Federal Updates

Closed school corner
The Department of Education announces three new closures.

A hectic week on the hill
As members of Congress rushed to debate and vote upon an impressive amount of legislation while preparing to adjourn for the August recess, even seasoned politicians and policymakers could be forgiven for feeling as if they’ve been put through the grinder. This article provides a status report on the various pieces of higher education-related legislation working their way through the House and the Senate currently.

Economic hardship deferment form updated with new federal minimum wage rate
The English and Spanish versions of the Economic Hardship Deferment Request (HRD) form have been updated to reflect the new minimum wage rate that goes into effect today.

TG Updates

TG announces 2008 dates for Financial Aid Leadership Symposium
If you're a supervisor or manager looking to advance in financial aid, you may have noticed the dearth of training opportunities geared specifically for your needs. TG helps fill the void with a unique training experience — the Financial Aid Leadership Symposium, a week-long workshop on the building blocks of good leadership.

Meet Kathy Campbell, TG's account executive for California
After working 23 years in most every area of financial aid, Kathy Campbell stays dedicated to her profession for one simple reason. “Knowing how many doors higher education can open for an individual who is willing to make the long term commitment to college has always inspired me.”

Spotlight on TG's Public Benefit Grant Program: the McLennan Community College Foundation's "First Generation College Student Initiative"
About two years ago, the McLennan Community College Foundation began a multi-faceted campaign to support students of McLennan Community College as well as reach out to the local community. The approach of this initiative is comprehensive — offering scholarships, organizing college-prep courses, partnering with local community organizations, conducting research, and even connecting students with mentoring services.

Trends and Issues

Question of the week
Is a student allowed to change (increase) his or her household size on the FAFSA after completing the FAFSA?

This, That, and the Other...

Mapping Your Future™ recently acquired a new website address, giving students and schools another link to access the services and information that Mapping Your Future offers on college and career planning. Effective immediately, website visitors going to www.mappingyourfuture.org — leaving out the dashes in the address — will be directed to the Mapping Your Future home page. The www.mapping-your-future.org address — with the dashes — will also work and take visitors to the appropriate location on the Web.

Mapping Your Future acquired ownership of this website address to protect its trademark and to prevent the confusion of students who went to the www.mappingyourfuture.org address and did not find the appropriate information. Mapping Your Future also will be adding a second address for all staff, which will include the additional address, e.g., feedback@mappingyourfuture.org.

Mapping Your Future will be adding the new address to its promotional materials as well. For questions about this change or to learn more about Mapping Your Future, contact CariAnne Behr at (573) 634-8641. You can also send an message to carianne@mapping-your-future.org.