On Oct. 25, 2011, President Obama announced a Special Direct Consolidation Loan Program, as one of two initiatives to help student loan borrowers manage federal student loan debt. 

Here are some resources to assist campus financial aid administrators in understanding the program and in counseling their borrowers about Special Direct Consolidation Loans.

• An Oct. 26, 2011, U.S. Department of Education Electronic Announcement, which provides a high-level description of Special Direct Consolidation Loans.
• A  Nov. 23, 2011, Electronic Announcement, which provides a high-level description of Special Direct Consolidation Loans, primarily for lenders and loan servicers.
• A  Dec. 28, 2011, Electronic Announcement, which provides updated information in preparation for the Jan. 17, 2012, start of the program.
• A Jan. 10, 2012, USA Funds Education Access Report article, “Recently Issued Materials Address Short-Term Consolidation Program.”
• A  Jan. 13, 2012, Electronic Announcement that confirms that federal servicers will begin contacting eligible borrowers Jan. 17, 2012.
• A  Jan. 18, 2012, Electronic Announcement advising that federal loan servicers have begun contacting eligible borrowers and that the online application is now available.
• A Jan. 20, 2012, Dear Colleague Letter, explaining the Loan Verification Certificate for Special Direct Consolidation Loans and the processing of the certificate by lenders and servicers.
• A Feb. 3, 2012, updated Questions and Answers information resource developed by NCHELP and SLSA.
• A Feb. 27, 2012, Electronic Announcement with updates and reminders about the program and process.
• A March 26, 2012, Electronic Announcement about improvements to the online application process.
• Subscribe to USA Funds Education Access Report for updates.
• U.S. Department of Education site for borrowers.
• Submit questions to USA Funds Ask Policy^SM experts for answers to your Special Direct Consolidation Loan policy questions.
• Fact Sheet: Counseling Borrowers About Special Direct Consolidation Loans and Other Options.