September 28, 2010 - Edition 573 TG
Shoptalk

TG Report

Questions about college? The answers are one phone call away
TG, in collaboration with Generation TX, has launched a multimedia campaign promoting the Texas Financial Aid Information Center (TFAIC), a toll-free call center that helps answer questions about planning and paying for college. The campaign encourages Hispanic parents to call TFAIC for help with the Texas college admissions process.

TG schedules train-the-trainer webinars for redesigned Financial Literacy Program
This October, TG will release a revised and expanded Financial Literacy Program, comprised of a set of 10 15-minute presentations. TG's financial literacy consultants can provide these trainings to students, or they can train school representatives to do so. TG will offer "train-the-trainer" sessions to schools throughout the first quarter of FY 2011.

Join TG next week for TASFAA Conference sessions on cohort default rate and student loan repayment
At this year's Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (TASFAA) Fall Conference, TG presenters will explore the details of the cohort default rate calculation and describe repayment options available to students as they enter the workforce.

Transition to college: TG offers new worksheet to smooth the process
TG offers for order the College Advising 101 Worksheet: Planning Your Transition to College, which includes information that every student (and parent, for that matter) should know about planning for college.

Focus on the latest regulatory changes with TG's ongoing webinar series
TG's free webinar series on industry topics continues over the next few months, covering final program rules and entrance and exit counseling, among other topics.

Industry veteran and TG's long-time policy lead Nina Hold retires
This week, TG's assistant vice president of Policy and Regulatory Affairs team Nina Hold retires after almost three decades in the student aid industry. Hold's record of service is impressive and includes serving on the team that produced the industry bible of FFELP policies and procedures, the Common Manual, as well as the various common forms.

Adventures In Education offers help for that inevitable college student chore — moving
No one ever said moving was fun. To help out college students, TG's Adventures In Education (AIE™) offers a relocation guide, which suggests how students can plan ahead, make smart choices, and reach their destination.

Industry Update

Closed School Corner
ED reports one new school closing for September.

Policy Report

Common Manual updates
Guarantor representatives who serve on the Common Manual Governing Board have approved several changes to the Common Manual.

Latest IFAP Postings
ED has posted a variety of announcements on its IFAP website, including notices on campus-based aid, the Federal Register, and the Federal Student Aid Handbook.

Smart Solutions
TG's mobile version of its college and career preparation website, Adventures In Education, has been redesigned. The www.AIE.org/Mobile site works more smoothly now on a variety of smartphone platforms. Various features have also been added from the original site, including the Income-Based Repayment calculator.
News Briefs

Statistics on private borrowing for college are hard to come by, but the College Board estimates that borrowing outside the federal student loan programs has dropped by at least half. Certainly, the recession has had its effect on the availability of capital to lend. And aggregate federal loan limits have increased. However, parents and students continue to turn to private loans in worst case situations, that is, when federal funds aren't enough and PLUS loans aren't available. Given such situations it remains important to educate borrowers about the differences between federal and private student loans and the particular obligations that come with private loans. Mapping Your Future® recently released an online counseling session on private loans, which you can offer your students. The session presents information in a six-step process covering a variety of private loan issues, including loan terms, choosing a lender, and repayment options.