Washington Report
House and Senate Pass 2010 Budget Resolutions With Student Loan Implications
The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have passed differing fiscal 2010 budget measures that could affect federal student loan programs. Read more.
Debt-Management Perspectives
USA Funds Observes Financial Literacy Month
In recognition of April as Financial Literacy Month, USA Funds® reminds schools of the different resources and tools USA Funds has available to help you assist students in developing basic financial skills. Read more.
Debt Management Webcast Series Begins May 4
USA Funds University plans debt management webcasts starting May 4. The sessions will review new repayment options, the basics of default prevention, the new three-year cohort default rate period, and financial literacy topics. Learn more and register.
USA Funds Update
USA Funds-Sponsored Events Help 12,000 Apply for Financial Aid
For the 13th year, USA Funds helped sponsored College Goal Sunday, funding events in 2009 that assisted more than 12,000 students and families in eight states. Read more.
Operations Bulletin
March 2009 Integrated Common Manual Available
The March 2009 Integrated Common Manual is available on the USA Funds Web site. View and print the Integrated Common Manual, including the summary of changes approved March 19, 2009, by the Common Manual Governing Board. You will need Adobe Reader to access the documents.
Policy Frequently Asked Question: PLUS Loan Deferment Requirements
USA Funds’ policy experts address a question about which PLUS loans automatically are deferred, and which PLUS loans require a deferment request from the parent or student in order to be deferred. Read more.
Letter Encourages Use of Professional Judgment
The U.S. Department of Education is reminding financial aid administrators that they can exercise professional judgment as appropriate in considering student eligibility for financial aid. In Dear Colleague Letter GEN-09-04, the Department encourages financial aid professionals “to reach out to your students (and prospective students), particularly those who seem to have hit a rough patch, to make sure that they know there may be ways that you can help.