Title: CFlags: A Case Study Approach
1C-Flags A Case Study Approach
- Facilitators Barbara Wakie Dzelika Daniel
2What is a C-flag?
- The C code is generated by the CPS as an
indicator. - Data matches are conducted with the CPS data and
other federal databases. - C-flags must be resolved. The school may collect
adequate documentation and/or corrections are
made to the ISIR.
3- CPS Database matches are conducted with the
following federal organizations - Department of Veterans Affairs
- National Student Loan Data System
- Social Security Administration
- Selective Service
- Department of Justice
- Department of Homeland Security
4Department of Veterans Affairs(VA)
- Any applicant who answers Yes to being a
veteran of the armed forces has their name,
social security , and DOB forwarded through the
matches. - Codes162,173,180
5How to resolve VA C flags?
-
- School can collect documentation.DD214
(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active
Duty, with Character of Service, anything but
dishonorable. - If the VA results are correct, make
changes to ISIR to reflect correction, and
provide parental information. - School can collect documentation of
discharge or upcoming - discharge
- Record found at VA, but not
- considered an eligible veteran, and
- not considered independent for
- another reason.
- Record not found at VA, and not
- considered independent for another
- reason.
- Record found at VA but applicant is
- on active duty, and not considered
- independent for another reason.
6VA Resolutions
- No Veteran Match Not considered an independent
for another reason, parent information must be
listed on FAFSA. -
- National Guardsman or a reservist served on
active duty for anything other than training but
did not get a DD214. - Can accept letter from a superior officer that
documents call up to active duty and
classifies the character service as anything but
dishonorable. - Student is considered a veteran.
- Student can contact VA to update database.
- Active duty letter from commanding officer
stating he will be discharged before 6/30/07.
7NSLDS (National Student Loan Database System)
- Overpayments of FSEOG and/or Pell
- SSN does not match Name and DOB
- Loan Default
- Loan discharge (due to disability, bankruptcy)
- Exceeded Aggregate Loan Limit (over
subsidized/unsubsidized/total) - Codes010,020,038,039,041,042,043,065,066,067,077,
079,086,090,100,101, - 102,107,115,116,124,132,133,134,135,136,138,254,25
6,260
8How to resolve NSLDS
- SSN Match , No Name
- match
-
- Loan in Default
- If SSN does not match
- DOB
-
- Access NSLDS online to confirm student. If record
belongs to student, use NSLDS information - Default must be cleared or student must have
satisfactory repayment arrangement and account
status has to be up to date/no longer in default - Need documentation from the loan holder or WAIT
for updated NSLDS info - See clearing SSA mismatches
9NSLDS
- Overpayment must be cleared or student must make
satisfactory repayment arrangement and account
status has to be up to date - Obtain documentation from the holder of the
overpayment or WAIT for update to NSLDS - Both must be satisfied as stated above
- Overpayment in grant
- If both overpayment in
- Grant and default in
- loan
10NSLDS
- Review NSLDS to get status of discharge.
- If discharged for disability, letter from doctor
re students ability to participate in
substantial, gainful activity. - Bankruptcy status may be allowed to borrow if
loans in active bankruptcy status are not
defaulted. - Ineligible for Title IV unless excess debt is
repaid. - Can not borrow Subsidized
- Can not borrow Unsubsidized
- In the case of Additional Unsubsidized based
on PLUS denial, student must remit proof of
denial from lender, previous institution or Dept
of Ed.
- Loan
- Discharge/bankruptcy
-
- Exceeded Aggregate
- Subsidized
- Unsubsidized
11Social Security Administration
- The social security number reported is matched
against SSA - database for confirmation of name and DOB.
- You must resolve any problems with the SS match
before disbursing - aid. If the Social Security Number is not
found in SSA database, the students application
will be rejected. - Student reported wrong SSN, correct FAFSA data.
- The application will go through matches and
if confirmed, will be eligible. -
- Codes053,146,064
12SSANumber Issues
- Student reported wrong
- SSN on the FAFSA.
- FAFSA data entry error.
- Error in the SSA
- Database.
- Student must provide the correct SSN to
the CPS. -
- Student contacts FSAIC(Federal Student Aid
Information Center) at 1800-4-FED-AID. - Info Center confirms data entry error, it will
refer the error to the Dept to correct, student
need not submit change. -
- Student must contact SSA to make update. Student
must report correct SSN and provide
documentation. - Database is updated, student can submit a
correction by re-entering the SSN originally
reported since it is a correction. CPS does
another match.
