Department of Education Publishes Revised Call for Comments on Deferment Forms – Perkins Included

July 15, 2015

Prepared by: Harrison Wadsworth (hwadsworth@wpllc.net)

In response to an inquiry from COHEAO members, the Department of Education today updated its call for comments on a new set of standard deferment forms that are designed to be used for Perkins, Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loans. The original notification on IFAP and in the Federal Register only mentioned Direct Loans. The notice also did not provide a clear path to reviewing the actual forms, but the Department now clarified that.

The proposed deferment forms are now available on the US government’s Regulations.gov website, under docket number ED-2015-ICCD-0028, at this link:
http://www.regulations.gov/#!searchResults;rpp=25;po=0;s=ED-2015-ICCD-0028;fp=true;ns=true

Click on “Open Docket Folder,” and then on “Forms and Instructions” (dated 7/14/2015) a page will open with a link to each of the revised deferment forms.

The Department is also changing the title of its postings on IFAP to specify that they are requesting comment on “Direct Loan/FFEL/Perkins Loan Program Deferment Request Forms.” Please note that for the first time Perkins deferment requests will have to be made using the same White House Office of Management and Budget-approved forms as are used for Direct Loans and FFELs.

COHEAO is continuing to work with the Department to provide comments and suggestions on the draft forms. The deadline for comments is August 6, 2015. COHEAO members can comment directly, or if you would like to be involved in the group initiative, please contact Lee Anne Wigdahl at lwigdahl@devrygroup.com.