Student Assistance General Provisions, Federal Family Education Loan Program, and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

The Secretary amends the regulations governing the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program to create a new income- contingent repayment plan in accordance with the President's initiative to allow more Direct Loan borrowers to cap their loan payments at 10 percent of their monthly incomes. The Secretary is also implementing changes to the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and Direct Loan Program regulations to streamline and enhance existing processes and provide additional support to struggling borrowers. These regulations will also amend the Student Assistance General Provisions regulations by expanding the circumstances under which an institution may challenge or appeal a draft or final cohort default rate based on the institution's participation rate index.