The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently issued twenty-one Dear Guaranty Agency Director (DGAD) letters in response to the storm damage that occurred in Vermont, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia, South Dakota, West Virginia, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and North Dakota. Lenders and guaranty agencies should follow the guidelines established in the January 14, 1997 DGAD letter (see UHEAA Bulletin Volume 97-Issue 11).

If additional areas are designated by the President, ED will distribute a revised comprehensive list. Lenders and guaranty agencies may contact ED's toll-free number (800) 433-7327, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time for further updates.

Copies of the DGAD letters can be found on ED's web-site at http://ifap.ed.gov. If you are unable to access this web-site and would like copies of the DGAD letters, please contact Lynda Reid at (801) 321-7211. If you have questions regarding the DGAD letters, please contact the Policy and Training Department at (801) 321-7166.