Federal Updates

To Neg Reg or not to Neg Reg, that is the question
In last week's edition of Shoptalk Online, TG reported the publication of a Federal Register on August 9 that announced interim final rules for the FFELP and other federal student aid programs. In that Federal Register, ED stated that it would be "unnecessary and impracticable" to conduct negotiated rulemaking (a.k.a. Neg Reg) on those regulations.

TG Updates

Updated integrated regulations available on TG Online
TG is pleased to announce the availability of an updated integrated regulations compilation for our customers. The updated compilation incorporates changes from the interim final rules that were released on July 3, 2006 and August 9, 2006.

Using AIE™: Internet resources for higher education
The Internet Resources section of TG's recently redesigned public service website, Adventures In Education (AIE) is provided to point students, parents, and educators toward relevant and free college-planning and career-related resources.

Trends and Issues

Reminder: TG offers free telephone conferences on the interim final rules
Don't forget to participate in one of TG's free teleconferences coming up over the next several business days. Titled "A look at the new interim final rules," the teleconference is designed to provide TG's school and lender partners with a summary of the interim final rules, released on August 9, 2006.

Tips to prepare for the 2006-07 conference season (Part 1 in a series)
It's that time of year again when school financial aid offices gear up for the fall conference season. Whether you are attending a local conference or your state or regional association conference, you may be wondering what you can do to prepare for and gain the most value from a conference. With budgets only allowing for one or two people from your office to attend, you may want to know how to collect information to bring back to the office so that your entire staff benefits from your attendance.

Question of the week
Is a Grad PLUS loan borrower subject to entrance counseling?

This, That, and the Other...

The cost of higher education looks like it's climbing again, according to an August 17 article on CNNMoney.com.

While the final trend figures for the fast-approaching 2006-07 academic year are still being compiled, students can expect about a 5 percent increase in both tuition and fees, says Carl Buck, vice president for college funding for the college information firm Peterson's.

Last academic year, the median annual tuition for a four-year private college crept up 5.7 percent to $16,950, according to an annual college cost survey by Peterson's. And that doesn't include room and board and other fees that can easily push the cost of a private college education above $22,000 a year.

Even students attending a public university in their home state paid 6.3 percent more for tuition in 2005-06, or $4,224 per year.

A preliminary survey of 10 schools varying in geography and size conducted by CNNMoney.com reveals that the cost of everything from tuition to books to room and board is on the rise for the upcoming academic year.

The read the article in its entirety, visit http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/17/pf/college/college_costs/index.htm.