Thinking of Federal aid for Distance Programs...

at foreign schools? Apparently, forget it.
Here is an email I received from a banker in Seattle regarding Federal Stafford loans at Wales-Lampeter.

MY EMAIL>>>>>

"Greetings,

I am considering a distance Ph.D. with University of Wales, Lampeter from here in the states. They referred me to your office for more information. I will need...

1. A Guarantor for the student loan
2. A Deferrment for my current loans.

Is this a possibility?

Thanks for your time.

Dan Burrello"


The Response>>>>>>>>>>>

"Hello Dan,

Thank you for inquiring with NELA on this important decision.

Unfortunately, due to the Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) of 2005, " students enrolled in a program offered by a foreign school that uses telecommunications to provide some of the instruction to students who are separated from the instructor may not receive Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) funds." This would include all Stafford and PLUS loans. This change in regulation became effective on July 1, 2006.

Based on your email, you would not be eligible to receive any federal aid in this Ph.D program at the University of Wales, Lampeter. Students enrolled in telecommunication/distance learning programs at schools located in the United States are eligible for FFELP funds.

If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Sincerely,

XXXX XXXXXXX
Customer Relations Manager
XXXX
Seattle, WA 98109"

Boy, does that ever suck? Well, there is always South Africa.