TG Updates

TG marks HBCU week with successful partnership
The White House Initiative on HBCUs designated September 10 - 16 as National Historical Black College and University (HBCU) Week, a time to honor the contributions HBCUs make to the cause of higher education.

With TG borrower, Mapping Your Future™ notches 6 millionth counseling session
In late August, Mapping Your Future™ (MYF) announced a milestone in its 10-year history as a provider of college and career services to students and schools. A student from Temple College in Temple, Texas completed loan counseling through MYF's Online Student Loan Counseling (OSLC) module, which brought the number of completed counseling sessions to a high of 6 million.

Reporting Back: 1996
TG's annual report for 1996, titled Working Today for Tomorrow, focuses on innovations in technology and customer service.

Tech Report

For school customers: HERA/Grad PLUS changes roll out in TG Loans By Web™
The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) enacted changes to the federal student loan program, including expanding the PLUS loan program so that graduate students can take out PLUS loans. TG is implementing these changes in its online application software, Loans By Web, effective September 16, 2006. TG has already put into effect HERA changes in its loan management tool, AdvanTG Web™, effective June 26, 2006.

For lender customers: HERA/Grad PLUS changes implemented in TG Loans By Web™
Starting September 16, lender customers that use Loans By Web will be able to process Grad PLUS loans. This change is part of TG's effort to implement HERA in its online software products. TG has already made HERA modifications in its loan management tool, AdvanTG Web™, effective June 26, 2006. Lenders should note that other HERA changes are also being implemented in Loans By Web.

Trends and Issues

Going to a conference? Share your knowledge — Part 3 in a series
Conference season is in full swing with large conferences planned over the next several months in states like Utah, Florida, and Georgia. In this final installment of a three-part series, Shoptalk Online offers you ways to capitalize on what you learn at conferences so that you and your organization get the most from your training investment.

Question of the week
May a student with a bachelor's degree receive a Pell Grant?

This, That, and the Other...

Forty-three states are getting failing grades in affordability according to a recently released study conducted by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. An article on CNN.com reports that the Center gave passing marks of a "C" to only two states — Utah and California. The Center rates institutions on a variety of variables; its affordability score reflects how much an average family's income it costs to go to college. Rising education bills aren't news to many families, which shell out — or borrow the equivalent of — as much as 30 to 40 percent of an annual paycheck to send one child to school. However, state and federal lawmakers aren't taking enough notice since financial aid is not keeping pace with the rise in tuition.

To read the complete CNN article, visit the site at www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/09/07/higher.education.report.ap/index.html.