Functional Statements > Federal Student Aid

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FSA COMPONENTS

A. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer is responsible for effective management of Federal Student Aid (FSA) as a Performance-Based Organization (PBO). The Chief Operating Officer (COO) manages operations and support functions to ensure that best-in-business performance is consistently delivered.

Policy Liaison and Implementation Staff

The Policy Liaison and Implementation Staff serves as the principal advisor to the COO on all FSA program policy issues and facilitates FSA’s involvement in the development, implementation and dissemination of FSA program policy.

Policy Issue Identification

• Identify policy issues affecting the administrative, accounting and financial management of the FSA (FSA) delivery system and refer these matters to the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) for resolution.
• Assist the COO in providing advice to OPE in development of regulations, policies, administrative guidance and procedures affecting the information systems administered by FSA and other functions performed by FSA.
• Identify legislative and regulatory changes for improving service to FSA recipients and for improving the efficiency and integrity of the student financial assistance programs and recommend such changes to OPE.

Policy Formulation

• Develop and submit policy options, including impact statements, for consideration of senior Departmental political and executive management.
• Advise and collaborate with OPE in the development of regulations, policies, and administrative guidance affecting the information systems administered by FSA and other functions performed by FSA.

Policy Decisions

• Work with all relevant FSA offices to implement OPE policy decisions.
• Report to the COO and OPE Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning and Innovation on status of the implementation of those policy decisions.

Policy Dissemination

• Provide policy guidance and OPE policy interpretations to both internal ED colleagues and to external partners and customers (e.g.; schools, lenders agencies and associations).
• Respond to policy queries submitted by internal and external parties either directly or through other FSA operating units (e.g.; customer service, system call centers, Case Management, Financial Partners and FSA Training Branch).
• Draft Bulletins and Dear Partner letters (i.e., administrative communications to participating entities related to policy implementation and operational issues).
• Support FSA training on new and existing policies.

Policy Implementation

• Ensure consistency and integration of FSA policy across FSA programs and operations.
• Support FSA program operations and assist management in implementing FSA policy decisions and serving as liaison between FSA offices and OPE in resolving issues related to policy implementation.
• Prepare and publish Federal Register Notices for Data Matching Agreements, Systems of Records, etc.
• Develop and prepare for government clearance various forms required for the FSA programs.