TG Updates

TG Conference session to explore impact of exceptional performer designations
ED recently granted its first exceptional performer designation to a FFELP lender. What does this mean for you and your organization? Come find out at the 2004 TG Conference, "Kaleidoscope of Dreams."

Federal Updates

ED issues Q&A in exceptional performer designation DCL
In response to the growing interest in the exceptional performer designation, ED released Dear Colleague Letter FP-04-04
on March 16, 2004. This DCL contains a Q&A on the issues that surround obtaining and implementing an approved designation.

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

Trends and Issues

College graduates now outnumber high school dropouts among unemployed
For the first time, the number of unemployed people with a college degree has surpassed the number of unemployed high school dropouts, according to U.S. labor statistics from the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank.

This, That, and the Other...

Borrowers wanting to delay student loan payments due to economic hardship or other reasons will benefit from an upcoming chat on mapping-your-future.org, a public service website sponsored by TG and other FFELP participants. The live chat is scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. CST on Tuesday, April 6.

Experts in career counseling and financial aid will be on hand to offer practical information and answer borrower questions. Topics will include deferment and forbearance types, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.

Anyone with Internet access can join by visiting mapping-your-future.org on the afternoon of the chat and selecting the chat session. Simple instructions will explain how to join the event. Students and parents can pre-register and choose to have a reminder sent to them a few days before the event.