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      <InitialContractException>0</InitialContractException>
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        <NamePerson>JAMES STIPCICH</NamePerson>
        <Title>TOP MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL</Title>
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        <NamePerson>JOLENE SELBY</NamePerson>
        <Title>TOP FINANCIAL OFFICIAL</Title>
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        <ReturnReference>PART I, LINE 1A</ReturnReference>
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      <Form990ScheduleJPartIII>
        <ReturnReference>PART I, LINE 5</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>THE ORGANIZATION PAYS MANAGEMENT FEES TO STUDENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION OF MONTANA (SAF), A RELATED ORGANIZATION. SAF DETERMINES COMPENSATION UTILIZING THE FOLLOWING: A COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT, WRITTEN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, COMPENSATION SURVEY AND APPROVAL BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF SAF. THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN INCLUDES AN INCENTIVE PLAN. ONE OF THE TARGETS OF THE INCENTIVE PLAN IS BASED ON THE LEVEL OF ANNUAL GROSS REVENUE EARNED BY STUDENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION (SAF).</Explanation>
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        <NameOfInterestedPerson>
          <NamePerson>JAMES STIPCICH</NamePerson>
        </NameOfInterestedPerson>
        <Relationship>TOP MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL</Relationship>
        <DescriptionOfTransaction>NOTED TOP MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL FOR MHESAC IS AN OFFICER OF STUDENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION</DescriptionOfTransaction>
        <SharingOfRevenues>0</SharingOfRevenues>
      </Form990ScheduleLPartIV>
      <Form990ScheduleLPartIV>
        <NameOfInterestedPerson>
          <NamePerson>LILA TAYLOR</NamePerson>
        </NameOfInterestedPerson>
        <Relationship>BOARD MEMBER</Relationship>
        <DescriptionOfTransaction>NOTED BOARD MEMBER IS ON BOTH STUDENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION AND MHESAC BOARDS.</DescriptionOfTransaction>
        <SharingOfRevenues>0</SharingOfRevenues>
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      <Form990ScheduleLPartIV>
        <NameOfInterestedPerson>
          <NamePerson>JOLENE SELBY</NamePerson>
        </NameOfInterestedPerson>
        <Relationship>TOP FINANCIAL OFFICIAL</Relationship>
        <DescriptionOfTransaction>NOTED TOP FINANCIAL OFFICIAL FOR MHESAC IS AN OFFICER OF STUDENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION</DescriptionOfTransaction>
        <SharingOfRevenues>0</SharingOfRevenues>
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    </IRS990ScheduleL>
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      <GeneralExplanation>
        <ReturnReference>FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>TWO MHESAC OFFICERS WORK FOR THE SAME ORGANIZATION.</Explanation>
      </GeneralExplanation>
      <GeneralExplanation>
        <ReturnReference>FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 3</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>STUDENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION IS A 509(A)(3)SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION ORGANIZED TO PROVIDE MONTANA HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENT ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (MHESAC), WITH ALL THE NECESSARY MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REQUIRED TO OPERATE MHESAC'S STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM, PERFORM ALL THE RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE INDENTURES, AND TO SERVICE ALL STUDENT LOANS OWNED BY MHESAC.</Explanation>
      </GeneralExplanation>
      <GeneralExplanation>
        <ReturnReference>FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>THE RETURN IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE FULL BOARD AND REVIEWED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE PRIOR TO FILING. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE PRESENTS THE RETURN TO THE FULL BOARD AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING.</Explanation>
      </GeneralExplanation>
      <GeneralExplanation>
        <ReturnReference>FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>BOARD MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST PRIOR TO PARTICIPATING IN THE DISCUSSION OF THE TOPIC. THE DISCLOSURE IS NOTED IN THE MINUTES. ALL VOTES HAVE TO BE CARRIED BY A MAJORITY OF DISINTERESTED PARTIES.</Explanation>
      </GeneralExplanation>
      <GeneralExplanation>
        <ReturnReference>FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT INCUR COMPENSATION OR PAYROLL RELATED EXPENSES. BOARD MEMBERS ARE PAID HONORARIUMS ONLY AND REIMBURSED FOR TRAVEL EXPENDITURES. THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION BY THE STUDENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION, MHESAC'S MANAGEMENT COMPANY, IS AS FOLLOWS: THE SAF BOARD APPOINTS A COMPENSATION COMMITTEE IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN EXTERNAL CONSULTANT TO REVIEW AND RECOMMEND COMPENSATION OF THE CEO FOR BOARD APPROVAL. MARKET CONDITIONS ARE LOOKED AT ANNUALLY VIA A MARKET SURVEY. THE SAF BOARD APPROVES ANY ANNUAL COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS.</Explanation>
      </GeneralExplanation>
      <GeneralExplanation>
        <ReturnReference>FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE COMPANY'S WEBSITE AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.</Explanation>
      </GeneralExplanation>
      <GeneralExplanation>
        <Identifier>OVERSIGHT OF AUDIT</Identifier>
        <ReturnReference>FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>THE PROCESS FOR THE OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AUDIT IS CONSISTENT WITH PRIOR YEARS.</Explanation>
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