate in the agency's program for the first 

time, or a school that is renewing its application to continue 

participation in the agency's program. A guaranty agency may limit the 

total number of loans or the volume of loans made to students attending 

a particular school, or otherwise establish appropriate limitations on 

the school's participation, if the agency makes a determination that the 

school does not satisfy--

    (A) The standards of financial responsibility defined in 34 CFR 

668.5; or

    (B) The standards of administrative capability defined in 34 CFR 

668.16.

    (iii) Limitation, suspension, or termination of school eligibility. 

A guaranty agency may limit, suspend, or terminate the participation of 

an eligible school. If a guaranty agency limits, suspends, or terminates 

the participation of a school from the agency's program, the Secretary 

applies that limitation, suspension, or termination to all locations of 

the school.

    (iv) Condition for guaranteeing loans for students attending a 

school. The guaranty agency may require the school to execute a 

participation agreement with the agency and to submit documentation that 

establishes the school's eligibility to participate in the agency's 

program.

    (7) Lender eligibility. (i) An eligible lender may participate in 

the program of the agency under reasonable criteria established by the 

guaranty agency except to the extent that--

    (A) The lender's eligibility has been limited, suspended, or 

terminated by the Secretary under subpart G of this part or by the 

agency under standards and procedures that are substantially the same as 

those in subpart G of this part; or

    (B) The lender is disqualified by the Secretary under sections 

432(h)(1), 432(h)(2), 435(d)(3), or 435(d)(5) of the Act or Sec. 

682.712; or

    (C) There is a State constitutional prohibition affecting the 

lender's eligibility.

    (ii) The agency may not guarantee a loan made by a school lender 

that is



[[Page 692]]



not located in the geographical area that the agency serves.

    (iii) The guaranty agency may refuse to guarantee loans made by a 

school on behalf of students not attending that school.

    (iv) The guaranty agency may, in determining whether to enter into a 

guarantee agreement with a lender, consider whether the lender has had 

prior experience in a similar Federal, State, or private nonprofit 

student loan program and the amount and percentage of loans that are 

currently delinquent or in default under that program.

    (8) Out-of-State schools. The agency shall guarantee Stafford, SLS, 

and PLUS loans for students who are legal residents of any State served 

by the agency under Sec. 682.404(h)(2) but who attend schools out of 

that State and for parents who are legal residents of that State and are 

borrowing on behalf of students attending schools out of that State. In 

guaranteeing these loans, the agency may not impose any restrictions 

that it does not apply to borrowers who are legal residents of the State 

attending in-State schools or to parent borrowers who are legal 

residents of the State and are borrowing for students attending in-State 

schools.

    (9) Out-of-State residents. The agency shall guarantee Stafford, 

SLS, and PLUS loans for students who are not legal residents of any 

State served by the agency under Sec. 682.404(h)(2) but who attend 

schools in that State, and for parents who are not legal residents of 

that State and who are borrowing on behalf of students attending schools 

in that State. In guaranteeing these loans, the agency may not impose 

any restrictions that it does not apply to borrowers who are legal 

residents of the State attending in-State schools, or to parent 

borrowers who are legal residents of the State and who are borrowing for 

students attending in-State schools.

    (10) Insurance premiums. (i) Except for a SLS or PLUS loan 

refinanced under Sec. 682.209 (e) or (f), the guaranty agency may 

charge the lender an insurance premium on each Stafford, SLS, or PLUS 

loan it guarantees.

    (ii) The guaranty agency may use the proceeds of this charge only to 

guarantee loans and to cover costs incurred by the guaranty agency in 

the administration of its loan guarantee program.

    (iii) The lender may deduct the amount of the premium from the 

borrower's loan proceeds. For a loan disbursed in more than one 

installment, the insurance premium must be deducted proportionately from 

each disbursement of the loan proceeds.

    (iv) The amount of the insurance premium may not exceed--

    (A) For a loan disbursed on or before June 30, 1994, 3 percent of 

the principal balance of the loan; or

    (B) For a loan disbursed on or after July 1, 1994, 1 percent of the 

principal balance of the loan.

    (v) The guaranty agency shall refund to the lender any insurance 

premium received for a loan under the circumstances specified in Sec. 

682.401(b)(10)(vi) (A) and (B).

    (vi) The lender shall refund to the borrower by a credit against the 

borrower's loan balance the insurance premium paid by the borrower on a 

loan under the following circumstances:

    (A) The premium attributable to each disbursement of a loan must be 

refunded if the loan check is returned uncashed to the lender.

