When the U.S. Department of Education announces draft cohort default rates in February, there still is time to review the file and submit appeals before final rates are published in September. Schools have 45 days after the draft rates are released to examine their cohort rates to determine if some borrowers can be removed from the calculation and potentially lower the final rates.

USA Funds^® debt management consultants are offering a series of webcasts dedicated specifically to evaluating the draft file and submitting appeals.

The webcasts will provide step-by-step assistance for those who would like to know:

• How do I obtain the draft files?
• What is included in these files?
• What do I do with the files once I have them?
• How do I read the data?
• What is the significance of the numerator and the denominator?
• What are the types of cohort appeals?
• Where do I look to support my findings?
• What kind of documentation do I need?
• How do I submit my appeals?
• When and where do I send the appeals?
• When will I find out if my data is accepted? 

Webcasts also will provide examples of templates and letters that are required when submitting documentation and are scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern time on the following dates:

• Feb. 4 — 1 p.m. Eastern time.
• Feb. 9 — 1 p.m. Eastern time.
• Feb. 17 — 1 p.m. Eastern time.

Complete the information on the next page to register for the webcast.