NASA logo NASA Headquarters' Directives
HQPR 3000.1
Effective Date: May 24, 2016
Expiration Date: May 24, 2021
Responsible Office: LE
Student Loan Repayment Program Plan
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Table of Contents | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | Chapter4 | Chapter5 | Chapter6 | Chapter7 | Chapter8 | Chapter9 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD

Chapter 2. Eligibility

2.1 Any employee who is highly qualified, is eligible to receive a student loan repayment. NASA employees on the following types of appointments are eligible to be considered for Federal student loan repayment assistance (see 5 CFR 537.104).

a. Permanent employees;

b. Employees serving a term appointment with at least 3 years remaining on their appointment;

c. Employees serving in excepted appointments with non- competitive conversion to term, career, or career- conditional appointments (e.g., Presidential Management Fellows, VRAs, and career interns);

d. Temporary employees who are serving on appointments leading to conversion to term or permanent appointments.

2.2 Employees receiving a physicians' comparability allowance (PCA) under 5 CFR 595.105(e) are eligible. However, the amount of their PCA is reduced by an amount equal to any loan repayment assistance received under this program.

2.3 Employees serving in confidential, policy determining, policymaking, or policy advocating positions (e.g., Schedule C employees) are not eligible.

2.4 Loans Covered Under this Policy:

2.4.1 Loans covered under The Higher Education Act include such loans as:

a. Federal Stafford Loans -- including Federal subsidized, Federal unsubsidized, direct subsidized, and direct unsubsidized loans;

b. Federal Plus Loans -- Federal and Direct Plus Loans;

c. Federal Consolidation Loans -- direct subsidized, direct unsubsidized, and Federal Consolidation Loans;

d. Defense Loans -- made before July 1, 1972;

e. National Direct Student Loans -- made between 7/1/72 and 7/1/87; and

f. Federal Perkins Loans (made after July 1, 1987).

2.4.2 Loans covered under the Public Health Service Act include loans made under:

a. Primary Care Loans;

b. Nursing Student Loans;

c. The Nursing Student Loan Program;

d. The Health Profession Student Loan Program; and

e. The Health Education Assistance Loan Program.

2.4.3 Federal Direct Student Loan: The U. S. Department of Education is the lender for these loans. Direct loans include Federal Direct PLUS loans and Federal Direct Stafford loans.

2.4.4 Federal Family Education Loan Program: These loans are insured by the Department of Education. Loans are privately issued by a bank, credit union, or other lender that participates in the Federal Family Education Loan Programs.

2.4.5 Subsidized Loan: The U.S. Government pays the interest on the loan while the student is in school, during the 6-month grace period, and during periods of authorized deferment.

2.4.6 Unsubsidized Loan: The student is responsible for paying the interest accrued while the student is in school, during the 6-month grace period, and during authorized periods of deferment.

2.5 Criteria for Payment:

2.5.1 Eligible employees may be considered for loan repayment assistance up to $10,000 per calendar year, with a $60,000 lifetime maximum for any individual. More than one loan may be repaid so long as the combined repayments do not exceed these limits. Assistance may be provided for both recruitment and retention purposes. Recommendations will normally be made by the immediate supervisor and submitted via the Office/Directorate chain to the Director, HRMD for approval.


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