    (B) The premium or an appropriate prorated amount of the premium 

must be refunded by application to the borrower's loan balance if--

    (1) The loan or a portion of the loan is returned by the school to 

the lender in order to comply with the Act or with applicable 

regulations;

    (2) Within 120 days of disbursement, the loan or a portion of the 

loan is repaid or returned, unless--

    (i) The borrower has no FFEL Program loans in repayment status and 

has requested, in writing, that the repaid or returned funds be used for 

a different purpose; or

    (ii) The borrower has a FFEL Program loan in repayment status, in 

which case the payment is applied in accordance with Sec. 682.209(b) 

unless the borrower has requested, in writing, that the repaid or 

returned funds be applied as a cancellation of all or part of the loan;



[[Page 693]]



    (3) Within 120 days of disbursement, the loan check has not been 

negotiated; or

    (4) Within 120 days of disbursement, the loan proceeds disbursed by 

electronic funds transfer or master check in accordance with Sec. 

682.207(b)(1)(ii) (B) and (C) have not been released from the restricted 

account maintained by the school.

    (11) Inquiries. The agency must be able to receive and respond to 

written, electronic, and telephone inquiries.

    (12) Administrative fee for Consolidation loans. The guaranty agency 

may charge a lender a fee, not to exceed $50, reasonably calculated to 

cover the agency's cost of increased or extended liability incurred in 

guaranteeing a Consolidation loan. The lender may not pass the fee on to 

the borrower. If it charges the fee, the agency must charge it for all 

loans made under the agency's Consolidation Loan program.

    (13) Administrative fee for refinancing fixed-rate PLUS or SLS 

loans. The guaranty agency may require a lender to pay to the guaranty 

agency up to 50 percent of the fee the lender charges a borrower under 

Sec. 682.202(e) for the purpose of defraying the agency's 

administrative costs incident to the guarantee of a lender's reissuance 

of a fixed-rate PLUS or SLS loan at a variable interest rate. If it 

charges the fee, the agency must charge the same fee to all lenders that 

refinance under this paragraph.

    (14) Guaranty liability. The guaranty agency shall guarantee--

    (i) 100 percent of the unpaid principal balance of each loan 

guaranteed for loans disbursed before October 1, 1993; and

    (ii) Not more than 98 percent of the unpaid principal balance of 

each loan guaranteed for loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 

1993.

    (15) Guaranty agency verification of default data. A guaranty agency 

must meet the requirements and deadlines provided for it in subpart M of 

34 CFR part 668 for the cohort default rate process.

    (16) Guaranty agency administration. In the case of a State loan 

guarantee program administered by a State government, the program must 

be administered by a single State agency, or by one or more private 

nonprofit institutions or organizations under the supervision of a 

single State agency. For this purpose, ``supervision'' includes, but is 

not limited to, setting policies and procedures, and having full 

responsibility for the operation of the program.

    (17) Loan assignment. (i) Except as provided in paragraph 

(b)(17)(iii) of this section, the guaranty agency must allow a loan to 

be assigned only if the loan is fully disbursed and is assigned to--

    (A) An eligible lender;

    (B) A guaranty agency, in the case of a borrower's default, death, 

total and permanent disability, or filing of a bankruptcy petition, or 

for other circumstances approved by the Secretary, such as a loan made 

for attendance at a school that closed or a false certification claim;

    (C) An educational institution, whether or not it is an eligible 

lender, in connection with the institution's repayment to the agency or 

to the Secretary of a guarantee or a reinsurance claim payment made on a 

loan that was ineligible for the payment;

    (D) A Federal or State agency or an organization or corporation 

acting on behalf of such an agency and acting as a conservator, 

liquidator, or receiver of an eligible lender; or

    (E) The Secretary.

    (ii) For the purpose of this paragraph, ``assigned'' means any kind 

of transfer of an interest in the loan, including a pledge of such an 

interest as security.

    (iii) The guaranty agency must allow a loan to be assigned under 

paragraph (b)(17)(i) of this section, following the first disbursement 

of the loan if the assignment does not result in a change in the 

identity of the party to whom payments must be made.

    (18) Transfer of guarantees. Except in the case of a transfer of 

guarantee requested by a borrower seeking a transfer to secure a single 

guarantor, the guaranty agency may transfer its guarantee obligation on 

a loan to another guaranty agency, only with the approval of the 

Secretary, the transferee agency, and the holder of the loan.



