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TG Updates

Shoptalk Online 137, January 15, 2002

TG Updates

"Take a Leading Role" at the TG 2002 Annual Conference

Plans are rapidly taking shape for the next TG Annual Conference. The 2002 Conference, scheduled for April 10-12 in Austin, Texas, will focus on "The Big Picture: Take a Leading Role."

Sponsorship
Join TG in supporting the efforts of the FFELP community by becoming a 2002 TG Conference sponsor. Find out more about sponsorship opportunities online at http://www.tgslc.org/Conference/sp_entryform.cfm.

Conference Registration
Now's the time to mark your calendar and prepare to be part of this fun and informative event. You can register online at http://www.tgslc.org/Conference/conf_entryform.cfm.

Reservations
To take advantage of the special rate from the conference hotel, the Austin Marriott at the Capitol, contact the hotel directly no later than March 20, 2002, at (800) 228-9290 (for toll-free reservations) or at the hotel's local number, (512) 478-1111.

Questions and More Information
For questions about the conference, contact Judy Cunningham at (800) 252-9743, ext. 2905, or send an e-mail message to judy.cunningham@tgslc.org.

Watch TG Online (www.tgslc.org) for additional details, including a detailed agenda and a list of speakers and sessions, as they become available.

TG to Recognize Aid Leaders

In keeping with the theme of the TG 2002 Annual Conference, "The Big Picture: Take a Leading Role," TG is planning some special awards to recognize those in the community who have demonstrated leadership in serving the education community through financial aid delivery. Three awards will be presented at the TG 2002 Annual Conference:

Best Director—The Financial Aid Director, Assistant Financial Aid Director, or financial aid professional who has exhibited leadership and had the biggest positive impact on the financial aid community, on his or her school and financial aid office, and especially on students.
Best Producer—The lender or servicer representative who has exhibited leadership and had the biggest positive impact on the financial aid community, on the schools, and especially on students.
Best Production—The most innovative project undertaken and accomplished by a financial aid professional or team of financial aid professionals to assist students in achieving their higher education goals. (Projects initiated by TASFAA may qualify as candidates for TASFAA's submission to the NASFAA competition in 2003.)

TG is asking you to help identify those who deserve recognition and assist them in submitting their "screen test." Screen test submissions should include, but are not limited to:

Self-video (digital format preferred, but VHS is acceptable) or a storyboard with script and pictures.
Interviews with financial aid community members on the individual's or project's accomplishments.
Emphasis on those affected by the individual nominee or project, e.g., those they have mentored, financial aid community members, and especially students.

Remember that special effects can make a screen test more impressive!

To be considered for an award, submissions must be received by TG by midnight, January 31, 2002. All nine finalists (three per category) and the three award recipients (one per category) will be recognized during the conference. A release form that gives TG permission to show the video at the conference must be included with each submission.

Release Forms and More Information
For more information and/or copies of the release form, contact Judy Cunningham at (800) 252-9743, ext. 2905, or send an e-mail message to judy.cunningham@tgslc.org.

TG Schedules Winter Regional Training Series

TG is gearing up this season to provide its second annual Winter Regional Training Series. Each session is a valuable day filled with important information impacting the financial aid community. These sessions will cover such topics as:

FFELP industry initiatives;
Debt management;
AdvanTG Web™, TG's Internet-based comprehensive student loan servicing solution; and
Stress management.

Session attendees will also participate in a special industry brainstorming forum about Disaster Guidance and Business Recovery. This forum will provide you and your peers an opportunity to generate ideas about these timely topics.

Training Is Frequent and Free
You'll find a schedule of training dates and cities along with information about the session locations (including phone numbers for making hotel reservations) online at http://www.tgslc.org/custfocus/wintertrain.cfm. All sessions will begin promptly at 9 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. All training is free of charge, and breakfast and lunch are provided.

Registration
To register for a Winter Regional Training session, send an e-mail message to tgnational@tgslc.org. For accommodations or directions to training locations, contact the applicable facility directly.

Questions and More Information
For questions or more information, contact Emily Yeager at (800) 252-9743, ext. 2857.

TG's First 2002 Telephone Conference to Discuss Timely Topics

TG's popular telephone conferences are returning for 2002 with the first event to be held February 4, 2002. The topics planned for discussion during this conference, which will run from 2 to 3 p.m. CST, include distance education, e-signatures, and the Meteor Project.

TG's Sam Wilson, Assistant Vice President and Manager of Customer Assistance, and Steven Smith, Assistant Vice President of Strategic Planning, will facilitate the telephone conference and training. Time will be available for questions, answers, and conversation with participants.

Participation
Like all TG telephone conferences, the February 4 event is free of charge and you may enroll as many participants from your institution as you like. If you have particular questions relating to the topics, submit them to Emily Yeager at emily.yeager@tgslc.org before the session.

Registering
To register and/or receive further details about the telephone conference, contact Premiere Conferencing at (800) 289-0579 or send an e-mail message to theresa.schlaak@premconf.com. When registering, please provide confirmation number 676774.

What's Next?
TG's next telephone conference is scheduled for May 2002. During the event, participants will explore current issues relating to the PLUS Master Promissory Note.

Chat, Hotline to Help Families and Students Process Financial Aid Application

Remember to encourage families and students to participate in the 2002 College Information Hotline and accompanying online chat. The two-day event is scheduled for the weekend of January 19-20, 2002, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Central Time). Read more about the event-sponsored by the Texas Association of College Admission Counseling (TACAC), TG’s Adventures In Education, and LoanSTAR Educational Loans at http://www.tgslc.org/shoptalk/2001/st134/st13403.cfm#tacac.