January 18, 2011 - Edition 587 TG
Shoptalk

TG Report

Join TG at Financial Aid Awareness Month events around Texas
Throughout February, TG will meet with students and families at key awareness events, offering information and resources for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and planning for college.

Register to be a host site for TG's "Applying for Student Financial Aid" webinar
On February 10, TG will offer the 2011 "Applying for Student Financial Aid" webinar, which is designed to answer questions and provide information on completing the 2011-12 FAFSA and the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). College-bound students who view the webinar at a registered host site will be included in a drawing for a scholarship.

New TG Financial Literacy Program module explains the basics of expense planning
A new TG Financial Literacy Program module — Spending Plans: Meeting Goals the Simple Way — describes how students can set a spending plan in order to successfully meet life goals and save for long-term needs. The module includes information on what common mistakes to avoid in planning, and tips on how to prepare for unforeseen expenses.

TG calculators can help your students and parents plan for college costs
TG offers a variety of calculators that allow users to project monthly loan payments once they graduate; gauge the expected family contribution (EFC) for students and/or families; and help determine what students can expect to take home in pay given a certain salary, for example.

Smart Solutions
TG's Adventures In Education comes with a Frequently Asked Questions section on paying for college. Your students can find concise answers for a variety of common questions like "What is campus-based aid?" and "How do I apply for financial aid?"
News Briefs

Online learning in college is growing at a fast rate, according to research statistics. The number of college students earning degrees exclusively through online coursework has tripled since 2004. At least a quarter of all students take at least one online learning class at some point while enrolled. The Chronicle of Higher Education offers a profile of the online learning phenomenon with tables and graphs that show, among other things, the favored major of an online learner (criminal justice) and the top ten universities offering online-only enrollment (the University of Phoenix is number one). Note that some articles are available through the Chronicle only by subscription.