USA Funds Update

USA Funds Enhances College Planning Program
USA Funds^® has released a redesigned and enhanced version of its popular college planning program USA Funds Unlock the Future^®. The program promotes early awareness of the benefits of higher education to middle school students and their parents and offers resources to help families prepare for their children’s education or training after high school. Read more.

USA Funds to Present Second Web Forum in Graduate and Professional School Series
USA Funds University is offering a second Web forum in a series targeted specifically to schools serving graduate and professional students. Learn more.

Support Fuels Minority Student Success
Using United Negro College Fund scholarships, supported by grants from USA Funds, and a student loan guaranteed by USA Funds, an Indianapolis man received a degree in business administration and accounting from Rust College. He now is giving back to the organization that made his college education possible through his employer’s donation of accounting services to UNCF fund-raising events. Read more.

Washington Report

Student Aid Provisions Remain in Compromise Senate Stimulus Bill
Provisions to increase funding for key components of federal student aid programs remain in a compromise economic stimulus bill unveiled in the U.S. Senate last Friday. Learn more.

Operations Bulletin

Summary of Military/Veteran’s Provisions Updated
USA Funds has updated its summary of new student aid and student loan provisions for service members and veterans based on recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. The summary is among the resources USA Funds offers in its Reauthorization section for financial aid professionals and education lenders.

Department Announces FSA Handbook With 'Active' Index
The U.S. Department of Education announced that the 2008-2009 Federal Student Aid Handbook is available with an index that has active links taking the reader directly to the cited pages in the handbook. You will need Adobe Reader to access the publication.

Customer Service Numbers Listed for Loans Purchased by Department
The U.S. Department of Education issued an announcement listing customer service telephone numbers for those with questions about Federal Family Education Loan Program loans that the Department has purchased through its loan purchase programs. The Department also notes that it plans to provide schools with additional information about the purchase programs in the near future.