Federal Updates

ED releases DCL covering a variety of issues
On Thursday, ED released Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) GEN-05-16, entitled "Responses to recent, recurring Federal Student Aid questions." The DCL covers a large and varied number of issues that ED has determined require clarification and is written in a question-and-answer format.

TG Updates

TG introduces Financial Aid Leadership Symposium
To contribute to the career growth and leadership excellence of financial aid professionals, TG is offering a Financial Aid Leadership Symposium, a week-long professional development event specifically designed to enhance the leadership skills of managers in postsecondary school financial aid offices.

Meet Rey Trevino, default aversion counselor
Some students graduating from college with student loans may have difficulty figuring out how to balance their student loan obligation and other living expenses on a starting salary. For those borrowers, any help they can get is important, whether it be information or moral support. TG's default prevention team offers both — informing borrowers about their financial obligations and options, as well as offering a calm, attentive ear to listen whenever it's needed.

TG reaches milestone in Speakers Bureau training
Since its inception in 2001, the TG Speakers Bureau has helped tens of thousands of financial aid professionals nationwide improve their skills by sharing industry knowledge and offering professional development training.

TG Resources: Free booklet addresses student loan repayment options
TG 's New Directions — A guide to repaying your student loans brochure provides useful information to help recent graduates understand their available options for student loan repayment.

Question of the week
Per Department of Education guidance, if a student at our school receives all F's at the end of an academic term, we consider the student to be an unofficial withdrawal. In the fall semester, however, this can be difficult to assess, because we receive the reports of students with all F's when we come back from the winter break. By what date are we required to make the determination that the student is an unofficial withdrawal and complete the return of Title IV funds calculation?

This, That, and the Other...

Many recent college graduates intend to go on to graduate school or enter into their chosen career, but not immediately, according to a recent New York Times article. A growing number of college graduates are taking time away from school and the vigorous pursuit of a career. Some are looking for new experiences; others want to test potential careers or devote themselves to public service for a while; still others simply want to have a good time after the rigors of high school and college.

Career counselors say there have always been students who opt to take a few years off to pursue other interests, such as the Peace Corps. But taking time off now has become a more common occurrence, and is more socially acceptable. Career development professionals call the break the timeout or gap years, and the directors of career offices at a dozen major colleges and universities said more students are taking it than ever before. In response, the career offices have begun changing how they function. To read the article, visit www.nytimes.com/2005/10/
23/education/23careers.html?
ex=1130907600
&en=2cbbdd4664dc26b2&ei
=5070&pagewanted=all.