Washington Report

Kennedy Bill Seeks to Ensure Student Loan Access, Reduce Reliance on Private Loans
Legislation introduced April 3 by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., seeks to ensure student loan dollars are available this fall and to curb borrowing from private loan programs. Read more.

Debt-Management Perspectives

Free Retention Planning Web Conference Set for April 22
Anne Fischer, a USA Funds debt management consultant, will join presenters from Noel-Levitz and the State University of New York April 22 for a free one-hour Web conference, “Maximizing Student Success Through Data-Driven Retention Planning.” Read more.

USA Funds Update

Reminder: Lenders Invited to USA Funds Life Skills Train-the-Trainer Workshop
USA Funds reminds lenders about an April 22 USA Funds Life Skills^® Train-the-Trainer Workshop for lenders, to be conducted in Grapevine, Texas. Learn more and register or the workshop.

Operations Bulletin

Special Allowance Rates Announced for Quarter Ending March 31, 2008
The U.S. Department of Education has published Special Allowance Rates for the quarter ending March 31, 2008. You will need Adobe Reader to view and print the latest rates.

March 2008 Integrated Common Manual Available
The March 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 March 20 by the Common Manual Governing Board.

PLUS MPN Still Valid
Although it carries an expiration date of March 31, 2008, the current Federal PLUS Loan Application and Master Promissory Note still is valid. According to the U.S. Department of Education, lenders, schools and borrowers should continue to use the form until a revised form is approved. The revised PLUS MPN is working its way through the review process at the Education Department and Office of Management and Budget. You will need Adobe Reader to access the PLUS MPN from the USA Funds Web site.