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TG Updates

Shoptalk Online 492, February 24, 2009

TG Updates

TG sets varied training schedule for upcoming TG Annual Training Conference

The 2009 TG Annual Training Conference offers over 60 sessions on regulatory topics, industry trends, and professional development. This year's event kicks off on Wednesday, April 22, at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin, Texas. Themed "Stepping Up for Students — The Rhythm of FFELP," the conference focuses on the energy and dedication that financial aid professionals bring to their work.

Beatles-themed keynote address
The conference keynote address sets a positive tone with a session on "The 5 Best Decisions the Beatles Ever Made." Offered on Wednesday, April 22, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., this humorous but thoughtful consideration of the Beatles formula for success is presented by Bill Stainton, a television writer and author of nine corporate training programs. Stainton's programs are currently being used by hundreds of organizations, including IBM and Paramount Pictures.

The Beatles were a musical phenomenon that continues to attract fans and generate revenue. Stainton focuses on four elements of the Beatles' approach — attitude, goal setting, team building, and leadership. These "cornerstones of success" can be adopted by other organizations, according to Stainton, by following four general principles — the Four C's. These principles include:

More clarity
More cooperation
More cohesiveness
More fun (the C is silent)

General session on creativity
Each of us is born with the ability to be creative; however, we have to exercise that ability to make it grow. TG's conference offers help with a general session on Thursday, April 23, that focuses on developing and enhancing your creativity. Shelley Berc and Alejandra Fogel, members of Creativity Workshop based in New York City, lead the session. They follow the general session with a creativity workshop, which features a unique series of exercises dedicated to inspiring the life of the imagination.

ECASLA's effect on ACG/SMART
Cynthia Thornton of ED's Dallas regional office leads a special session via webinar on Thursday. The session focuses on the many changes that the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act (ECASLA) and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) recently made to the Academic Competitiveness Grant and National Smart Grant programs. This session reviews those changes and offers some time for Q&A.

Federal update
On Friday, the conference offers a special federal update session on the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), which reauthorized the Higher Education Act of 1965. The HEOA made important changes to the Title IV federal student aid programs, which became effective in September 2008. This session considers those changes and others that will take effect for the 2009-10 academic year.

To learn more and register
Find out more about this year's varied agenda by visiting TG Online at www.tgslc.org/tgconference/index.cfm. You can register for the conference at www.tgslc.org/tgconference/register.cfm.

Cincinnati organization bridges the "college gap" for first-generation students with help from TG

The "college gap" is growing in some cities, according to various studies. Less than a quarter of Cincinnati residents who are 25 and older have a bachelor's degree. Only 18 out of 100 ninth-graders successfully complete four years of college. And drop-out rates for high school students in Cincinnati Public Schools continue to be relatively high.

The Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (CYC), a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting college access among city youth, has designed a program to help raise college enrollment. The organization works with the Ohio Community Service Council and AmeriCorps to offer mentoring and college access services to juniors and seniors in community high schools, specifically to low-income and first-generation students. The initiative, the AmeriCorps College Access and Mentoring Program, is administered by recent college graduates trained to serve as mentors on college planning. Working in teams of two, mentors deliver ACT/SAT prep workshops, offer financial aid workshops, help in completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and even tutor in college essay writing. TG supports the program with a grant from its Public Benefit Grant Program.

Shoptalk Online recently asked program administrator Kristin Barnes a few questions to learn more about the program's varied services.

Q.: What can a college do to work more successfully with a program like AmeriCorps?

A.: I think collaborating on events and providing consistent opportunities for students to experience a college campus offers lots of opportunity. This could be accomplished via college tours, student shadowing opportunities, social events, and college classes. Allowing high school students to see everything that college offers — academically, socially, professionally, and personally — is a great way to motivate students.

Q.: How does AmeriCorps train counselors to work with first-generation students?

A.: Mentors participate in trainings provided by various groups, including the Ohio College Access Network, the Ohio Association of College Admission Counselors, freshman advisors, high school principals, even college professors. These trainings educate mentors about the needs of those they will serve. The actual personal work with students instills in mentors the desire to be sensitive to the informational and educational needs of the students. The advisor ends up rooting for the students just as much as the student roots for him or herself.

Q.: How do counselors motivate students to want to learn?

A.: Once students see the personal benefit that postsecondary education can have on their life, they are more motivated to start the process. Also, if students can see that you are genuine and sincere in your efforts to help, they are more likely to push forward even when they don't feel like it. They know and understand that not only have they set goals for themselves but that you have expectations of them. It becomes deeper than disappointing you; they don't want to disappoint themselves.

Q.: What's the most surprising question that you've heard students ask about college?

A.: I can't think of the most surprising question, but I've heard several myths. For example, you have to be rich in order to go to college; and it doesn't matter what your grades are, some college will take you. Quite a few students believe that if you aren't rich, or if you don't receive a scholarship, college is not an option. Debunking this myth can be an uphill battle. Some students aren't aware of all the financial aid options out there. Additionally, it can be difficult getting students to understand that, while there may be a college that will accept a student with a 1.7 GPA, there may not be any money for a student with a 1.7 GPA. Impressing upon the student the necessity of giving 100 percent to their grades on a daily basis is crucial.

Q.: What are the skills that can help students?

A.: Good study habits and personal accountability are the two skills I find most lacking and most important in terms of college preparation. Impressing students with the need to develop good study habits is a lesson that, a lot of times, is learned by trial and error. Enabling students to understand early on, that they are accountable for their actions, or lack thereof, helps to create more responsible students. They have to understand that the onus is on them — they are the only ones responsible for their destiny.

About TG's Public Benefit Grant Program
To apply for funds, organizations are required to submit proposals that address the issue of access to, or retention in, postsecondary education for low- to moderate-income students.

To learn more
If you'd like to learn more about TG's Public Benefit Grant Program, you'll find a description of its purpose and process on TG Online at www.tgslc.org/publicbenefit/index.cfm.

College connection: TG reaches out to middle school children and parents with college brochures

TG offers two new brochures that provide information and encouragement to middle school students interested in college.

Available in Spanish and English, College — A guide for first-generation middle school students provides a practical guide for students who will be the first in their family to attend college. The brochure includes information on the benefits of pursuing a higher education and features a variety of college planning tips.

TG also offers College — A guide for parents of first-generation middle school students, which serves as a guide for parents of students who will be the first in their family to attend college. Printed in Spanish and English, the brochure discusses the many benefits of getting a college degree and suggests a number of ways that parents can help their child plan for college.

Education as the key
The brochure for middle school children details various degree programs including certificates or diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and advanced or professional degrees. The brochure also advocates learning more about college, including reading about careers online or at a library; talking with people in particular careers; becoming involved with clubs and organizations; pursuing volunteer opportunities; and seeking leadership roles in extracurricular activities like student council, band, sports, and theatre.

The brochure for parents recommends early involvement in a child's education and offers a detailed approach to planning, including career research, saving early, attending college awareness events at high schools, and even visiting local colleges.

To order
To obtain a supply of TG's brochures, visit the Online Forms/Publications ordering page on TG Online at www.tgslc.org/order/index.cfm.

To find out more
If you have questions about information available in these brochures, please call TG customer assistance at (800) 845-6267, or send an e-mail message to cust.assist@tgslc.org.