January 17, 2008

Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Student (HEROES) Update

The Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003, Public Law 108-76, gave the Secretary authority to issue waivers and modifications of statutory and regulatory financial aid provisions to assist persons affected by a military operation or national emergency. This authority was granted through September 30, 2005. On December 12, 2003, the Secretary published a Federal Register notice detailing the relief available to affected individuals.

Public Law 109-78 extended the Secretary's authority to grant waivers and modifications for affected individuals through September 30, 2007. This extension was published in the October 20, 2005 Federal Register.

Public Law 110-93, signed into law on September 30, 2007, made permanent the Secretary's authority to grant waivers. As a result of that extended authority, the Secretary announced in the December 26, 2007 Federal Register the extension of the HEROES waivers and modifications until September 30, 2012, unless the Secretary issues a notice in the Federal Register before that date terminating or changing those provisions.

OGSLP's HEROES Chart has been updated to reflect the extension.