NPRC MEETS WITH DEPT OF EDUCATION & WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS UNIVERSITY OF PR FEDERAL FUNDS SITUATION

NPRC PRESIDENT RAFAEL FANTAUZZI AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM ASPIRA, UNIVERSITY OF PR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION (UPRAA), PRFAA, OFFICE OF CONGRESSWOMAN NYDIA VELAZQUEZ, AND OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN PEDRO PIERLUISI PATICIPATED IN A MEETING HELD YESTERDAY WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEPT OF EDUCATION AND THE WHITE HOUSE TO DISCUSS THE LOSS OF ELIGIBILITY OF FEDERAL AID FUNDS BY THE UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO (UPR) CAMPUSES DUE TO THE RECENT STUDENT STOPPAGE.

"WE WERE VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE TRANSPARENCY AND WILLINGNESS FROM THE DEPT OF EDUCATION TO HELP THE UPR SYSTEM REGAIN ITS ELIGIBILITY STATUS AS SOON AS THE UPR ADMINISTRATION SUBMITS ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS," STATED RAFAEL A. FANTAUZZI, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN COALITION. "THESE FUNDS ARE THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF ASSISTANCE FOR THE STUDENTS OF THE LARGEST HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION IN THE NATION. ACCORDING TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE, ERIC WALDO, THE MOST DIFFICULT TASK FOR REINSTATMENT IS ADQUIRING THE SIGNATURES NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE PAPERWORK. NO DISRUPTION OF FUND DISBURSEMENT FOR THE FALL SEMESTER SHOULD BE IMPACTED IF PAPERWORK IS EXPEDITED."

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROVIDED NPRC THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT.

Our on the record statement

Any institution that ceases to provide educational programs for a reason other than a scheduled vacation period or a natural disaster will lose its eligibility to participate in federal student aid programs. Because the strike by students attending the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) resulted in the institution closing for several weeks, UPR lost federal student aid eligibility.

Students attending UPR for the 2009-2010 academic year have already received aid for that term and were not affected by this issue. Because there are no classes being offered for the summer term, there is still enough time for UPR to reapply for eligibility before fall classes begin.

The Department of Education is working closely with UPR officials to help them reapply for eligibility to receive federal student aid and will work to reinstate them as soon as it is possible. If UPR provides all the required materials in a timely manner, the Department of Education anticipates that no students should lose federal student aid for the upcoming fall term as a result of this issue.

Background information

UPR ceased offering classes at most, if not all, campuses on or around April 21, 2010
Under the provisions of 34 C.F.R. Section 600.40(a)(1)(iii) an institution loses its eligibility under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, (HEA) on the date that it ceases to provide educational programs for a reason other than a normal vacation period or a natural disaster.
The student strike at UPR resulted in UPR closing for several weeks this spring.
Due to the interruption in scheduled classes, UPR lost its eligibility to participate in the HEA student assistance programs and for other HEA programs.
On Tuesday, July 6, 2010, the US Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Office sent a letter to the President of UPR, Dr. Jose R. de la Torre, informing him of this situation. The letter also detailed steps already being taken to help UPR reapply for eligibility.
The Department of Education is working closely with UPR to help them reapply for certification.
Students attending UPR for the 2009-2010 academic year have already received aid for that term and will not be affected by this issue because UPR will make up the classes that were interrupted by the strike.
Upon receipt of the required documentation from the school, the Department of Education will work as quickly as possible to reinstate UPR.
Assuming there is no additional stoppage of classes and if UPR provides all the required materials in a timely manner, the Department of Education anticipates that no students should lose federal student aid as a result of this issue.
If UPR was forced to stop offering classes for the fall term due to another strike, UPR would again lose its eligibility to receive federal funds and need to reapply after classes resumed.