Electronic Cohort Default Rate (eCDR) Implementation

The Secretary gave notice, through publication of the Federal Register dated 02/25/03, of the implementation of electronic delivery of cohort default rate notification packages (eCDR) to institutions located in the United States (domestic institutions) that participate in the federal student aid programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. A dear colleague letter (GEN-03-05) posted on March 19, 2003 summarizes all aspects of the eCDR implementation.

Beginning with the release of the fiscal year (FY) 2001 draft cohort default rates in February 2003, the Department will electronically transmit draft and official cohort default rate notification packages to all schools located in the United States via the Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG). Through eCDR your school will receive draft and official cohort default rate packages instantly and electronically rather than through courier service as hard copy. These packages will be delivered to the destination point chosen by your school, including a third party servicer if desired.

Each eCDR package will contain: (1) a cover letter (message class SHDRLROP), (2) the school's loan record detail information in a reader-friendly format (message class SHCDRROP), and (3) the school's loan record detail information in an analysis-friendly extract format (message class SHCDREOP). Please refer to eCDR Download and File Reviewing Instructions.

This electronic delivery replaces the current process, which involves delivery of hardcopy packages. Domestic schools must participate in this new electronic process by June 1, 2003. Foreign schools are not required to participate in this electronic process. These schools will continue to receive their cohort default rate notification documents in hard copy. Except in the case of a technical problem caused by the U. S. Department of Education, after June 1, 2003 the electronic process will be the sole means by which the Secretary provides notice to domestic schools of their draft and official cohort default rates and underlying data. Schools must sign-up to participate in eCDR via the SAIG enrollment form available at www.fsawebenroll.ed.gov.

For each distribution cycle, the IFAP website (www.ifap.ed.gov) will announce the date when the Department will send the eCDR package to each school's designated SAIG account. The time periods for making appeals and challenges and seeking adjustments under 34 CFR part 668 subpart M will begin with the sixth business day after the date the default rate notification packages were transmitted to the SAIG destination points, as noted in the IFAP announcement. Foreign school rights to appeal, make challenges, and seek adjustments will continue to run from the date of receipt of the hardcopy notification letter or password letter (whichever is later).