The history of COHEAO (Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations) stretches back to 1981. We are a partnership of over 300 educational and commercial members and promote access to post secondary education. Our focus is on legislative and regulatory advocacy for Federal Perkins and other campus-based student loan programs.

COHEAO, the Organization

COHEAO hosts two major conferences each year. The Annual Conference is held in Washington DC in January, while the Mid-Year Conference changes sites around the country. Members of Congress, and representatives from the Department of Education and Health and Human Services participate in these conferences.

COHEAO also sponsors workshops throughout the country on a wide range of topics. These workshops are open to the education community and specialists and experts are often invited to participate. Past workshops have covered institutional refund policies, the administration of financial aid programs, and analysis of important legislative developments. Additional focus groups, task forces and conferences have addressed concerns related to the Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Student Loan and other various loan and grant programs.

In addition to the above interests, COHEAO is currently involved with several specific issues. For example:

• COHEAO strongly supports the position that the Perkins Loan program is one of the most cost—effective means of providing access to post—secondary education for low income students. The program, when properly administered, is a most appropriate and effective use of government funds, especially since it can be self—sustaining.
  
  
• COHEAO opposes institutions' discretionary distribution of block grant funds. Block grants could result in a reduction of support for programs which require payback or work participation. Block grants favor non-participation and require no repayment. COHEAO has taken the position that this approach results in giveaway programs which do not foster sound educational financing for the students, the institutions, or the government. Opening new avenues of access to post-secondary education must include full participation of the prospective students who are assisted by the aid programs.
  
  
• COHEAO believes that some government regulations and policies have contributed to high loan delinquency rates, instead of addressing the root problems. For example, the Department of Education has proposed curtailment of funds to schools having a delinquency rate exceeding a specific percentage. With regard to improving collections, emphasis must instead be placed on the collection of outstanding delinquent loans and on the prevention or recurrence of defaults. The government's imposition of flat percentages, resulting in reduction of available funds for schools, does not address the problem and provides no incentives or opportunities for change.
  

By focusing on issues like these, COHEAO offers its members an opportunity to share with and learn from individuals and institutions who represent the full spectrum of post—secondary education finance. As events are prone to change quickly in Washington and throughout higher education, COHEAO is always prepared to get involved with critical issues while educating and informing its membership.

Communications

From the beginning, COHEAO has been committed to keeping its members informed and up-to-date on important education issues. Prominent in the work shed of organization communication tools has been the highly regarded monthly newsletter, The Torch. Through this and other communications to and from membership, COHEAO has captured the attention of government officials and the media. The Torch has become required reading for many in the education community who seek input from "those in the trenches."

The organization has taken great pains over the years to insure that members are kept fully abreast of the most current information, particularly on critical issues. In the early part of this decade, Timely Fax Alerts were implemented for the most critical, breaking education news events. The COHEAO website is currently being developed to further provide members with a place to get up-to-the-minute information affecting their institutions and firms.

Finally, COHEAO members have never been shy to appear on the air waves and in print to convey the organization's view. In addition to numerous interviews of members on radio and television, several COHEAO events have been televised on C-Span. The organization's positions on financial aid matters have also been featured regularly in national and local publications around the country.

Membership

Membership in COHEAO has not been limited to schools and commercial loan collectors. The organization is now open to other organizations interested in and involved directly with post-secondary finance issues. These include secondary market firms and loan guarantors. Each member organization may enroll one primary member and as many associate members as it desires. Primary members vote, make dues payments and select associate members. Only primary members may serve on the Board of Directors, but all members have the opportunity to participate on other various committees. Scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate students who attend COHEAO member institutions.

Organizational Structure

The Board of Directors was designed to be responsible for all administrative functions of COHEAO. The Board includes the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Commercial Chairperson, Membership Chairperson, Budget and Operations Chairperson, Legislative Chairperson, and three Members-at-Large. Board members have numerous duties including assessing and collecting all dues, appointing all other committee and task force members, paying all COHEAO expenses, monitoring the budget, reviewing and approving all legislative, initiative and position papers, and communicating with the membership on all matters of concern to the organization.

COHEAO has always operated on a very lean budget, certainly in comparison with other trade associations in Washington. This reflects the fact that the organization's work focuses on its membership, not on those who staff the committees. COHEAO dues are used primarily to support specific activities that advance the goals of its members. Moreover, COHEAO has always relied heavily on the active participation of its elected officers to carry out its mission.

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