The National Student Clearinghouse

The National Student Clearinghouse is a central repository of student enrollment information. It's purpose is to provide the required enrollment information to the servicers and guarantors of the Federal Student Loan Programs. It was designed primarily to service the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans, which include Stafford, Supplemental Loans for Students(SLS), PLUS, and Consolidation loans, both through traditional lenders and through the Federal Direct Lending Program. Schools also have the option to have other Federal Loan Program loans serviced through the Clearinghouse. The Ohio State University has declined this option for the Federal Perkins Student Loan Program, National Defense Student Loan Program, National Direct Student Loan Program (NDSL), and Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL); these are processed by Ohio State.

There are several advantages to allowing The Clearinghouse to provide the enrollment information for servicing the student loans. It allows students who transfer from one participating school to another to continue their in-school deferment status without inherent delays. In addition, the servicers can contact one central location to obtain information for all of the students whose loans they service. Deferments can be granted much more quickly because the data is shared with the servicers electronically. There is less chance of human error because the reporting process is standardized and enrollment updates occur frequently.

The Ohio State University provides enrollment information to The Clearinghouse four times each quarter. The purpose of these frequent certifications is to be able to reflect changes in enrollment status. The Clearinghouse loads the data onto their database, which usually takes about a week. Then they send electronic enrollment reports to the servicers who are members of the Clearinghouse and mail paper reports to non-members upon request.

The first file we send includes all students who have enrolled as of the fifth calendar day of the quarter. The second file we send is based on the 14th day data, which is after the add/drop period. The third file is sent during the month following the 14th day file. The final file is sent about a week after the quarter ends, and it certifies the enrollment status as of the end of the quarter and includes graduations.

We forward requests to the Clearinghouse daily, as we receive them. The Clearinghouse generally processes them within five business days. During peak processing periods, it may take a little longer. Students must give the forms to the school to forward. This is so the students do not have to try to decide where to direct their requests, and do not send forms to the wrong place. Some servicers do not require paper notifications any longer. Some will accept a telephone request for deferment from the student, and will contact the Clearinghouse directly to confirm the enrollment status without the delay of going through the school.

Students are welcome to call the Clearinghouse to find out when their forms were processed at (703) 742-7791.

The University Registrar's Home Page / The Ohio State University

Updated November 26, 2002