What’s going on:
You might have heard that as of a few years ago, Carpe Mundi students lost access to financial aid (FAFSA) for their Carpe Mundi experience due to a federal audit of PSU. We got word last week that the Federal Department of Education is changing its guidance on the use of Title IV Funding (which means FAFSA, Pell Grants, and Direct Loans, among other financial aid) for “third party services” (organizations like Carpe Diem/Carpe Mundi and many others).
The proposed guidance states that Title IV funding cannot be used by students “if the servicer (or its subcontractors) is located outside of the United States or is owned or operated by an individual who is not a U.S. citizen or national or a lawful U.S. permanent resident. This prohibition applies to both foreign and domestic institutions.”
What we understand this to mean:
This is way bigger than just Carpe Mundi.
Starting on September 1, 2023 students at any US institution won’t be able to use their financial aid for study abroad programs that are run by an entity outside of the university.
We fear this means that financial aid won't be accessible for nearly any study abroad experience.
We see this is a huge equity issue!! Financial aid is instrumental in increasing access to study abroad programs for low-income students. Without it, our fear is that even fewer Pell-eligible students will be able to access study-abroad opportunities.
What we can do about it:
There is a public comment period regarding this guidance that is open until March 28th. We want to hear from you during this time! Ethan Knight (founder of Carpe Diem and Carpe Mundi) will also be going to DC in early April to meet with representatives from Oregon to advocate for the use of financial aid for study abroad programming. Ethan is coordinating with study abroad associations and providers, and we need your voices to make this personal for politicians!
Financial aid was a key piece of making your study abroad experience as affordable as possible. We want MORE students to have access to these types of opportunities, and all the benefits that come from them. By sharing your experience with financial aid and studying abroad, you can make sure your voice is a part of this conversation.
Here’s how we want to amplify your voice:
Easiest step: Share your thoughts in this google form about why using financial aid to study abroad was important for you. We’ll compile your responses and submit them to the comment board collectively. Ethan will also take your thoughts to DC with him. (The comment period is only open until March 28th - so we need this info by the 27th!)
Next step up: Feeling super passionate about this? Write a letter instead of filling out the google form and structure it as you like. Send us a letter.
Next, step up: Here’s the link where you can submit your comments regarding the guidance presented in this Dear Colleague Letter before March 30, 2023 via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at Regulations.gov, under Docket ID ED-2022-OPE-0103.
Taking it a step further: Submit your commentary via the steps above AND write to your federal representatives.
Make sure you mention the name of the guidance: (GEN-23-03) Requirements and Responsibilities for Third-Party Servicers and Institutions (Updated Feb. 28, 2023).
Find contact information for your Congressperson here
If your Congressperson is Earl Blumenauer
If your Congressperson is Suzanne Bonamici
If your Congressperson is Lori Chavez-DeRemer
If your Congressperson is Andrea Salinas
Since the public comment period is only open until March 28th - please respond by March 27th!
Thank you for your willingness to read this long email and share your experiences with a wider audience. We are grateful for your time and for sharing your voice.
Sending hugs,
Carpe Mundi