Federal Updates

Variable interest rates jump again for 2006-07
ED has announced the new variable interest rates that will take effect July 1, 2006, on Stafford and PLUS loans that are subject to the variable-rate provision.

TG Updates

Don't miss TG at NASFAA!
The NASFAA annual conference in Seattle is just around the corner from July 5-8. Each year, the NASFAA conference offers an opportunity for financial aid professionals to gain new ideas and insights to help their offices maximize their potential and reach their goals. This year will be no different and, as always, you can count on TG to be there offering informative and innovative training sessions to grab your attention and get you motivated.

Loss of customer data: A note to our business partners
Many of you have been in contact with us regarding the recent loss of customer data. Our first priority, which has consumed all available resources up to this point, has been to focus on the ongoing investigation, timely public notification, implementation of a fully staffed call center for borrower calls, and preparation of specific notification for those borrowers most directly affected by the lost data.

Question of the week
In applying the "150 percent rule" in its satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy, is a school supposed to count the hours that a student has attempted or the hours that a student has completed?

Legislative Update

The May 31 issue of TG's Legislative Report includes the text of A National Dialogue: The Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education. Keep up with the latest developments by reading the full report on TG Online

This, That, and the Other...

Federal statistics released Thursday show that in many ways, the gender gap among college students is widening. The story is largely one of progress for women and stagnation for men, reports the Associated Press.

Women earn the majority of bachelor's degrees in business, biological sciences, social sciences and history. The same is true for traditional strongholds such as education and psychology.

In undergraduate and graduate disciplines where women trail men, women are gaining ground, earning larger numbers of degrees in math, physical sciences and agriculture.

The findings were part of a 379-page report, "The Condition of Education," a yearly compilation of statistics compiled by ED's National Center of Education Statistics (NCES), that give a picture of academic trends.