Federal Updates

Special allowance rates: quarter ending September 30, 2003
Special allowance rates for the quarter ending June 30, 2003, are now available.

Reauthorization watch
Last week, TG updated its Higher Education Act reauthorization page on TG Online with information and links on three recent developments.

TG Updates

TG to relocate corporate headquarters this weekend, announces special hours
TG wishes to remind its business partners that TG offices will close at 2 p.m. CST on Friday, October 10, for relocation to a new building. TG will also be closed on Columbus Day, Monday, October 13. During this time, all TG operations and call centers will be unavailable by phone, fax, and .

TG to discontinue hard copy Application Reject Pending and Denial Reports for Schools
Based on feedback we have received from our business partners, effective October 31, TG's loan guarantee operations (LGO) plans to eliminate the mailing of hard copy Application Reject Pending and Denial Reports to assist schools in moving toward a more "paperless" environment.

Trends and Issues

MYF plans online training sessions for financial aid professionals
Mapping Your Future (MYF) has scheduled two training sessions this fall to provide schools with information about MYF's Online Student Loan Counseling (OSLC). The training sessions will include an online presentation (audio via conference call) and an online chat event following the presentation.

Common Manual

Common Manual Updates
Information on recent updates to the Common Manual.

This, That, and the Other...

TG team members are looking forward to enjoying another fun and informative TASFAA Fall Conference with our Texas colleagues and friends this week. Conference attendees will have their usual choice of sessions addressing a full range of interests. TG team members will be involved in sessions on several timely topics: privacy laws, reauthorization, school-as-lender programs, early awareness, financial aid research tools, interpersonal communication and relationships, and more. Details on these sessions are available in Shoptalk Online Edition 222.

If you aren't in Wichita Falls this week, remember that the TG Speakers Bureau can bring the training to you. To learn more, visit TG Online at www.tgslc.org/speakers/
index.cfm, or speak with your TG school consultant.