TG Updates

TG offers free teleconference on the loan issues final rules

On November 1, ED released a regulations package pertaining to the Title IV loan programs. To assist our business partners in understanding and implementing these new rules, TG will provide a free teleconference including a summary of the rules and a discussion of the major provisions that will impact students, borrowers, schools, and lenders. If ED issues additional guidance prior to the teleconference in the form of a Dear Colleague Letter, that information will also be incorporated into the session. The teleconference, scheduled for Tuesday, December 11, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (CDT), is being offered at no cost and is open and available to participants from any institution.

The teleconference presenters will be Laura Kowalski, TG assistant manager of policy and regulatory affairs, and Kelly Kaelin, TG senior policy advisor.

To register
To participate in the teleconference, participants must pre-register with AT&T by telephone at (877) 471-4350. When pre-registering for the teleconference, please reference Conference ID number 897137.

Participants must pre-register at least 24 hours prior to the teleconference.

More information
For more information, contact Sheila Casey at (800) 252-9743, ext. 4576, or send an e-mail message to sheila.casey@tgslc.org.

  Back to Top

You are invited: TG Annual Conference planned for mid-April 2008

Mark your calendars for the 2008 TG Annual Conference, which will be held April 23-25 at the Renaissance Hotel in northwest Austin. TG works to provide you a well-rounded menu of training options with a particular focus on effective regulatory training. Watch for upcoming details in future issues of Shoptalk Online.

A note about conference sponsorship
TG team members were approached at various times with questions about the conference, including the latest Texas Association of Financial Aid Administrators' meeting. Specifically, team members were asked if TG would still be able to offer its TG Annual Conference, and if lenders would continue to sponsor the conference.

Based on numerous industry issues related to proper conduct and appropriate behavior of participants in the FFELP, TG wants to clarify and reiterate our commitment to providing relevant training to our FFELP customers, specifically at the TG Annual Conference.

TG's mission and purpose as a FFELP guarantor is different from that of FFELP lenders and servicers. A part of our role is to specifically provide needed training. In the Texas Higher Education Fair Lending Practices Agreement, the Texas Attorney General specifically exempted TG from restrictions that have been made applicable to the "student loan lender," allowing TG to pursue its mission-related objective in an appropriate and legal way. Providing industry-related training to FFELP customers remains a critical focus of TG's mission, and we will continue to provide allowed FFELP training on an on-going basis through regional training sessions, WebEx trainings, tele-conferences, on-site training events, and through our premier training event — the TG Annual Conference.

Commencing with the 2008 Training Conference, TG will no longer solicit or accept sponsorship funds from lenders and servicers to help defray the cost of the conference. Historically, lender and servicer sponsorships have covered about 25 percent of the cost of the TG Annual Conference. However, in light of the industry discussions related to codes of conduct, new regulations and a growing concern within the student lending industry's practices and ethics, TG management affirmatively decided during its FY 2008 budget process to increase the TG Annual Conference operating budget to pay for the conference without sponsorships of any sort from lender and servicer customers. The commitment of these funds by TG will enable TG to continue to provide the quality training and industry learning opportunities that have been the hallmark of our annual training conference.

To learn more
For questions about the TG Annual Conference, visit TG Online at www.tgslc.org/tgconference/index.cfm.

  Back to Top