Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (Privacy Act), the U.S. Department of Education (Department) publishes this notice of a new system of records entitled "Aid Awareness and Application Processing" (18-11-21) and of the rescindment of the system of records notices entitled "Federal Student Aid Application File" (18-11-01) and "Customer Engagement Management System (CEMS)" (18-11-11). The Aid Awareness and Application Processing system of records consolidates the Federal Student Aid Application File and CEMS system of records notices to create a new system of records notice that combines customer information necessary for the Department to process customer applications for Federal student financial program assistance under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA); to perform the duties and responsibilities of the Federal Student Aid (FSA) Ombudsman; and, separately, to provide Federal student loan repayment relief including under the borrower defense to repayment regulations. The Department's will use the new Digital and Customer Care (DCC) information technology (IT) system to accomplish these functions and duties. The Department will also use DCC IT to make customers aware of aid program opportunities and updates under title IV of the HEA via digital communication channels and establishes the StudentAid.gov website as the front end for assisting customers with all their Federal student financial aid needs throughout the student aid lifecycle.