Rumor has it that the new Higher Education Opportunities Act (HEOA) speaks about the calculation of 3-year cohort default rate. Is this true?
A. Yes, the HEOA states that beginning in 2012, we will begin releasing a 3-year cohort default rate. In fact, in year 2012, we will be issuing both the FY 09 3-year rate as well as the FY 10 2-year default rate. The same thing will happen in 2013. In 2014, we will only calculate the 3-year rate which is the first year that there will be three consecutive cohort years of 3-year rates and schools will be sanctioned based upon these rates. The denominator (date entered repayment) will continue to be for one year and the change will be to the numerator (default date) to encompass three years instead of two years. As more information is available, it will be posted on the Web site for your convenience.
