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 114: February 2001

Awareness Week Activities Benefit College-bound Students
On February 5, 2001, Texas Guaranteed (TG) held a joint press conference with Texas Secretary of State Henry Cuellar, Ph.D., and Representative Mike Wise in observance of Texas Financial Aid Awareness Week.

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

Rod Paige Becomes 7th U.S. Secretary of Education
On January 24, 2001, Dr. Roderick Paige was sworn in as the 7th U.S. Secretary of Education.

The WebShop

Common Manual Updates
Information on revisions to the Common Manual

Draft Cohort Default Rates Published
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) plans to mail all schools their fiscal year (FY) 1999 draft cohort default rates on February 9, 2001.

2000 TG Annual Report Published
exas Guaranteed (TG) has published its 2000 Annual Report.

Successful Go Electronic Campaign Continues
Texas Guaranteed's (TG's) Go Electronic: Make It One of Your New Year's Resolutions campaign is now in full swing.

First Winner Announced
Congratulations to Yolanda Ramirez of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

TG Delivers Winter Training
This winter, Texas Guaranteed's (TG's) Strategic Partnerships encouraged financial aid professionals to put down those snow shovels and attend TG's Winter Training at one of several sites around the country.

ED Releases RT4 Guidance
On December 2000, the Department of Education (ED) issued Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) GEN-00-24, the first in a series of guidance letters on the subject of Return of Title IV Funds (RT4).

New Ability-To-Benefit Test Approved
The Department of Education (ED) has updated the list of approved "ability-to-benefit" (ATB) tests to include the Combined English Language Skills Assessment (CELSA).

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:
Valerie Gonzalez
Darron Grussendorf
Ken Johnson
Kelly Kaelin
Laura Kowalski
Charles Kracy
Laura Lavergne
Emily Pierson
Alicia Terry
Heather Vaughan

Edited and designed by TG Communications.