New TG video spotlights IBR resources and support
More than a year after its inception, Income-Based Repayment, or IBR, continues to be one of the best options for borrowers who find themselves struggling with high student debt and limited resources to repay that debt. Available through TG Online, TG has produced a video that outlines eligibility requirements and details of IBR, recommends how to make students aware of the repayment plan, and then offers talking points on what to emphasize with borrowers as they explore IBR.

Philadelphia Futures: Program expands reach through TG Public Benefit grant
Now in its 20th year, Philadelphia Futures' college access and college success program, Sponsor-A-Scholar, prepares low-income, first-generation-to-college students attending Philadelphia's most underperforming high schools to enter and succeed in college. Shoptalk recently sat down with Joan C. Mazzotti, executive director for Philadelphia Futures, to learn more about their award-winning program.

Advising Corps will help low-income Texas students with college preparation
Texas high school students most in need of help planning for and enrolling in college soon will be getting assistance, thanks to funds from a public-private partnership between Bank of America, TG, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the College for All Texans Foundation, National College Advising Corps (NCAC) and The University of Texas at Austin's Institute for Public School Initiatives (IPSI).

Proposed rules on gainful employment: A closer look at the measures
On July 26, 2010, ED published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to establish measures for determining if educational programs designed to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation should qualify for Title IV funding. In this article, we will examine the financial measures that ED is proposing to use to evaluate these types of programs at public, private non-profit, and for-profit postsecondary schools. The two measures include Loan Repayment Rate and Debt to Earnings ratios.

New guidance for Title IV participants affected by a major disaster
On August 23, 2010, ED announced in DCL GEN-10-16/FP-10-6 new guidance to help Title IV student financial aid participants that are impacted by a federally declared major disaster. This guidance supplements all information in the Federal Student Aid Handbook and supersedes guidance included in previous Dear Colleague Letters.

Volumes 1 and 5 of 2010-11 Federal Student Aid Handbook now available
Recently, ED released both Volumes 1 and 5 of the 2010-11 FSA Handbook. Volume 1 covers student eligibility and Volume 5 provides guidance on handling overawards, overpayments, and withdrawal calculations. Listed in this report are the applicable volumes and chapters along with a brief summary of the changes for 2010-11.

Latest IFAP postings
For the convenience of the entire financial aid community, ED assembles Title IV federal student aid guidance, resources, and information on its Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) website. Recent postings, listed by topic, are presented alphabetically by category.