685.400—School participation requirements.
(a)
(1)
In order to qualify for initial participation in the Direct Loan Program, a school must meet the eligibility requirements in section 435(a) of the Act, including the requirement that it have a cohort default rate of less than 25 percent for at least one of the three most recent fiscal years for which data are available unless the school is exempt from this requirement under section 435(a)(2)(C) of the Act.
(2)
In order to continue to participate in the Direct Loan Program, a school must continue to meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section for years for which cohort default rate data represent the years prior to the school's participation in the Direct Loan Program.
(b)
In order to qualify for initial participation, the school must not be subject to an emergency action or a proposed or final limitation, suspension, or termination action under sections 428(b)(1)(T), 432(h), or 487(c) of the Act.
(c)
If schools apply as a consortium, each school in the consortium must meet the requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
(d)
The Secretary selects schools to participate in the Direct Loan Program from among those that apply to participate and meet the requirements in paragraphs (a)(1), (b), and (c) of this section.