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 115: March 2001

TG's Student Loan Default Rate Continues to Decline
According to preliminary information issued by the U.S. Department of Education for fiscal year (FY) 1999, the draft student loan default rate for Texas Guaranteed (TG) is 7.03 percent.

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

Poverty Guidelines Update
The Department of Health and Human Services has updated the United States federal poverty guidelines in the Federal Register dated February 16, 2001.

TG Technology Infrastructure Update
Texas Guaranteed (TG) recently shared with its Lender and School Advisory Committees a summary of the components of TG's technology infrastructure.

Shoptalk Survey Results Summarized
Last fall, Texas Guaranteed (TG) Communications conducted a Shoptalk reader survey. TG is pleased that respondents reported an overwhelmingly positive view of the newsletter.

The WebShop

Common Manual Updates
Information on revisions to the Common Manual

School Fact Sheet Time in Texas
Ah, springtime in Texas! For some, spring means straining one's eyes for that first glimpse of bluebonnets along the roadside. Others enjoy their first dip in a favorite swimming hole. But alert student aid professionals mark the transition in seasons by the arrival of the updated School Fact Sheets..

Go Electronic Campaign Going Strong
it's not too late to join the many paper Common Manual users who have decided to support additional grants for students by either giving up their paper Common Manual and using an electronic version or agreeing to print the annual update on site.

Second Winner Announced
Congratulations to Jo Himes of Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation in Waco.

Access Denied Report Released by ACSFA
In February 2001, the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance (ACSFA) released a report entitled Access Denied: Restoring the Nation's Commitment to Equal Educational Opportunity.

Report Provides Overview of Texas Student Financial Aid
Texas Guaranteed's (TG's) report entitled State of Student Financial Aid in Texas provides a wealth of information concerning aid in the Lone Star State.

Spring TUG Meeting Scheduled for April
It's time to make your plans to attend the spring 2001 Texas Guaranteed (TG) Users Group (TUG) Meeting.

Passport to Success
Hundreds of members of the student loan community are anxious to depart on the Texas Guaranteed (TG) 2001 Annual Conference excursion.

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:
Sheila Casey
Andrés Cordero
Ken Johnson
Valerie Gonzalez
Darron Grussendorf
Kelly Kaelin
Laura Lavergne
Heather Vaughan
Jeff Webster

Edited and designed by TG Communications.