Skip to Content

Experimental Sites Initiative

Screening & Approval Process

Proceed to Dear Colleague Letters & Electronic Announcements. Go to Q and As
Screening Process
  • The Department reviews an institution’s application, compliance history and current status.
  • Institutions selected to participate must have a strong track record in the administration of the Title IV Student Aid Programs.
  • Some experiments may also include an additional questionnaire that requires completion and submission. FSA will send any additional questionnaires to institutions after the inital screening process is completed.

Program Participation Agreement (PPA) Amendment

  • FSA sends the institution a PPA Amendment that includes the specific experiments in which the institution will participate. It provides exemptions, reporting requirements and instructions for terminating participation in an experiment.
  • If an institution declines to participate in a particular experiment, the institution must send an email to: ExperimentalSites@ed.gov. The email should include the experiments(s) in which the institution does not want to participate.
  • An institution must return two signed copies of the PPA Amendment.
  • FSA will return one countersigned copy to the institution for their records. 
  • A signed copy of the PPA Amendment must be kept on file.