The Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act (JCLSA), amended the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) to allow joint consolidation co-borrowers to apply to separate an existing joint Direct Consolidation Loan or Federal Consolidation Loan into individual Direct Consolidation Loans. The HEA, as amended by the JCLSA, requires joint consolidation loan borrowers to apply to the U.S. Department of Education if they wish to separate an existing joint consolidation loan into one or more individual Direct Consolidation Loans.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed into law on July 4, 2025, made statutory changes to Sections 455(d), 455(e), 455(g), and 455(q) that impact the terms and conditions and borrowersâ rights and responsibilities for Direct Loans (including consolidation loans) received on or after July 1, 2026. This is a request for a revision of this collection to align with the requirements of the OBBBA.
US Code:
20 USC 1087(e)(g)
Name of Law: Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended
US Code: 20 USC 1087(e)(g) Name of Law: Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended
The Department estimates 19,773 responses and 6,466 annual burden hours. This is 54,227 and 17,584 responses and burden hours, respectively. The decrease is due to the Department using the most recent administrative data available on joint consolidation. This is a request for a revision to this collection to align with the requirements of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
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No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Carolyn Rose 202 803-1502
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Application (Private)