This workbook is intended to assist schools that participate in the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program gain the necessary skills to reconcile their loan records with U.S. Department of Education data each month. After an introduction that offers general information, establishes course goals and objectives, and sets out the course agenda, the first work section presents an overview of the reconciliation process, provides a definition of reconciliation, examines scheduling and monitoring of the data flow, explains the 30-day reporting requirement, and identifies the three key players. Section 2 which covers managing cash components, also provides a chart of cash-management related direct loan bulletins, and discusses the direct loan cash equation. Section 3 is on performing monthly reconciliations; it includes lessons on documenting monthly reconciliation efforts, the direct loan school account statement, other reconciliation reports, and resolving the monthly ending cash balance. Section 4 covers program year closeouts, explains the difference between the monthly reconciliation process and the program year closeout, and explains how to use various reports and compare programs. All three work sessions end with a simulation exercise. Appended are materials for the simulation exercises; information on direct loan bulletins and charts; and various reports and logs. (SM)