USA Funds® Education Access Report will not be published on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, due to the holiday season. Publication will resume on Jan. 9, 2007. We look forward to providing you the latest updates about education-access and higher-education-finance issues in 2007.
USA Funds Update
USA Funds Supports Scholarships for American-Indian Students
The American Indian College Fund recently hosted its annual Flame of Hope gala, with USA Funds awarding a $100,000 grant to support the nation’s largest provider of private scholarships for American-Indian students. Learn more.
Newsletter Highlights USA Funds’ Efforts to Promote Higher-Education Preparedness, Access and Success
USA Funds has issued the latest edition of a quarterly newsletter highlighting USA Funds’ support of programs that enhance preparation for, access to and success in higher education. The fall-2006 issue of “USA Funds Education Partnerships” focuses on USA Funds’ efforts to bolster education achievement in Mississippi, and on steps that states can take to strengthen higher education. Download a copy of the newsletter, using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
California Policy Options Available on USA Funds Web Site
A new report highlights institutional and policy recommendations to enhance postsecondary access and success for California students, with a focus on Latinos. USA Funds supported the research project, which Excelencia in Education conducted in association with the California Policy Research Center and the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute. Read the full report, California Policy Options.
Debt-Management Perspectives
USA Funds Debt Manager Simplifies Default-Prevention Work for Hawaii Pacific University
The director of loans for Hawaii Pacific University says USA Funds Debt Manager® makes default-prevention efforts easier, giving her more time to work with students. Read more.
Operations Bulletin
Matrix Outlines Guidance on Total-and-Permanent-Disability Discharges
The U.S. Department of Education recently posted to its Web site a matrix with guidance for handling loan discharges in the case of the total-and-permanent disability of certain borrowers and endorsers. Learn more.
Dear Colleague Letter Addresses Consolidation-Loan Issues
The U.S. Department of Education provided an update on consolidation-loan issues. In Dear Colleague Letter GEN-06-20, the Department addresses revised eligibility requirements for loan consolidation through the Federal Family Education Loan Program and Federal Direct Loan Program, and reminds FFELP participants of their obligation to promptly complete and return Loan Verification Certificates. The letter also provides information about implementing restrictions on a borrower’s eligibility to consolidate existing consolidation loans.
Department Provides Guidance on Changes Resulting From HEA Extension
A new Dear Colleague Letter provides details about changes made to Title-IV loan programs as a result of the September extension of the Higher Education Act. The guidance addresses eligible lender-trustees used by schools, loan forgiveness for survivors of victims of the Sept. 11 2001, terrorist attacks, as well as changes to the Hispanic Serving Institutions grant program under Title V. The Department of Education’s DCL GEN-06-21 is available for downloading from the USA Funds Web site.