Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2010
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
NORTHWEST EDUCATION LOAN ASSOCIATION
Employer identification number
91-1068278
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) a person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
a family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
a 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of support?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in IRC 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
7,243,205
785,000
400,057
506,132
591,072
9,525,466
2
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
3
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
4
Total. Add lines 1 through 3..
7,243,205
785,000
400,057
506,132
591,072
9,525,466
5
The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included
on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..
6
Public Support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
9,525,466
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
7,243,205
785,000
400,057
506,132
591,072
9,525,466
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
395,769
281,975
78,465
32,745
60,759
849,713
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10
Other income. (Explain in Part IV.) Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets..
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
10,375,179
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (See instructions.)
..................
12
99,642,815
13
First Five Years
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here..........................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public Support Percentage for 2010 (line 6 column (f) divided by line 11 column (f))
.........
14
91.810 %
15
Public Support Percentage for 2009 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
93.270 %
16a
33 1/3% support test—2010.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2009.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2010.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
..................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2009.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
..............................................
18
Private Foundation
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
...................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in IRC 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
8
Public Support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
13
Total support (Add lines 9, 10c, 11 and 12.).
14
First Five Years
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public Support Percentage for 2010 (line 8 column (f) divided by line 13 column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2009 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2010 (line 10c column (f) divided by line 13 column (f))
......
17
18
Investment income percentage from 2009 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2010.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3% and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
..........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2009.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
....
20
Private Foundation
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Supplemental Information. Complete this part to provide the explanation required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; or Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Additional Data
Software ID:
Software Version:
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2010
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
NORTHWEST EDUCATION LOAN ASSOCIATION
Employer identification number
91-1068278
Identifier
Return Reference
Explanation
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2
THE FOLLOWING ARE OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS OF NORTHWEST EDUCATION LOAN ASSOCIATION, INC. WHICH ARE ALSO OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS, OR EMPLOYEES OF UNITED STUDENT AID FUNDS, INC. AND OTHER RELATED ORGANIZATIONS. CARL DALSTROM DENISE FESER REV. WILLIAM BEAUCHAMP STEPHEN HAM JONI ANDERSON KAREN DEVILLA DAVID BOODT
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6
UNITED STUDENT AID FUNDS, INC. IS THE SOLE MEMBER OF NELA AND APPOINTS THE BOARD.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A
UNITED STUDENT AID FUNDS, INC. (USA FUNDS) IS THE PARENT CORPORATION AND SOLE MEMBER OF NELA. AS THE MEMBER, USA FUNDS HAS THE RIGHT TO (A) ELECT AND REMOVE THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF NELA, AND (B) FILL ANY VACANCY ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B
WHILE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF NELA IS GRANTED CERTAIN POWERS WITH RESPECT TO OPERATIONS, AS THE MEMBER, UNITED STUDENT AID FUNDS, INC. RETAINS APPROVAL RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN CORPORATE ACTIONS SUCH AS (I) ADOPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL PLANS, (II) EXPENDITURES FOR NON-BUDGETED ITEMS IN EXCESS OF CERTAIN DOLLAR LIMITS SET FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE MEMBER, (III) EXPENDITURES FOR ITEMS WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL BUDGETS BUT WHICH EXCEED THE BUDGETED AMOUNT BY AN AMOUNT IN EXCESS OF CERTAIN DOLLAR LIMITS SET FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE MEMBER, (IV) INCURRENCE, ASSUMPTION OR GUARANTEE OF ANY INDEBTEDNESS, AND (V) ANY MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, REORGANIZATION, DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11
ONCE THE FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY THE COMPANY, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE EXTERNAL TAX ACCOUNTING FIRM, THE FORM AND ALL APPLICABLE SCHEDULES ARE PROVIDED TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF UNITED STUDENT AID FUNDS, INC. FOR REVIEW. AFTER THE AUDIT COMMITTEE HAS COMPLETED THEIR REVIEW, THE FORM AND ALL APPLICABLE SCHEDULES ARE PROVIDED TO THE FULL NORTHWEST EDUCATION LOAN ASSOCIATION BOARD IN ADVANCE OF THE FORM BEING FILED WITH THE IRS, ALLOWING TIME FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT BY THE FULL BOARD.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C
ANNUALLY, A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND DISCLOSURE QUESTIONNAIRE IS REQUIRED TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL EMPLOYEES. THE PURPOSE OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE IS TO SOLICIT INFORMATION ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS THAT MAY CONSTITUTE A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SIGNS AN ANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT THAT DISCLOSES ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AS SET FORTH IN THE APPROVED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY FOR TRUSTEES. THE DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS ARE REVIEWED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF USA FUNDS. WHEN ANY SUCH CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS RELEVANT TO A MATTER REQUIRING ACTION BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OR THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, THE INTERESTED PERSON SHALL CALL IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CHAIR OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, AND SUCH PERSON SHALL NOT VOTE ON THE MATTER. MOREOVER, THE PERSON HAVING THE CONFLICT SHALL LEAVE THE ROOM IN WHICH THE MEETING IS HELD AND NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE FINAL DELIBERATIONS OR DECISION REGARDING THE MATTER UNDER CONSIDERATION. A BOARD MEMBER SHALL ADVISE THE CHAIR OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND THE CORPORATE SECRETARY IN WRITING OF ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WHICH ARISE AFTER SIGNING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT.
FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 15: NELA'S CEO AND OTHER OFFICERS ARE COMPENSATED BY UNITED STUDENT AID FUNDS, INC (USA FUNDS), A RELATED TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION. COMPENSATION DERTERMINATIONS OF NELA'S CEO AND OTHER OFFICERS ARE MADE BY A COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF USA FUNDS WHOSE MEMBERS HAVE NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITHIN THE MEANING OF TREAS. REG. 53.4958-6(C)(1)(III). THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ESTABLISHES THE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY, AND WITH COMPARABILITY DATA PROVIDED BY AN INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT, ANNUALLY EVALUATES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CEO AND ALL THE OTHER OFFICERS, AND DETERMINES IN ADVANCE THE REASONABLENESS OF COMPENSATION PAID TO AND BENEFITS PROVIDED TO SUCH INDIVIDUAL. AS PART OF THE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE SOLICITS THE VIEWS OF THE CHAIRS OF THE OTHER BOARD COMMITTEES. THE DETERMINATIONS MADE AND THE BASIS OF SUCH DETERMINATIONS ARE CONTEMPORANEOUSLY DOCUMENTED IN WRITTEN MINUTES. FINAL DETERMINATIONS ARE REPORTED TO THE FULL BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF USA FUNDS.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19
THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ANY DOCUMENT OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
FORM 990, PART VII
AVERAGE HOURS PER WEEK DEVOTED TO RELATED ORGANIZATIONS DURING THE YEAR: CARL DALSTROM - 41 HOURS DENISE FESER - 41 HOURS STEPHEN HAM - 41 HOURS JONI ANDERSON - 32 HOURS DAVID BOODT - 45 HOURS
CHANGES IN NET ASSETS OR FUND BALANCES:
FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 5:
NET UNREALIZED LOSSES ON INVESTMENTS: -23,425.
FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2A & 2B:
THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AUDITED BY AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM. THE USA FUNDS AUDIT COMMITTEE PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN FULFILLING ITS FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES, MAINTAINS FREE AND OPEN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE COMMITTEE, THE DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL AUDIT/COMPLIANCE, THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, AND MANAGEMENT, AND ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE INCLUDE: -ANNUALLY, APPROVE THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE EXTERNAL AUDITORS, INCLUDING RELATED SCOPE, FEES AND REPORTS. -REVIEW WITH MANAGEMENT AND THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RESULTS OF THE AUDIT, INCLUDING REQUIRED MATTERS TO BE COMMUNICATED TO THE COMMITTEE BY THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS UNDER GENERALLY ACCEPTED AUDITING STANDARDS. -DISCUSS WITH THE EXTERNAL AUDITORS THEIR INDEPENDENCE FROM MANAGEMENT AND THE ORGANIZATION AND THE MATTERS INCLUDED IN WRITTEN DISCLOSURE REQUIRED BY THE INDEPENDENCE STANDARDS BOARD. -OVERSEE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS RESULTING FROM EXTERNAL MANAGEMENT LETTER.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.