Federal Updates

ED extends Common Review Initiative pilot
The CRI has completed a two-year pilot program, and ED has recently extended the pilot program through December 31, 2007.

TG Updates

TG publishes new report: Financial barriers to higher education significant for Texas students
An estimated 47,000 bachelor's degrees may be lost each year in Texas due to financial barriers students face, according to a new TG report prepared for the 80th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature that convened last week.

Mark your calendars for 2007 TG Conference
Looking for a fresh perspective on customer service? How about a workshop that explains concisely some of the latest developments in student aid? You'll find all of these things in a well-crafted training event that draws hundreds of financial aid professionals to Austin each year — the TG Annual Conference.

Spotlight on TG's Public Benefit Grant Program: LULAC National Education Service Center - Dallas
For FY 2007, TG’s Public Benefit Grant Program awarded more than $3.5 million in grants to institutions doing research or offering services that help ensure the academic access and success of college students. One grant went to an organizational arm of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), which has put together a unique mentoring program, called the Vertical Mentoring Program.

Tech Report

AdvanTG Web™ tool tips: Setting application purge dates
Because AdvanTG Web™ (AdvanTG Web) processes a variety of loan requests that are transmitted in different ways, it's good practice to periodically check the purge criteria in AdvanTG Web. Purge criteria defines how long records will be saved in a school or lender's AdvanTG Web database.

Trends and Issues

Question of the week
Does the FFELP have a nursing loan forgiveness program?

This, That, and the Other...

TG offices were closed on Tuesday, January 16, and till noon on Wednesday, January 17, because of severe weather.