[[Page 694]]



    (19) Standards and procedures. (i) The guaranty agency shall 

establish, disseminate to concerned parties, and enforce standards and 

procedures for--

    (A) Ensuring that all lenders in its program meet the definition of 

``eligible lender'' in section 435(d) of the Act and have a written 

lender agreement with the agency;

    (B) School and lender participation in its program;

    (C) Limitation, suspension, termination of school and lender 

participation;

    (D) Emergency action against a participating school or lender;

    (E) The exercise of due diligence by lenders in making, servicing, 

and collecting loans; and

    (F) The timely filing by lenders of default, death, disability, 

bankruptcy, closed school, false certification, and ineligible loan 

claims.

    (ii) The guaranty agency shall ensure that its program and all 

participants in its program at all times meet the requirements of 

subparts B, C, D, and F of this part.

    (20) Monitoring student enrollment. The guaranty agency shall 

monitor the enrollment status of a FFEL program borrower or student on 

whose behalf a parent has borrowed that includes, at a minimum, 

reporting to the current holder of the loan within 60 days any change in 

the student's enrollment status reported that triggers--

    (i) The beginning of the borrower's grace period; or

    (ii) The beginning or resumption of the borrower's immediate 

obligation to make scheduled payments.

    (21) Submission of interest and special allowance information. Upon 

the Secretary's request, the guaranty agency shall submit, or require 

its lenders to submit, information that the Secretary deems necessary 

for determining the amount of interest benefits and special allowance 

payable on the agency's guaranteed loans.

    (22) Submission of information for reports. The guaranty agency 

shall require lenders to submit to the agency the information necessary 

for the agency to complete the reports required by Sec. 682.414(b).

    (23) Guaranty agency transfer of information. (i) A guaranty agency 

from which another guaranty agency requests information regarding 

Stafford and SLS loans made after January 1, 1987, to students who are 

residents of the State for which the requesting agency is the principal 

guaranty agency shall provide--

    (A) The name and social security number of the student; and

    (B) The annual loan amount and the cumulative amount borrowed by the 

student in loans under the Stafford and SLS programs guaranteed by the 

responding agency.

    (ii) The reasonable costs incurred by an agency in fulfilling a 

request for information made under paragraph (b)(23)(i) of this section 

must be paid by the guaranty agency making the request.

    (24) Information on defaults. The guaranty agency shall, upon the 

request of a school, furnish information with respect to students, 

including the names and addresses of such students, who were enrolled at 

that school and who are in default on the repayment of any loan 

guaranteed by that agency.

    (25) Information on loan sales or transfers. The guaranty agency 

must, upon the request of a school, furnish to the school last attended 

by the student, information with respect to the sale or transfer of a 

borrower's loan prior to the beginning of the repayment period, 

including--

    (i) Notice of assignment;

    (ii) The identity of the assignee;

    (iii) The name and address of the party by which contact may be made 

with the holder concerning repayment of the loan; and

    (iv) The telephone number of the assignee or, if the assignee uses a 

lender servicer, another appropriate number for borrower inquiries.

    (26) Third-party servicers. The guaranty agency may not enter into a 

contract with a third-party servicer that the Secretary has determined 

does not meet the financial and compliance standards under Sec. 

682.416. The guaranty agency shall provide the Secretary with the name 

and address of any third-party servicer with which the agency enters 

into a contract and, upon request by the Secretary, a copy of that 

contract.



[[Page 695]]



    (27) Collection charges and late fees on defaulted FFEL loans being 

consolidated. (i) A guaranty agency may add collection costs in an 

amount not to exceed 18.5 percent of the outstanding principal and 

interest to a defaulted FFEL Program loan that is included in a Federal 

Consolidation loan.

    (ii) When returning the proceeds from the consolidation of a 

defaulted loan to the Secretary, a guaranty agency may only retain the 

amount added to the borrower's balance pursuant to paragraph (b)(27)(i) 

of this section.

    (28) Change in agency's records system. The agency shall provide 

written notification to the Secretary at least 30 days prior to placing 

its new guarantees or converting the records relating to its existing 

guaranty portfolio to an information or computer system that is owned 

by, or otherwise under the control of, an entity that is different than 

the party that owns or controls the agency's existing information or 

computer system. If the agency is soliciting bids from third parties 

with respect to a proposed conversion, the agency shall provide written 

notice to the Secretary as soon as the solicitation begins. The 

notification described in this paragraph must include a concise 

description of the agency's conversion project and the actual or 

estimated cost of the project.

