Tech Talk

USA Funds Student Loan Transition Guide Offers Online Exit Counseling
USA Funds Student Loan Transition Guide^SM, USA Funds^®’ online exit-counseling tool for undergraduate students, is the latest module within the USA Funds Loan Counselor^SM product. Learn more.

USA Funds Update

Winter-2007 ‘USA Funds Education Partnerships’ Newsletter Available
USA Funds has issued the latest edition of its quarterly newsletter highlighting USA Funds’ support of programs that enhance preparation for, access to and success in higher education. The winter-2007 issue of “USA Funds Education Partnerships” features stories about a new report on higher-education-access issues for American Indians; USA Funds President and CEO Carl Dalstrom’s promotion of college access and community involvement; and the importance of supporting American-Indian education. Download a copy of the newsletter using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

USA Funds Advises Education Lenders of Federal Default Fee-Buydown Procedures
USA Funds offers its lender-customers information about continuing or initiating a buydown of the 1-percent federal default fee. Read more.

Online Training From USA Funds Gets New Aid Administrator ‘Up to Speed’
USA Funds’ online-learning opportunities paved the way for Jennifer Hill of Washburn University to go from financial-aid novice to knowledgeable student-aid professional. Learn more.

USA Funds Lists Top-100 Lenders
USA Funds lists the top-100 lenders of USA Funds-guaranteed loans for January. Read the list.

Washington Report

House Approves One-Year Repeal of Pell-Grant ‘Tuition Sensitivity’
The U.S. House has approved a measure to repeal a provision that limits Pell-Grant awards to students attending postsecondary institutions with low rates of tuition. Read more.

Debt-Management Perspectives

USA Funds Helps Nevada Focus on Preventing Student-Loan Defaults
USA Funds and the Nevada System of Higher Education coordinated two February workshops where participants developed default-prevention plans for their schools. Learn more.

Operations Bulletin

Department Issues New Promissory-Note Addendum and Plain Language Disclosure
The U.S. Department of Education announced the availability of a Federal Stafford-loan promissory-note addendum and Plain Language Disclosure that reflect the changes in annual loan limits that take effect July 1, 2007. Dear Colleague Letter FP-07-02 also notes that the new Plain Language Disclosure clarifies that some loans with variable interest rates have a rate that is lower during in-school, grace and deferment periods, but higher during repayment and forbearance. Participants in the Federal Family Education Loan Program should begin using these updated forms immediately.

February-2007 Integrated Common Manual Available
The February-2007 Integrated Common Manual is available on the USA Funds Web site. View and print the Integrated Common Manual, including the summary of changes approved Feb. 15, 2007, by the Common Manual Governing Board.