|
Federal Updates
President signs (another) HEA extension into law
On September 30, the president signed legislation (H.R. 6138) to extend the Higher Education Act (HEA) through June 30, 2007.
ED releases guidance on distance education accreditation
On Thursday, September 29, ED released Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) GEN-06-17. GEN-06-17 provides guidance on institutional accreditation for distance learning programs. Schools identified by ED as not having a primary accrediting agency that includes distance education in its scope should have received DCL GEN-06-17 directly.
Closed school corner
The Department of Education announces two new closures.
TG Updates
TG awards more than $3.8 million in competitive grants to schools and other institutions
For the second consecutive year, TG has awarded grants to advance college access, student retention, and educational research. The Public Benefit Grant Program, a philanthropic initiative of TG, will award more than $3.8 million in competitive grants to 28 institutions and nonprofit organizations for the 2006-07 academic year. Recipients will use the grant funds to enhance opportunities and access to higher education and improve student success in preparing for and earning a college degree.
Keep borrowers on track with TG's Managing Repayment brochure
You can measure student success in a number of ways: good grades, a promising career, or long-term financial prosperity. But one of the clearest indications of success comes with something that sounds a little less glamorous: paying off a student loan. That can sometimes be a hard concept to sell to students, who may not see the immediate value in long-term diligence and effective financial planning. To help you as you educate your students and borrowers about their student loan obligations, TG has put together a brochure called Managing Repayment, available in English and Spanish.
Going to the TASFAA Conference? You're invited to TG's reception
Financial aid industry conferences offer a great way to learn more about student aid through trainings and workshops; they're also an opportunity for catching up with colleagues and friends. If you're attending this year's TASFAA Conference in San Antonio, Texas, be sure to drop by TG's reception.
Reporting Back: 1997
The annual report for 1997, titled Serving the Investment in Education, reviews the history of the FFELP and TG's role within it, emphasizing TG's commitment to customer service and technological innovation.
Trends and Issues
Texas high school students gaining valuable knowledge about financial literacy
Beginning this year, all Texas high school students will be exposed to concepts that teach life skills, as Texas joins eight other states that require a course in personal financial literacy for graduation. According to a study conducted by the Jump$tart Coalition, only about 19 percent of the nation's high school graduates have taken a course on financial literacy.
Question of the week
Can more than one parent borrower obtain a PLUS loan for the same dependent student and loan period?
Legislative Update
According to the October 2 issue of TG's Legislative Report, upcoming congressional elections will return slim majorities for either party that wins. This situation will place an even stronger emphasis on bipartisanship to get legislation passed. Learn more by reading the full report on TG Online at www.tgslc.org/lege_report/index.cfm.
| 
