Presentation times for each session are listed after the session description.

• Federal-Methodology Calculations  
  Part F of the Higher Education Act, as amended, specifies the criteria, calculations and tables  used in the computation of the Expected Family Contribution. Financial-aid administrators need a thorough understanding of the federal methodology to properly perform professional judgment. This session covers the elements used in federal methodology, how these elements are used and how changing the elements affects the computation of an EFC. 
  (60-75 minutes)
• Federal Update  
  This session provides a status report on the reauthorization changes resulting from the Higher Education Reconciliation Act and previews updates to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the federal student-aid-delivery system. You'll also learn about the eligibility requirements and administrative responsibilities of the new federal grant programs established through the HERA, as well as the legislation’s extension of PLUS-loan eligibility to graduate and professional students. 
  (45-60 minutes)
• Federal Verification   
  The regulations governing the federal verification process are detailed and specific. In this session, you gain insight into several aspects of verification, including definitions, background and mistakes. 
  (45-60 minutes)
• FERPA 
  The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act was designed to protect personally identifiable information within students’ educational records. Most of the information maintained in the financial-aid office falls under FERPA regulations. This session reviews what information is covered by the FERPA, whose rights are protected, how these requirements affect the financial-aid office and what procedures should be followed to ensure compliance. 
  (45-75 minutes)
• IRS Tax-Filing Requirements  
  In the past, financial-aid administrators were not required to be familiar with the U.S. tax code. The U.S. Department of Education now has indicated that financial-aid administrators are “obligated to know” the following items:
  • Whether an individual was required to file a tax return.
  • What an individual’s correct filing status should be, including requirements regarding filing as a head of household.
  • That an individual cannot be claimed as an exemption by more than one person. 
  • When a mismatch exists between assets reported and income reported from assets.
  This session presents these elements of the tax code and provides an easy-to-follow reference for financial-aid administrators.
  (45-60 minutes)
• Loan Disbursement and Cash-Management Regulations
  This session covers cash-management issues and regulations, disbursement rules and notices, and authorization guidelines. You also receive information about the principles used to determine the frequency of annual loan limits. 
  (45-60 minutes)
• NSLDS Data-Conflict Resolution  
  This session covers how National Student Loan Data System data conflicts are resolved. You will have the opportunity to learn about the numerous data providers to NSLDS, and how to identify types of data conflicts that the NSLDS Customer Care Center can resolve, and those conflicts that aren’t suitable to forward to the NSLDS Customer Care Center. 
  (30-45 minutes)
• Overawards 
  An overaward occurs when the amount of financial aid awarded exceeds demonstrated financial need. This session reviews the reasons overawards occur and the options to correct and prevent overawards. In addition, you’ll work through case studies that demonstrate how to correct an overaward. 
  (30-45 minutes)
• Professional Judgment
  This session equips financial-aid professionals with the knowledge and skills to address extenuating circumstances and the needs of their students. The session provides realistic case studies that illuminate the regulations governing professional judgment. 
  (45-60 minutes)
• Preparing for an Audit  
  One of the best ways to ensure a smooth and successful audit is to understand what will happen during the audit. This session describes how to prepare. 
  (30-45 minutes)
• Return of Title-IV Funds
  This session explores the regulatory background, concepts and definitions in regulations regarding the return of federal Title-IV student-aid funds when students withdraw from an educational institution. 
  (45-60 minutes)

Select from our list of topics to design your own professional-development track based on the issues important to your audience. To discuss options, contact your USA Funds^® Services account executive.