13SSA No match on name or DOB
- No Name Match.
- Application has conflicting information if
student or parents ssn is in SSA but name is
different than reported on FAFSA. - Name on SS card must be the same as reported on
FAFSA. - Student submits documentation to FAA and makes
corrections with SSA to update database. - Name is accurate on FAFSA, but does not match the
SS card, student can override by changing the
name on FAFSA to match the name which is on the
SS card. Student must follow up with SSA to make
corrections. -
- No DOB Match
- DOB is accurate on FAFSA, but does not match SSA
database, student first makes corrections to go
through match process again. - If mismatched a second time, then student
presents school with documentation to prove true
DOB. Student must follow up with SSA to make
corrections.
14Selective Service
- Not confirmed as Registered because
- Did not answer, Are you male?
- Applicant is too old or missing date elements
- Student did not register
- Codes030,033,057,064
15How to resolve Selective Service?
- The Selective Service reported that you did not
register with them. - If female or born before 1960, registration not
required. - If not already registered, male and between the
ages of 18 and 25 student must answer Yes to
registering or - Complete registration at Post Office or online at
www.sss.gov. - If the student believes they are registered
already or exempt, they must contact SSS at
1-847-688-6888. - If the student is male and above the age of 26,
they cannot use the SAR to register. They must
contact Selective Service System to resolve their
status before receiving federal aid. - Student will provide school with Selective
Service Registration Acknowledgment, Status
Information Letter (Waiver or Exemption). - Codes053,146,064
16Department of Justice (DOJ)
- In response to Drug Eligibility question.
- Applicant is found on DOJ Debarment File at CPS
- The student self-certifies in applying for aid
that they are eligible. - Codes053,056,058,054
17DOJ
- Possession of Illegal Drugs
- 1st offense 1yr from date of conviction
- 2nd offense 2yrs from date of conviction
- 3 offenses Indefinite period
- Sale of Illegal Drugs
- 1st offense 2 yrs from date of conviction
- 2 offenses Indefinite period
18DOJ
- If student was convicted of both possessing and
selling illegal drugs, and the period of
ineligibility are different, student will be
ineligible for the longer period. - A student regains eligibility the day after the
period of ineligibility ends - Or when they successfully complete a drug
rehabilitation program. Further drug convictions
will make them ineligible again. - Refer to the Federal Student Guide for criteria
of a qualified drug rehabilitation program.
19Department of Homeland Security
- No match to citizenship and Alien Reg
- Answered Yes to eligible non-citizen but blank
or invalid Alien Reg - Codes046,105,109,141,142,144
20DHS Confirmation
- Ineligible
- Family Unity Status (relief from deportation,
were once eligible) - Temp Residents (Allowed to work and live in the
US under Legalization or Special Agriculture
Worker program were once eligible) - Non-immigrant Visas (work, students, visitors,
foreign govt officials)
- Eligible
- Permanent resident (non-citizen who is permitted
to live and work in the USA) - Refugee (temp status, can apply for perm
resident) - Asylees (employment authorized for 1 yr, an end,
can apply for perm resident status will continue
unless revoked by DHS or until perm residence is
given) - Conditional entrants (Terminated in 1980)
- Parolees (must show intent to become Perm.
Resident) - Cuban-Haitian entrants
21DHS
- Alien Reg match DHS Confirmation
- (used in 2ndary Confirmation)
22DHS
- If SSA confirms citizenship, no reject. If SSA
did not confirm, Collect documentation then
correct citizenship and ARN. - Correct the ARN
- Automatic 2ndary Confirmation
- Will go thru match again. Determine why the
student made change. Student may have to submit
proof of citizenship, depends on reason for
change. - Wait at least 5 days for results. After 15 days,
begin paper G-845S process.
- Match not conducted-
- No response to Citizenship and Alien Reg
- Match not conducted-
- Responded as eligible non-cit but blank or
invalid ARN - DHS did not confirm as eligible non-citizen
- Student changed ARN after DHS confirmed as
Non-Citizen - If Auto 2ndary Confirm.
23DHSSecondary Confirmation
- Automated 2ndary Confirm did not confirm
- x status or additional info required by DHS
- Begin Paper Process
- Docs must provide proper evidence of eligible
non-cit status. If not, school can determine stu
ineligible before starting process.
