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DEC 1 1989
To: Schools and Lenders
Participating in the Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) Program
Subject: Recent Changes
in the Resident Alien Card
School Policy Memorandum # 17
Lender Policy Memorandum # 89-15
The Department recently
learned from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) that any Resident
Alien Card (Form 1-551) issued on or after August 1, 1989, includes an expiration
date. For a permanent resident whose status is not conditional, the I-551 will
expire 10 years from the date of issuance. A student with an I-551 which expires
10 years from the date of issuance is eligible for a HEAL loan, since the permanent
resident status is not conditional.
For a permanent resident
whose status is conditional, in accordance with provisions of the Immigration
Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986 (IMFA), the I-551 will expire 2 years from
the date of issuance. At that time, the applicant will be required to meet conditions
set forth in the IMFA to obtain a new I-551. A student with an I-551 which expires
2 years from the date of issuance continues to be ineligible for a HEAL loan,
since this reflects a conditional permanent resident status.
Since all I-551s issued
on or after August 1, 1989, have an expiration date, schools and lenders must
check the Class Code indicated on the I-551 to determine whether a permanent
resident is eligible for a HEAL loan. A Class Code of "CR", meaning Conditional
Resident, indicates that the applicant is ineligible for a HEAL loan. Applicants
with any other Class 'Code are eligible for a HEAL loan, provided that they
meet the other eligibility requirements.
Please contact Ms. Terri
Ehrenfeld or Mr. Glenn King of the HEAL. Branch on 301 443-1540 if you have
any questions on this policy memorandum.
Michael Heningburg
Director
Division of Student Assistance
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