Federal Updates

ED's FSA announces new general manager of financial partner services
ED's chief operating officer of federal student aid (FSA), Terri Shaw, recently announced that Matteo "Matt" Fontana has been named the general manager of financial partner services. Most recently, Fontana served as the deputy general manager of financial partner services. According to the announcement, Fontana has more than 15 years of experience in the federal student aid industry.

Closed school corner
The Department of Education announces six new closures.

TG Updates

TG launches POSITIVE+BALANCE™ financial literacy program at 2005 TG Conference
TG has unveiled its latest tool that schools can use to help their students successfully manage student loan repayment and learn responsible money management practices.

New TG resource offers review of research studies related to first-generation college students
Understanding the many financial, academic, and personal challenges that affect first-generation college students is a critical learning objective for financial aid professionals. Over the past several years, a variety of sources have conducted research on the topic, and each of these sources provides further insight into the factors and challenges faced by these students and their families. Often, however, the biggest challenge is gathering these research and information resources in one location that financial aid professionals can easily access.

TG announces new training curriculum to help borrowers manage student loan debt
The Council for the Management of Educational Finance (Council), TG, and its industry partners are developing a new training curriculum to assist postsecondary institutions, lenders and servicers in training their staffs to effectively help borrowers manage their student loan debt.

Shoptalk Online celebrates 300th edition
This week's edition of Shoptalk Online marks the 300th publication of TG's premier industry newsletter. Since the inaugural issue back in August 1990, Shoptalk Online has evolved to keep its customers up-to-date on all the changes that have occurred over the years throughout the student aid industry.

Legislative Update

The April 8, 2005 issue of TG's Legislative Report includes updates on the student aid provisions included in the 2006 House and Senate budget resolutions; the differences in approach and funding of the Texas House and Senate appropriation bills, and an update on TG's Sunset Advisory Commission Review. Keep up with the latest developments by reading the full report on TG Online at www.tgslc.org/lege_report/index.cfm.

This, That, and the Other...

At Congress' request, the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance will hold a one-day hearing on Monday, April 25, to examine how to best simplify student aid during the current HEA reauthorization. The hearing will include a review and discussion of the variety of simplification initiatives recently introduced in legislation, and other proposals under active consideration.

The hearing will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Washington Court Hotel on Capitol Hill. Registration is required. For more information, contact the Advisory Committee office at (202) 219-2099.