November 2, 2010 - Edition 578 TG
Shoptalk

Industry Update

ED publishes final rules for program integrity
On October 29, 2010, the Department of Education (ED) issued final regulations on a group of topics known as "Program Integrity Issues." The final rules include a number of changes to the proposed rules published in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on June 18, 2010.

TG Report

TG promotes free resource for college planning to Laredo Hispanic community
In collaboration with Generation TX, TG 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 and for applying for federal and state student financial aid.

Sharpen your regulatory IQ with TG sessions at upcoming CASFAA Annual Conference
Several months after the July 1 industry shift, two issues continue to occupy many financial aid officers — regulatory changes and office management on a reduced budget. To help with both subjects, TG offers workshops at the upcoming California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (CASFAA) Annual Conference to be held in San Diego, December 12-14.

Offer your December graduates repayment support with TG's IBR calculator
Before they leave campus, make sure your December graduates understand their repayment options, including Income-Based Repayment (IBR). TG provides a simple calculator tool for helping to determine whether a borrower qualifies for IBR, and then estimating a monthly payment.

TG Financial Literacy Program workshop helps students focus on key money management skill — distinguishing needs from wants
A session of the TG Financial Literacy Program, "Needs and Wants: Prioritizing What Counts," helps students distinguish between fundamental necessities and desires or preferences. In particular, the workshop considers how needs can turn into wants and vice versa, given context and changes across time. The objective is to help students set spending priorities for immediate need and for long-term goals.

Policy Report

Latest IFAP postings
ED's latest electronic announcements cover a variety of topics, including common origination and disbursement, changes to the Federal Register, and loan servicing.

Smart Solutions
Your December graduates are probably busy on their résumés. Offer them tips on formulating and polishing the "face" that comes with a résumé — the cover letter. TG's Adventures In Education offers guidance on how to write a strong cover letter that grabs a prospective employer's attention.
News Briefs

As smartphone applications multiply, so do the number of ways that college recruiters can reach prospective students. Many colleges now offer mobile apps for tracking admissions applications or connecting with admissions counselors. Others spotlight the college experience, offering local weather updates and virtual campus tours. According to many college administrators, the virtual campus tour is by far one of the more popular apps, supplying the next best thing to being on campus. The New Jersey Institute of Technology provides an interesting variation on the tour — a podcast of 25 videos, each no longer than 90 seconds, that profile campus buildings and landmarks. Learn more about the growing use of virtual tools in college admissions.