What are the sources for the information held in the NSLDS database?

? (GEN 96-13, Q & A 37)

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About the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

1.  What is NSLDS?

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The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the national database of information about loans and grants awarded to students under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. NSLDS provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants during their complete life cycle, from aid approval through disbursement, repayment, deferment, delinquency, and closure.

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2.  What are the sources for the information held in the NSLDS database?

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Information and data for NSLDS is received from the following sources: 

Guaranty Agencies, for information on the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)

Department of Education Loan Servicers (ED Servicers)

Department of Education Debt Collection Services (DCS), for information on defaulted loans held by the Department of Education

Direct Loan Servicing (DLS), for information on Federal Direct Student Loans

Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), for Federal Grant Programs information

Conditional Disability Discharge Tracking System (CDDTS), for disability loan information

Central Processing System (CPS), for aid applicant information

Schools, for information on Federal Perkins Loan Program, student enrollment and aid overpayments.Return to top of page

3.  How often is the information and data updated on the NSLDS system?

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For a specific organization's loan reporting schedule, search for the organization using the Data Provider Schedule link on the Org tab. GAs report loan information at least monthly, many, more frequently. Schools or their servicers report Perkins loan information monthly. Schools or their servicers report overpayments within 30 days of discovery of the overpayment. The DCS and DLS report information weekly. COD reports information daily on Pell, SMART and ACG grants. Schools and guaranty agencies also report enrollment at least monthly.Return to top of page

4.  Can I update loan information and personal identifiers online?

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For almost all users, the answer is ''No.'' Schools do not have the ability to update loans or personal identifiers online. Only data providers can update loan related information, usually through their regular submittals to NSLDS. However, limited users from a GA can update loan related information online.