USA Funds Update

 USA Funds to Accept Scholarship Applications Beginning Dec. 15
USA Funds^® will accept applications online beginning Dec. 15 for $1,500 scholarships to students through the USA Funds Access to Education Scholarships^® program. These scholarships will help low- and moderate-income students pay college expenses during the 2009-2010 academic year. Learn more about the program.

USA Funds Helps Business-Higher Education Forum Promote Education Access
USA Funds recently awarded a $125,000 grant to the Business-Higher Education Forum in support of initiatives to improve access to education. Read more.

Reminder: Fall Financial Aid Workshops and Webcasts Begin Today
You still have time to register for USA Funds University’s Fall Financial Aid Workshop and webcast sessions. Sessions begin today and continue through Dec. 4. Learn more.

Debt-Management Perspectives

USA Funds Life Skills Brings Money Management Concepts to Students on Reservation
Ed Curtis of Diné College on the Navajo Nation reservation turns to USA Funds Life Skills^® to help him teach his students the skills they’ll need to succeed at four-year universities and outside the reservation. Learn more.

Operations Bulletin

Updated, Combined Entrance and Exit Form Now Available
USA Funds has updated its loan counseling interview forms to create a new, combined entrance and exit form that contains language consistent with the new federal requirements. Read more.

September 2008 Integrated Common Manual Available
The September 2008 Integrated Common Manual is available on the USA Funds Web site. View and print the Integrated Common Manual, including the summary of changes approved Sept. 18, 2008, by the Common Manual Governing Board. You will need Adobe Reader to access the materials on the USA Funds Web site.

Access to Education

Report Focuses on Educational Progress, Challenges for American Indians/Alaska Natives
A new report from the National Center for Education Statistics examines the educational progress of American Indians and Alaska Natives, as well as educational challenges they face. “Status and Trends in the Education of American Indians and Alaska Natives: 2008” notes an increase in the number of American Indian/Alaska Native students who have pursued higher education, as well as higher attainment expectations. Differences in educational performance persist between American Indian/Alaska Native students and students of other racial and ethnic groups, however.