15-62.1 Guarantee Loan Program
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administer state guarantee loan programs, as provided in this chapter. The advisory board of
directors to the Bank of North Dakota shall act in an advisory capacity concerning the programs.
The agency, upon recommendation of the advisory board and subject to approval of the industrial
commission, shall expend moneys received and from the interest earned on the principal balance
in the reserve funds established pursuant to this chapter as may be necessary to implement and
administer the programs. The term "student" includes a parent borrower under this chapter and
the term "coinsurance" includes reinsurance.15-62.1-02. Powers and duties of the agency. The agency has the following powersand duties under this chapter:1.To guarantee all loans which satisfy the requirements set forth in title IV, part B, of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.; Pub. L. 89-329; 79 Stat.
1236; Pub. L. 99-498; 100 Stat. 1353; Pub. L. 105-244; 112 Stat. 1581], as amended
through December 31, 1998, upon terms, conditions, and application procedures
commensurate with the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 1001
et seq.;Pub. L.89-329;79 Stat.1236;Pub. L. 99-498; 100 Stat.1353;Pub. L. 105-244; 112 Stat. 1581], as amended through December 31, 1998, if
federal coinsurance of student loans guaranteed by the agency is available. If at any
time the agency determines that student loans made under the terms and conditions
of federal coinsurance programs are no longer adequately serving the needs of
North Dakota students attending postsecondary institutions, or if federal coinsurance
is no longer available, the agency shall notify the industrial commission or its
designee. Upon approval of the industrial commission or its designee, the agency
shall guarantee student loans without federal coinsurance pursuant to rules made by
the agency relating to terms for applicant eligibility in accordance with the provisions
of this chapter.Students whose loans are guaranteed by the agency must bestudents who have been accepted for enrollment or are attending eligible
postsecondary institutions located within or outside this state, and whose loans are
for the purpose of assisting them in meeting their expenses of postsecondary
education.Students who are accepted for enrollment or are attending eligibleproprietary or postsecondary institutions of higher education are eligible to have
loans guaranteed by the agency. The agency shall, by rule, establish minimum
qualifications for a person to be deemed a part-time student for purposes of this
chapter.2.To take, hold, expend, and administer, on behalf of the state from any source any
real property, personal property and moneys, or any interest therein, and the income
therefrom, either absolutely or in trust, for any purpose of the guarantee loan
program; provided, that no guarantee obligation of the agency may be a general
obligation of the state of North Dakota, nor may be payable out of any moneys
except those made available to the agency under this chapter.Nothing in thischapter may be construed to authorize the agency to borrow funds for any use
relating to the administration of the state guarantee loan programs.15-62.1-03. Rates of interest permissible for guaranteed loans. All loans guaranteedby the agency and coinsured by the federal government must bear interest at rates which are no
greater than those provided under the federally coinsured loan programs. In the event that the
agency guarantees student loans without federal coinsurance pursuant to section 15-62.1-02, the
interest rate on such loans may be fixed or variable. Any prohibition on the capitalization of
interest does not apply to loans guaranteed under this chapter. A loan guaranteed under thisPage No. 1chapter may provide for interest which remains unpaid at the end of any period specified in the
loan to be added to the principal amount of the debt and thereafter accumulate interest.15-62.1-04. Repayment of loans. The agency shall establish rules for the repayment,or deferment of repayment, of loans guaranteed under this chapter consistent with the Higher
Education Act of 1965, as amended, and shall also establish rules for the repayment, or
deferment of repayment, of loans guaranteed by the agency which are not coinsured by the
federal government.15-62.1-05.Establishment and maintenance of adequate guarantee funds -Appropriation. The agency may enter into an agreement with the federal government for the
coinsurance of loans guaranteed under this program. The agency shall establish and at all times
maintain from funds appropriated under this chapter adequate guarantee reserve funds in special
accounts in the Bank of North Dakota unless required by title IV, part B, of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 [Pub. L. 89-329; 79 Stat. 1236; Pub. L. 99-498; 100 Stat. 1353; Pub. L. 105-244;
112 Stat. 1581; 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.], as amended through December 31, 1998, to be invested
elsewhere. The fund for loans that are coinsured by the federal government must be maintained
at a minimum amount equal to the requirements set forth in title IV, part B, of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 [Pub. L. 89-329; 79 Stat. 1236; Pub. L. 99-498; 100 Stat. 1353; Pub. L.
