Shoptalk 526, October 20, 2009

TG Report

Fall 2009 TG Users Group Meeting replaced with webinars

To better accommodate schedules and provide information more conveniently, TG will offer a webinar in lieu of the Fall TG User Group (TUG) Board meeting. The webinar will cover many of the agenda items set for the TUG meeting; it will also be held twice — at two different times on Thursday, November 5.

Webinar topics — TG product update and Put processing considerations
The November 5 webinar will provide an overview of TG's FY 2010 product plans and possible product and services strategies including:

Origination and funding for FFELP and alternative, or private, loans
TG's default prevention tool — the Integrated Default Assistant™ (IDA™)
Making online payments through myTG℠ — The myTG portal is TG's loan account management tool, which provides secure online access to borrowers for their TG loans. Borrowers in default now have the ability to make their loan payments online through myTG.
Updates on TG's financial literacy program offerings
Put processing considerations for both schools and lenders and TG enhancements to help schools and lenders facilitate the Put process

Webinar times

Thursday, November 5, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Central Time
Thursday, November 5, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Central Time (repeat)

Register
Join us for a discussion on the latest updates to TG's products as well as an overview of Put processing considerations.

Upcoming List Assist℠ webinars
TG has also scheduled several webinars on TG's enhancements to List Assist. List Assist provides an online tool for managing surveys used to create a recommended lender list for students. The survey tool is being enhanced to provide support for creating and managing alternative loan surveys. Register for the webinar today.

To learn more
For questions, contact TG's product training coordinator Lisa Felder at (800) 252-9743, ext. 4758, or send an email message to lisa.felder@tgslc.org.

Latest TG Connection explores how financial aid offices help students in a changing economy

A challenging market has prompted some students to rethink their college plans, according to a recent survey by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Among other findings, the survey reports that a greater number of graduating high school seniors are choosing less expensive schools, including public universities close to home or 2-year community colleges. Others are opting to postpone college altogether in favor of working to earn money and gain practical work experience.

The latest issue of TG Connection, TG's quarterly news magazine, focuses on how colleges serve students during tough economic times. Particular articles examine college career centers as well as the various ways that 2-year colleges help students transition into life after college. Other articles consider how financial aid offices are working with financially stressed students. Here's a preview of the edition's articles.

Setting the mainsail: College career centers help students set a course for the next stage of their life's journey — College career centers have been a long-time feature of many campuses, helping students plan for a career and acquire the skills to land a job. Over time, many centers have evolved. Now, instead of catering exclusively to seniors anxious to find job leads, many career centers start working with students as soon as they arrive on campus.
Communication: A time-tested tool helps financial aid administrators prepare students for the future — While not always easy, candid communication helps in finding solutions for families and students who need financial aid. Strong communication skills can also serve to promote persistence rates or aid in responding to other challenges brought on by a shifting economy.
A practical guide to evaluating a financial literacy program — More colleges are investing time and resources in creating financial literacy programs. Schools should regularly evaluate a program's effectiveness to make sure that students understand and retain critical financial skills. This article highlights the many ways a school can measure the quality of a program.
Dealing with debt: Financial literacy and today's student borrower — Students sometimes take on educational debt and then struggle to repay it. This article describes how financial literacy programs are helping students better plan for life after graduation and manage their debt-to-income ratio.
Propelling students with 4-year college aspirations: Community colleges serve as a launch pad for low-income and first-generation students with loftier educational goals — While the economy may be in a slump, many states are taking steps to promote a more prosperous future. Texas' Closing the Gaps initiative aims to increase student participation, student success, and research. A recent study by The Pell Institute recognized six Texas 2-year community colleges for their efforts to support the Closing the Gaps initiative. The colleges all have programs designed to help low-income, first-generation students transfer to 4-year institutions.

Order your issue
If you would like to request one or more issues of TG Connection, please send an email message to TG communications at communications@tgslc.org. Please allow one to two weeks for delivery.

TG to host Florida Community College Forum

With a changing economy and shifting financial aid landscape, the 2-year college community finds itself facing new challenges, including growing enrollment and slimmer budgets. TG offers help through its Center for Financial Aid Policy in Community Colleges.

The Center works to raise awareness among state and national policymakers about effective financial aid policies and practices for community colleges and their students. The Center does this in a number of ways, including through small conferences or forums. The Center will hold a forum for Florida community colleges on November 5 at the Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Forum's agenda
The Florida Community College Forum focuses on subjects important to community colleges, such as default aversion and the latest legislative changes. Financial aid professionals from Florida community colleges are invited to attend. The Forum is provided at no cost.

Meeting time and place
Thursday, November 5, 2009
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern Time
Florida State College at Jacksonville — Downtown campus
Advanced Technology Center — Room T140
401 West State Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202

To register
Join your community college colleagues at the Forum by registering at www.tgslc.org/cfapcc/forum/fl_register.cfm.

To learn more
Find out more about the activities of the Center for Financial Aid Policy in Community Colleges at www.tgslc.org/cfapcc.