24DHS
- Acceptable Documents
- Alien Registration Receipt I-151 (Green Cards)
- Permanent Resident Card (1997-) I-551
- Resident Alien Card (before 1997) I-551
- Student with approved application for permanent
resident waiting for Alien Registration Receipt
Card must have proper I-94 stamp.
25- Permanent residents
- Passport or Arrival/Departure Record (I-94)
- Passport or I-94 stamped Processed for I-551.
Temporary evidence of Lawful Admission for
Permanent Residence. Valid until_____.
Employment authorized. - I-94 stamped Temporary Form I-551. Admission
for permanent residence at ____(port)on____(date)
verified._____(signature of issuing
officer)________ (title).
26- Refugees
- I-94 with appropriate stamp indicating admission
as a refugee or status changed to that of refugee - Refugee Travel Document (form I-571)if not
expired - Asylees
- I-94 with stamp reading Asylum granted pursuant
to Section 208, USCIS. Valid to ___. Employment
authorized. - Conditional Entrants
- I-94 with stamp indication student has been
admitted to the US as a conditional entrant.
(prior to March 31, 1980). - Parolees
- I-94 stamp indicating student has been paroled
into the US for at least one year, with a date
that has not expired. - Cuban-Haitian Entrants
- I-94 with stamp indicating Cuban-Haitian entrant.
Valid even if expired.
27DHSDocuments Showing Non-Eligible Status
- Form I-797 Family Unity Program
- From I-668A, I-668B, I-766 and I-668 all related
to eligibility to work in the US - Non-immigrant Visa(ie. F1, J1)
- I-94 stamped Temporary Protected Status
- An application for permanent resident status is
not sufficient for receipt of Title IV aid.
28DHS
- Disbursement can be made pending DHS response if
- 15 business days have passed since documents were
submitted - And
- FAA believes the student meets the requirements
- Must
- Notate that USCIS had exceeded the time allotment
and eligibility was determined without their
verification. -
29Case 1 Eric Eligible Non Citizen
- C-Flag 109
- The Department of Homeland Security did not have
enough information to confirm your response that
you are an eligible noncitizen (Item 14). You
must contact the Financial Aid Administrator at
your school to find out what information is
needed. If you do not submit the required
information within 30 days, or longer if your
school allows, you may not be eligible for
federal student aid.
30Case1Resolution
- Student submitted a I-512L (Authorization for
Parole of an Alien into the United States travel
document) form which is not allowed documentation
for financial aid eligibility. - Student then submitted I-94 form stamped paroled
new August 2006 with expiration date of August
2007. - 2nd Confirmation still pending with USCIS.
- Is student eligible for Financial Aid?
- NO. 2nd confirmation outstanding and Student has
to have been in the country for at least one
year.
31Case 2Wilma Will-Have (green card by next
semester)
- C-Flag 109
- The Department of Homeland Security did not have
enough information to confirm your response that
you are an eligible noncitizen (Item 14). You
must contact the Financial Aid Administrator at
your school to find out what information is
needed. If you do not submit the required
information within 30 days, or longer if your
school allows, you may not be eligible for
federal student aid.
32Case 2 Resolution
- Student submitted parents documentation to proof
she would be receiving her green card. - Parents Form I-797C Application for Status as
Temporary Resident dated 2/2001 - Parents Form I-485 Application to Register
Permanent Resident dated 6/2002 - Parents Form G-56 Adjustment of Status
Interview dated 10/2003 - Students I-94 with no stamps posted
- Student was not eligible for financial aid
through out her fours years of college.
33Case Study 3 Daisy Disability
- C-Flag 115
- Student has one or more Title IV loans that were
discharged due to disability.
34Case 3 Resolution
- Student signed a statement acknowledging that any
loan that has been conditionally discharged may
not be discharged due to the same or any
disability existing at the time the borrower
applied for a total and permanent disability
discharge or when the new loan is made, unless
the disabling condition substantially
deteriorates to the extent that the definition of
total and permanent disability is met and
acknowledging that collection activity will
resume on any loans in a conditional discharge
period. - Student obtained a physicians statement
certifying that she was currently able to engage
in substantial gainful activity (defined as the
ability to work and earn money).
35References
- 2006-2007 Sar Comment Codes and Text, Department
of Education - 2006-2007 FSA Handbook Volume1-
- Student Eligibility
36Case Studies