Federal Updates

Poverty Guidelines Update
The Department of Health and Human Services has updated the United States federal poverty guidelines in the Federal Register dated February 14, 2002. The 2002 poverty guideline figure for a family of two is $11,940 for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. In Alaska, the figure is $14,930, and in Hawaii, the figure is $13,740.

TG Updates

Edufacts™—March 2002
Our March Edufacts illustrates that Texas students rely more heavily upon the federal government for student aid than do most students nationwide.

A Day in the Life…The Series Continues
Shoptalk Online continues its series this month by venturing into the next stage in the life of a loan. The series began with the Awareness Phase and showed how students and parents become aware of financial aid. Those who pursue loans to supplement their financial aid package now move on to the Origination Phase. At TG, Loan Guarantee Operations begins the loan process.

Trends and Issues

Return of Title IV Funds Q&A
A series of questions and answers to help you accurately return Title IV funds.

MYF Gets a New Look, Plans Relocation
If you haven't seen it yet, you might want to take this chance to visit the new and improved Mapping Your Future (www.mapping-your-future.org). The new design has been live since Monday, March 18. It features enhanced navigation, new graphics, and additional content.

Legislative Update

TG’s March 21 Legislative Report includes an article about a bill that would expand student loan forgiveness for certain teachers and another about confrontations relating to the 2003 federal budget. Read the articles online at www.tgslc.org/lege_report/
2002/lr_020321.cfm.

TG’s March 14 Legislative Report includes an article about the 2003 budget resolution and two additional articles relating to the budget, one offering information about the increase in the projected deficit and the other offering a summary of some “views and estimates” from some key committees. Read the articles at www.tgslc.org/lege_report/
2002/lr_020314.cfm.

Quick Links

• March 2002 Edufacts
• A new and improved MYF

A Day in the Life

• ...of TG's Loan Guarantee Operations
• ...of TG's Educational Alliances

This, That, and the Other...

ED's Student Financial Assistance (SFA) office has changed its name to "Federal Student Aid (FSA)," effective March 6, 2002. Deputy Secretary of Education William Hansen announced the name change during a speech at ED's Student Financial Assistance Spring 2002 Conference.

In his speech, Hansen said, "We are not the national financial aid office. . . most of the financial aid in this country does not come directly from the Federal government." The name change comes, he stated, from a narrowed focus to the office's core responsibilities. To access the full speech, go to www.ed.gov/Speeches/
03-2002/20020306.html.

ED has also made the change from SFA to FSA on its website. To see the revised site, visit www.ed.gov/offices/
OSFAP/Students/.

Take a look at Adventures In Education, TG's Public Awareness website.