**Using IFAP to Locate Direct Loan Information**

The U.S. Department of Education provides a plethora of information regarding the Direct Loan program.  However, not all of the information is in one place.  Regulatory information regarding the program would be found in a different location from technical information.

The following information is a “road map” of Direct Loan information.

You’re probably very familiar with the IFAP (***Information for Financial Aid Professionals)*** website and are saying “there’s no Direct Loan information on this page!”  Oh, but there is!  You just have to know where to find it.  No need to search; we are going to tell you what it is, where it is, and answer your question “what’s in it for me (WII-FM).”

**What is it?**  A computer-based tutorial on how to use COD to:

· process your Direct Loans and Title IV Grants

· access and use reports

· resolve rejects

· search for data, and

· conduct PLUS credit checks

**Where is it?**www.ifap.ed.gov, under Tools for Schools

**WII-FM?**  Free training.  It is self-paced, so you can take as much or as little training as you’d like.  And, you can access it from any computer with internet access, so it is available where you are

**What is it?**  A web-based tutorial on how to use FSA’s free software.  Click on the Direct Loans tab for lessons on processing your loan data.

**Where is it?**www.ifap.ed.gov, under Tools for Schools

**WII-FM?**  Free training on a free product.  It is self-paced, so you can take as much or as little training as you’d like.  And, you can access it from any computer with internet access, so it is available where you are.

**What is it?**  A way for you to have Direct Loan information sent directly to your email Inbox.

**Where is it?**www.ifap.ed.gov, under Tools for Schools.  Click on “Listserves/Mailing Lists.”

**WII-FM?**  No time to go and check IFAP all the time to see what is new in Direct Loans and other Title IV programs?  Sign up here and have an IFAP digest sent to you via email.  Or, if you sign up for the Direct Loan Listserv, you will receive Direct Loan Bulletins about policy, system changes, technical issues and other critical information related specifically to the Direct Loan program sent directly to your inbox.

**What is it?**  A letter from FSA that contains information of great importance to Direct Loan schools.

**Where is it?**www.ifap.ed.gov, under Letters and Bulletins.  Click on “Dear Partner/Colleague Letters,” then click on “By Direct Loan Bulletins.”

**WII-FM?**  The bulletins are sorted by calendar year, and provide much needed information on Direct Loan regulations, policy and processing issues.

**What is it?**  The Blue Book contains information on accounting, recordkeeping and reporting by postsecondary educational institutions for federally funded student financial aid programs.  Chapter 17 is specifically about Direct Loans.

**Where is it?**www.ifap.ed.gov, under Publications.

**WII-FM?**  The Blue Book will be very useful when determining how to set up your bank accounts for Direct Loans, explaining the reconciliation process, and figuring out how to return funds electronically.

**What is it?**  The COD Technical Reference provides information on the technical aspects of submitting your Direct Loan data to COD

**Where is it?**www.ifap.ed.gov, under Publications.  Click on “Software Technical References.”

**WII-FM?**  You can find almost anything electronic and Direct Loan related here!  Want to know what a reject code 140 is and how to resolve it?  Check***Volume II, Section 4***.  Want to know what Direct Loan reports are available from COD and how to get them***?***Check***Volume VI, Section 8***.  Want to know what message class DSLD08OP means?  Check***Volume II, Section 2.***

**What is it?**  A compilation of all regulations issued by the agencies of the Federal government.  The CFR is divided into numbered titles. Title 34 contains the regulations of the Department of Education.  Title 34 is broken down into parts.  Part 685 is specific to Direct Loans.

**Where is it?**www.ifap.ed.gov, under Laws and Regulations

**WII-FM?**  Want to know which regulation requires that Direct Loan schools reconcile monthly, or which one states that disbursement records be submitted within 30 days of the disbursement date?  Those regulations are all right here.

**What is it?**  A website dedicated to all things Direct Loans.

**Where is it?**www.ifap.ed.gov, click the Other Links in the header bar.  On the new page, select the letter “D”, then select Direct Student Loans.

**WII-FM?**  You can order Direct Loan publications, and get information about how to participate in the Direct Loan program.  There are also links to the Direct Loan eMPN, Direct Loan Servicing, and Direct Loan Consolidation websites.

**What is it?**  It is a streamlined method for processing, storing, and reconciling your Direct Loan data, as well as your Federal Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART Grant data.  Click the highlighted link on the COD homepage site for more information.

**Where is it?**www.ifap.ed.gov, click the Other Links in the header bar.  On the new page, select the letter “C”, then select Common Origination and Disbursement (COD).  OR, go there directly at cod.ed.gov.

**WII-FM?**  You may view your Direct Loan data, get updates on what’s new with COD, and also troubleshoot and resolve problems. You may access and/or view reports, monitor your cash, change your passwords, search for eMPNs, conduct credit checks for Direct PLUS Loans, and much, MUCH more!

Common Origination and Disbursement CBT

EDExpress Basics:

The Direct Loan module

Listservs/Mailing Lists

The Blue Book

Direct Loan Bulletins

The COD Technical Reference

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (specifically part 685)

Direct Loan website

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Common Origination and Disbursement website

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Locating Direct Loan Information on IFAP1

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