Definition of Terms
Acceleration. The process where the entire principal balance, plus interest and other costs, is due and payable immediately as a result of non-payment of the debt. This process generally occurs prior to a loan being placed with an external collection agency.
Children and youth with disabilities. Children and youth from ages three through twenty-one, inclusive, who require special education and related services because they have disabilities as defined in section 602(3) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (the Act).
The Act defines a “child with a disability” as one (1) with mental retardation, hearing impairments (including deafness), speech or language impairments, visual impairments (including blindness), serious emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, or specific learning disabilities; and (2) who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services.
For a child age three through nine, the term a “child with a disability” may include, at the discretion of a state and the local education agency, individuals (1) experiencing developmental delays, as defined by the state and as measured by appropriate instruments and procedures, in one or more of the following areas: physical development, cognitive development, communication development, social or emotional development, or adaptive development; and (2) who, by reason thereof, require special education and related services.
Consolidation. A loan program which allows the borrower to combine a number of federal outstanding loans into one single but larger loan with a single interest rate and payment schedule.
Default. The failure to repay a loan in accordance with the terms of the promissory note. Defaulting on your student loan can adversely affect your credit report. Consult your promissory note for additional information.
Early intervention services. Those services defined in section 632(4) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that are provided to infants and toddlers with disabilities.
Grace Period. A period (6 or 9 months) that begins immediately after the borrower ceases to be enrolled as at least a half-time student, or after certain deferment provisions. During a grace period the borrower is not required to make payments.
High-risk children. Individuals under the age of 21 who are low-income or at risk of abuse or neglect, have been abused or neglected, have serious emotional, mental, or behavioral disturbances, reside in placements outside their homes, or are involved in the juvenile justice system.
Infants and toddlers with disabilities. Infants and toddlers under age three, inclusive, who need early intervention services for specified reasons, as defined in section 632(5)(A) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
The Act defines an infant or toddler with a disability as an individual under three years of age who needs early intervention services because the individual (1) is experiencing developmental delays, as measured by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures in one or more of the areas of cognitive development, physical development, communication development, social or emotional development, and adaptive development; or (2) has a diagnosed physical or mental condition which has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.
The term infants and toddlers with disabilities may also include, at a state’s discretion, individuals under age three, who are at risk of having substantial developmental delays if early intervention services are not provided.
Late/Penalty Charge. The fee that is assessed to a borrower’s account if payments are not made on time, or a deferment/cancellation form is not submitted in a timely manner.
Low-income communities. Communities in which there is a high concentration of children eligible to be counted under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended.
Medical Technician. An allied health professional (working in fields such as therapy, dental hygiene, medical technology, or nutrition) who is certified, registered, or licensed by the appropriate state agency in the state in which he or she provides health care services; an allied health professional is someone who assists, facilitates, or complements the work of physicians and other specialists in the health care system. You can find a list of accredited allied health professions at http://www.ama-assn.org.
Nurse. A licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, or other individual who is licensed by the appropriate state agency to provide nursing services.
Qualified professional provider of early intervention services. A provider of services, as defined in section 632 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Section 632 of that Act defines early intervention services as developmental services that:
- are provided under public supervision;
- are provided at no cost except where federal or state law provides for a system of payments by families, including a schedule of sliding fees;
- are designed to meet the developmental needs of an infant or toddler with a disability in one or more of the following areas: physical development, cognitive development, communication development, social or emotional development, or adaptive development;
- meet the standards of the state in which they are provided;
- are provided by qualified personnel, including: special educators; speech and language pathologists and audiologists; occupational therapists; physical therapists; psychologists; social workers; nurses; nutritionists; family therapists; orientation and mobility specialists; and pediatricians and other physicians;
- to the maximum extent appropriate, are provided in natural environments, including the home, and community settings in which children without disabilities participate;
- are provided in conformity with an individualized family service plan adopted in accordance with section 636 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, early intervention services include: family training, counseling, and home visits; special instruction; speech-language pathology and audiology services; occupational therapy; physical therapy; psychological services; service coordination services; medical services only for diagnostic or evaluation purposes; early identification, screening, and assessment services; health services necessary to enable the infant or toddler to benefit from the other early intervention services; social work services; vision services; assistive technology devices and services; and transportation and related costs necessary to enable infants, toddlers, and their families to receive other services identified in 632(4).