November 9, 2010

Updates to Federal Need Analysis, COD System

Federal Need Analysis Methodology Revision

Earlier this year, ED revised the tables used in the Federal Need Analysis Methodology to calculate a student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) for the 2011-2012 school year. Information about the update can be found in the Federal Register PDF.

Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System Updates

Additional COD system implementation information is available for the 2010-2011 school year. As of Oct. 9, 2010, COD will send additional correspondence via e-mail to borrowers attending a school that has the COD system. This COD correspondence includes:

• Borrower Credit Acceptance Notices
• Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized MPN Notices
• 15-day reminder notices

The COD system will also continue to mail borrowers paper 30-day and 60-day reminder letters. Please note that if an e-mail address is not on file, then the COD system will continue to mail paper notices to the borrower.

On Oct. 9, the COD system began implementing functionality to support Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant processing. Students who are not Pell-eligible and had a parent or guardian die as a result of service in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001 may be eligible for a Service Grant equivalent to the maximum Federal Pell Grant. Therefore, all Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants must be submitted via the COD website. Please note that batch processing for these grants will not be available.

If you have questions, contact the COD School Relations Center at 800.474.7268 for information about grants or 800.848.0978 for information about Direct Loans. You may also e-mail COD at CODSupport@acs-inc.com.