March 12, 2007

TG To Host Teleconference on Financial Barriers Study

Round Rock, TX — A Texas A&M University study, sponsored through a TG grant, shows that high school students need more information about applying to and paying for college to overcome financial barriers that keep many of them from college enrollment.

TG is sponsoring a teleconference on March 21 for student financial aid professionals to present the specifics findings of the study. The teleconference, which is free, will be held from 1:30-3 p.m. (CDT). Participants may dial in at (888) 428-4473.

The study, which was conducted by the Department of Financial Aid at Texas A&M through a grant from TG's Public Benefit Grant Program, determined that what students know about financial aid and how early they know it are strong predictors for college enrollment.

Students who lack information about going to college are at an immediate disadvantage. The research also found that financial barriers include the perception that college is not affordable or that funding is not available.

The researchers gathered data from 1,800 adults in Texas, ages 25 and older, and specifically studied the academic, attitudinal, financial, social, and familial barriers that kept many of them from enrolling in college.

"This study shows the need for colleges to offer educational outreach to ensure that more high school students have a better understanding of how to apply to and pay for college so they can make more informed decisions about enrolling in college," said Christopher Teran, management analyst in Texas A&M's Department of Student Financial Aid.

Jacob Fraire, TG's assistant vice president of educational alliances, said the study's results also provide a blueprint for schools and local communities to tailor specific educational awareness campaigns.

"The sample used in this study is representative of Texas, which is largely diverse and reflects rural and urban communities. We believe that most states and regions should be able to relate the study to their own state population," Fraire said.

A brief question-and-answer session will follow the telephone conference. Pre-registration is not required. For more information about the event, visit www.tgslc.org/training/teleconference/index.cfm, or call (800) 252-9743, ext. 4576.

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About TG: TG is a public, nonprofit corporation that helps create access to higher education for millions of families and students through its role as an administrator of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). Its vision is to be the premier source of information, financing, and assistance to help all families and students realize their educational and career dreams. Additional information about TG can be found online at www.tgslc.org. This press release can be downloaded from www.tgslc.org/newsroom/.

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Contact:
Ray Perez
TG
(512) 219-4990
(800) 252-9743, ext. 4990
ray.perez@tgslc.org