Shoptalk is published by Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TG). Unless specifically noted, the policies and procedures outlined in Shoptalk apply only to loans made under TG's guarantee and not to loans underwritten by other guarantors.

Shoptalk 110: October 2000

Common Consolidation Loan Application and Promissory Note
After years of hard work and compromise between the Department of Education (ED) and the Federal Family Educational Loan Program (FFELP) community, ED announced the approval of the common Consolidation Loan Application and Promissory Note in October 2000.

Closed School Corner
The Department of Education (ED) reports school closures.

Changes to the Drug Question on the 2001-2002 FAFSA
On September 20, 2000, the National Council of Higher Education Loan Programs (NCHELP) posted a summary on its web site outlining the Department of Education's (ED's) decision to revise the Drug Question on the 2001-2002 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Backdating In-School Deferments
Here is some history on the in-school deferment process.

Common Manual Updates

MYF Offers Perkins Loan Entrance Counseling
Students can now complete their Perkins Loan Entrance Counseling session online on Mapping Your Future (MYF).

Correction to Shoptalk Edition 103
TG wishes to point out a correction to an article in Shoptalk Edition 103 (March 2000) entitled "Return of Title IV Funds."

TG Speakers Bureau Offers Expertise to the Student Loan Community
TG is pleased to announce the development of the Speakers Bureau, a program that provides TG operational and management experts to speak on a wide variety of topics at student financial aid conferences, meetings, and training sessions across the country.

2000-2001 Teacher Shortage Areas
The Department of Education (ED) recently approved teacher shortage areas for Texas for the 2000-2001 school year.

MYF Counselors Respond to Questions During October Chat
Students and parents asked questions about financial aid eligibility, scholarship applications, and other financial aid and college admissions questions during Mapping Your Future's (MYF's) first Chat Event of this academic year.

The WebShop

TG Hosts RT4 Teleconference
On Thursday, September 21, 2000, Texas Guaranteed (TG) hosted the Return of Title IV Funds (RT4) Teleconference.

Updated Topical Index on NCHELP Site
The National Council of Higher Education Loan Programs (NCHELP) recently posted an updated Topical Index to their web site.

Ordering ED 2001-2002 Application Materials
On September 2000, the Department of Education (ED) released Dear Partner Letter GEN-00-14 announcing the availability of the web-based Bulk Publication Ordering System (BPOS) for schools to use to order 2001-2002 application materials.

TG Schedules Holiday Closings

Money Matters
Special allowance rates for the quarter ending September 30, 2000.

Revisions of 2000-2001 Dependent Student EFC Worksheets
The Department of Education (ED) recently revised two of the worksheets used to calculate Expected Family Contributions (EFCs) to make them easier to use for schools with enrollment periods that are greater than or less than nine months.

Questions about the articles in Shoptalk should be addressed to:
Customer Services
Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation
P.O. Box 83100, Round Rock, TX 78683-3100
(800) 252-9743
(512) 219-5700
(512) 219-4560 speech and hearing impaired

Contributors to this month's edition:
Delton Cravey
Deborah Fahle
Valerie Gonzalez
Darron Grussendorf
Brent Hay
Kelly Kaelin
Laura Lavergne
Cathy Mueller
Heather Vaughan

Edited and designed by TG Communications.