105-244; 112 Stat. 1581; 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.], as amended through December 31, 1998. The
fund for loans that are not coinsured by the federal government will be determined by the agency
but may be no less than the Bank of North Dakota historical default rate. Funds appropriated
under this chapter and designated as guarantee agency reserve funds for loans that are not
coinsured by the federal government must be administered separately and segregated from
reserve funds for loans that are coinsured by the federal government. The securities in which the
moneys in the reserve funds may be invested must meet the same requirements as those
authorized for investment under the state investment board. The income from such investments
must be made available for the costs of administering the respective guarantee loan programs
and income in excess of that required to pay the cost of administering the programs must be
deposited in the respective reserve fund that corresponds to the source of the initial invested
funds. The proceeds of reserve funds received from federal, state, or private sources, for the
purpose of guaranteeing loans made to students as provided in this chapter, are appropriated as
a continuing appropriation for the payment of defaulted loans guaranteed by each respective
fund.15-62.1-06. Procedure on default of guaranteed loan. Whenever it appears to thesatisfaction of the agency that a guaranteed loan made in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter is in default, and the eligible lender has certified such fact to the agency, the agency shall
reimburse the eligible lender making the loan from the reserve fund to the extent the loan was
guaranteed by the fund. Whenever payment of the guaranteed principal balance of any insured
or guaranteed loan is demanded of the agency, the note and accompanying evidence of the loan
must be tendered to the agency in manner and form to confer good title so that the loan may be
collected by the agency as it may determine according to law. Neither minority nor any statute of
limitations may be used as a defense against collection of any loan through court proceedings.15-62.1-07. Fees for insurance and other reasonable costs. The agency is herebyauthorized to charge reasonable fees for guarantee and insurance to students obtaining loans
under this chapter, and such fees must be available to defray costs of administering the
guarantee loan program. Fees in excess of the amount required to pay the cost of administering
the program must be deposited in the reserve fund.15-62.1-08.Contract with united student aid funds, incorporated, or similarnonprofit corporation.The agency is authorized to appoint the united student aid funds,incorporated, or similar nonprofit corporation, as agent of the state, to assist in performing the
administrative functions of the state under and subject to the terms and provisions of this chapter
and to perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the agency for the proper
administration of the guarantee loan program. The agency shall pay fees to the united student
aid funds, incorporated, or similar nonprofit corporation, as it may determine necessary for the
administration of such program. In the event that the agency has entered into an agreement withPage No. 2united student aid funds, incorporated, or a similar nonprofit corporation and at a later date
determines that it can administer the program more economically and efficiently than can such
nonprofit corporation, it shall upon proper notice terminate the agreement with such nonprofit
corporation.15-62.1-09. Information system. The eligible postsecondary educational institutions inthe state shall furnish to the agency and other lending institutions such information as may be
necessary to properly administer the guarantee loan program and the agency shall furnish
information in regard to student loan transactions on a regular basis to such postsecondary
educational institutions.15-62.1-10. Eligibility for participation in federal student loan program. The agencyis directed to comply with such requirements as may be necessary to enter into an agreement
with the government of the United States for the purpose of procuring funds and assistance for
the administration, development, and operation of a guarantee loan program. No provision of
this chapter may be construed or have the effect of preventing the agency from complying with
the guarantee loan program requirements of title IV, part B, of the Higher Education Act of 1965,
or similar acts of the Congress of the United States or with any amendments thereto relating to
the guarantee loan program. In the event that the agency guarantees student loans without
federal coinsurance, the agency shall, by rule, establish terms, conditions, and standards
governing the operation and administration of the guarantee student loan program. In no case,
however, may the agency rules serve to further restrict eligibility requirements or loan limits from
those which were applicable as of the date the industrial commission approves the guarantee of
loans without federal coinsurance or the date of the termination of federal programs providing
coinsurance of student loans.15-62.1-11. Coordination with federal programs relating to student loans. Repealedby S.L. 1979, ch. 267,