    (c) Lender-of-last-resort. (1) The guaranty agency must ensure that 

it, or an eligible lender described in section 435(d)(1)(D) of the Act, 

serves as a lender-of-last-resort in the State in which the guaranty 

agency is the designated guaranty agency. The guaranty agency or an 

eligible lender described in section 435(d)(1)(D) of the Act may arrange 

for a loan required to be made under paragraph (c)(2) of this section to 

be made by another eligible lender. As used in this paragraph, the term 

``designated guaranty agency'' means the guaranty agency in the State 

for which the Secretary has signed a Basic Program Agreement under this 

section.

    (2) The lender-of-last-resort must make subsidized Federal Stafford 

loans and unsubsidized Federal Stafford loans to any eligible student 

who--

    (i) Qualifies for interest benefits pursuant to Sec. 682.301;

    (ii) Qualifies for a combined loan amount of at least $200; and

    (iii) Has been otherwise unable to obtain loans from another 

eligible lender for the same period of enrollment.

    (3) The lender-of-last resort may make unsubsidized Federal Stafford 

and Federal PLUS loans to borrowers who have been otherwise unable to 

obtain those loans from another eligible lender.

    (4) The guaranty agency must develop policies and operating 

procedures for its lender-of-last-resort program that provide for the 

accessibility of lender-of-last-resort loans. These policies and 

procedures must be submitted to the Secretary for approval as required 

under paragraph (d)(2) of this section. The policies and procedures for 

the agency's lender-of-last-resort program must ensure that--

    (i) The guaranty agency will serve eligible students attending any 

eligible school;

    (ii) The program establishes operating hours and methods of 

application designed to facilitate application by students; and

    (iii) Information about the availability of loans under the program 

is made available to schools in the State;

    (iv) Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that borrowers receiving 

loans under the program are appropriately counseled on their loan 

obligation;

    (v) The guaranty agency will respond to a student within 60 days 

after the student submits an original complete application; and

    (vi) Borrowers are not required to obtain more than two objections 

from eligible lenders prior to requesting assistance under the lender-

of-last-resort program.

    (5)(i) Upon request of the guaranty agency, the Secretary may 

advance Federal funds to the agency, on terms and conditions agreed to 

by the Secretary and the agency, to ensure the availability of loan 

capital for subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford and Federal 

PLUS loans to borrowers who are otherwise unable to obtain those loans 

if the Secretary determines that--

    (A) Eligible borrowers in a State who qualify for subsidized Federal 

Stafford



[[Page 696]]



loans are seeking and are unable to obtain subsidized Federal Stafford 

loans;

    (B) The guaranty agency designated for that State has the capability 

for providing lender-of-last-resort loans in a timely manner, either 

directly or indirectly using a third party, in accordance with the 

guaranty agency's obligations under the Act, but cannot do so without 

advances provided by the Secretary; and

    (C) It would be cost-effective to advance Federal funds to the 

agency.

    (ii) If the Secretary determines that the designated guaranty agency 

does not have the capability to provide lender-of-last-resort loans, in 

accordance with paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section, the Secretary may 

provide Federal funds to another guaranty agency, under terms and 

conditions agreed to by the Secretary and the agency, to make lender-of-

last-resort loans in that State.

    (d) Review of forms and procedures. (1) The guaranty agency shall 

submit to the Secretary its write-off criteria and procedures. The 

agency may not use these materials until the Secretary approves them.

    (2) The guaranty agency shall promptly submit to the Secretary its 

regulations, statements of procedures and standards, agreements, and 

other materials that substantially affect the operation of the agency's 

program, and any proposed changes to those materials. Except as provided 

in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the agency may use these materials 

unless and until the Secretary disapproves them.

    (3) The guaranty agency must use common application forms, 

promissory notes, Master Promissory Notes (MPN), and other common forms 

approved by the Secretary.

    (4)(i) The Secretary authorizes the use of the multi-year feature of 

the MPN--

    (A) For students and parents for attendance at four-year or 

graduate/professional schools; and

    (B) For students and parents for attendance at other institutions 

meeting criteria or otherwise designated at the sole discretion of the 

Secretary.

    (ii) The Secretary may prohibit use of the multi-year feature of the 

MPN at specific schools described under paragraph (4)(i) of this section 

under circumstances including, but not limited to, the school being 

subject to an emergency action or a limitation, suspension, or 

termination action, or not meeting other performance criteria determined 

by the Secretary.

