Financial aid professionals can sharpen their knowledge about cohort default rates and default prevention and management by participating in a course offered by Federal Student Aid.
Federal Student Aid (FSA) recently announced the release of an online, self-paced learning track on cohort default rates (CDRs) and default prevention and management. It is designed to help participants understand how CDRs work, why they matter, and how institutions can use data, borrower outreach, and operational practices to support repayment success and manage default risk.
The learning track consists of two courses that are designed to be taken together with the first course providing foundational CDR knowledge, and the second focusing on default prevention and management strategies.
- Understanding Cohort Default Rates and Institutional Impact introduces CDRs, how they are calculated, and their impact on borrowers and institutions. Learners also explore the role of data review, challenges, adjustments, and appeals in CDR management.
- Operational Strategies for Default Prevention and Management covers practical strategies for preventing and managing default risk using a campus-wide framework. Strategies include data-driven outreach, timely enrollment reporting, and targeted borrower support.
The courses will help schools apply default prevention strategies in their day-to-day operations and emphasize shared responsibility, data-informed decision making, and continuous improvement.
The courses are part of FSA’s efforts to support institutions of higher education that have high non-repayment rates in preparation for the upcoming release of official cohort default rates in 2026 and draft rates in early 2027.
The courses can be accessed by logging in to the FSA Training Center, selecting “Learning Tracks,” selecting “School Eligibility,” and choosing the “Cohort Default Rates and Default Management” track.
Questions about the courses or other training needs should be directed to helpdesk.fsatraining@ed.gov.
