Federal Student Aid - IFAP
   
Enclosure 2 - Questions and Answers

1. Q. How can you determine if a course is a telecommunications course or a correspondence course when the course is delivered using a video cassette or disc recording?

A. The course would be considered a telecommunications course if the institution also delivers instruction, comparable to that offered on the cassette or disc, to students physically attending classes at the institution during the same award year.

If the course offered on the cassette or disc is not offered to students physically attending classes at the institution during the same award year, it is considered a correspondence course.

2. Q. Is a student enrolled in a correspondence or telecommunications course eligible to receive Title IV, HEA Program funds for that course?

A. Correspondence students

If the student is enrolled in a program leading to an associate, bachelor’s, or graduate or professional degree, the student is eligible to receive Title IV, HEA Program funds. If the student is enrolled in a postsecondary vocational program leading to a certificate, diploma, or similar type of credential, the student is not eligible to receive Title IV, HEA Program funds.

Telecommunications students

There is no special limit on the eligibility of telecommunication students to receive Title IV, HEA Program funds as long as the telecommunication course is considered a telecommunication course and not a correspondence course. However, if the telecommunications course is considered a correspondence course (because the total of telecommunication and correspondence courses equals or exceeds 50 percent of the institution's courses) the above correspondence limitation applies.

3. Q. May an institution choose not to award Title IV aid to otherwise eligible students who are enrolled in distance education courses or programs?

A. No, an institution may not make a blanket determination that it will refuse to provide Title IV aid to students enrolled in distance education programs or courses. However, an institution may refuse to certify an FFEL application or originate a Direct Loan (or may reduce the amount of the FFEL or Direct Loan) for a student if the decision is made on a case-by-case basis, and the reason (not merely because the student is a distance education student) is provided to the student in writing and documented in the student's file.