    (iii) A student or parent borrower who is borrowing funds for 

attendance at a school for which the multi-year feature of the MPN has 

not been authorized must complete a new promissory note for each 

academic year.

    (iv) Each loan made under an MPN is enforceable in accordance with 

the terms of the MPN and is eligible for claim payment based on a true 

and exact copy of such MPN.

    (v) A lender's ability to make additional loans under an MPN will 

automatically expire upon the earliest of--

    (A) The date the lender receives written notification from the 

borrower requesting that the MPN no longer be used as the basis for 

additional loans;

    (B) Twelve months after the date the borrower signed the MPN if no 

disbursements are issued by the lender under that MPN; or

    (C) Ten years from the date the borrower signed the MPN or the date 

the lender receives the MPN. However, if a portion of a loan is made on 

or before 10 years from the signature date, remaining disbursements of 

that loan may be made.

    (vi) The lender and school must develop and document a confirmation 

process in accordance with guidelines established by the Secretary for 

loans made under the multi-year feature of the MPN.

    (5) The guaranty agency must develop and implement appropriate 

procedures that provide for the granting of a student deferment as 

specified in Sec. 682.210(a)(6)(iv) and (c)(3) and require their 

lenders to use these procedures.

    (6) The guaranty agency shall ensure that all program materials meet 

the requirements of Federal and State law, including, but not limited 

to, the Act and the regulations in this part and part 668.

    (e) Prohibited inducements. A guaranty agency may not--

    (1) Offer directly or indirectly any premium, payment, or other 

inducement to an employee or student of a



[[Page 697]]



school, or an entity or individual affiliated with a school, to secure 

applicants for FFEL loans, except that a guaranty agency is not 

prohibited from providing assistance to schools comparable to the kinds 

of assistance provided by the Secretary to schools under, or in 

furtherance of, the Federal Direct Loan Program;

    (2)(i) Offer, directly or indirectly, any premium, incentive 

payment, or other inducement to any lender, or any person acting as an 

agent, employee, or independent contractor of any lender or other 

guaranty agency to administer or market FFEL loans, other than 

unsubsidized Stafford loans or subsidized Stafford loans made under a 

guaranty agency's lender-of-last-resort program, in an effort to secure 

the guaranty agency as an insurer of FFEL loans. Examples of prohibited 

inducements include, but are not limited to--

    (A) Compensating lenders or their representatives for the purpose of 

securing loan applications for guarantee;

    (B) Performing functions normally performed by lenders without 

appropriate compensation;

    (C) Providing equipment or supplies to lenders at below market cost 

or rental; or

    (D) Offering to pay a lender, that does not hold loans guaranteed by 

the agency, a fee for each application forwarded for the agency's 

guarantee.

    (ii) For the purposes of this section, the terms ``premium'', 

``inducement'', and ``incentive'' do not include services directly 

related to the enhancement of the administration of the FFEL Program the 

guaranty agency generally provides to lenders that participate in its 

program. However, the terms ``premium'', ``inducement'', and 

``incentive'' do apply to other activities specifically intended to 

secure a lender's participation in the agency's program.

    (3) Mail or otherwise distribute unsolicited loan applications to 

students enrolled in a secondary school or a postsecondary institution, 

or to parents of those students, unless the potential borrower has 

previously received loans insured by the guaranty agency;

    (4) Conduct fraudulent or misleading advertising concerning loan 

availability.



(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 

1845-0020)



(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1078, 1078-1, 1078-2, 1078-3, 1082)



[57 FR 60323, Dec. 18, 1992, as amended at 58 FR 9120, Feb. 19, 1993; 59 

FR 22454, Apr. 29, 1994; 59 FR 25746, May 17, 1994; 59 FR 32923, June 

27, 1994; 59 FR 33353, June 28, 1994; 59 FR 61428, Nov. 30, 1994; 60 FR 

30788, June 12, 1995; 60 FR 31411, June 15, 1995; 60 FR 61757, Dec. 1, 

1995; 61 FR 60436, 60486, Nov. 27, 1996; 62 FR 63434, Nov. 28, 1997; 64 

FR 18978, Apr. 16, 1999; 64 FR 58627, Oct. 29, 1999; 64 FR 58959, Nov. 

1, 1999; 65 FR 65650, Nov. 1, 2000; 66 FR 34763, June 29, 2001; 67 FR 

67079, Nov. 1, 2002; 68 FR 75429, Dec. 31, 2003]