November 16, 2010 - Edition 581 TG
Shoptalk

Industry Update

Final rules focus: State authorization as a component of school eligibility
On October 29, 2010, ED published final rules on Program Integrity Issues to include clarification of the basis on which a school is permitted to participate in the Title IV student aid programs.

Review the changes to disbursements of Title IV funds — provisions for books and supplies
Effective July 1, 2011, ED is amending current rules regarding disbursements of Title IV funds to provide needy students with a way to obtain required books and supplies in a timely manner.

Looking closer at return of Title IV funds for programs with modules or compressed courses
The final rules introduce changes in the return of Title IV funds (R2T4) rules for students enrolled in educational programs that include modules or compressed courses.

Return of Title IV funds and taking attendance
In the final rules, ED clarifies and expands the definition of "an institution that is required to take attendance". Some of the changes simply formalize current policy guidance, while others introduce conceptual changes to the definition.

How the final rules affect "ability-to-benefit" regulations
ED addresses eligibility criteria for students to demonstrate an ability to benefit (ATB) from a school's program, as well as the testing process used by many ATB students.

TG Report

Register for TG's November industry webinars on Program Integrity final rules
To help schools understand and prepare to implement the latest round of final rules, TG will offer a two-part webinar on Program Integrity final rules on November 18 and 19, 2010.

TG's Center for Financial Aid Policy in Community Colleges welcomes new advisory committee members
TG established the Center for Financial Aid Policy in Community Colleges as a resource to community colleges on policy and practice. Four new members were recently elected to the advisory committee.

TG's Thanksgiving hours and Shoptalk publishing schedule
TG offices will close at noon on Wednesday, November 24, and will remain closed for the remainder of the week. Shoptalk will also take a short hiatus. The next edition of Shoptalk will be published November 30.

Smart Solutions
TG's weekly e-newsletter, AIEmail, is a great source for information on events, news, advice, deadline reminders, and more related to higher education and financial aid. Offer it as one of your outreach resources for families. Students and parents can subscribe to AIEmail online.
News Briefs

According to various federal and private sector studies, higher education in the U.S. is in a race of sorts — a race to produce enough students with a postsecondary degree over the next 20 years so that the U.S. economy can continue to grow. Many of these studies project that graduation rates aren't high enough to sustain U.S. competitiveness with other industrialized nations. A new white paper produced by McKinsey and Company, a private consulting firm, offers a few ideas for boosting rates. Among other things, the white paper, "Winning by degrees: The strategies of highly productive higher-education institutions," suggests that 2- and 4-year public institutions should work more closely with students as they plan their courseload over the two or four years of study; monitor course loads to prevent students from registering for too many electives; integrate technology into instruction in order to cut costs and focus resources elsewhere; beef up student support services for academic, financial, and career preparation; and streamline other services in order to reduce costs in these areas. Learn more about some of the latest research into raising enrollment and graduation rates.