Tech Talk

USA Funds Offers New Online Tool for Financial-Aid Professionals
USA Funds^® has released a new online tool that links financial-aid professionals to the people and resources they need to deliver excellent service to students and their parents. Read the announcement.

USA Funds Update

USA Funds Awards $250,000 to 20 Schools to Assist Students Affected by Hurricanes
USA Funds has announced grants totaling $250,000 to 20 additional schools to help low-income students whose studies were disrupted by the major hurricanes in 2005. Learn more.

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

Calendar Helps Students and Parents Plan for College
The Maryland Higher Education Commission has developed a 16-month calendar, sponsored by USA Funds, with detailed monthly checklists to help students and their families plan for college.
Learn more.

 Profiles in Superior Customer Service: Providing Knowledgeable, Courteous Assistance
Vicki Biddle draws on her extensive knowledge of education-loan processes and regulations when assisting customers. Her outstanding service recently earned the technical analyst a USA Funds “There for You” award. Read more.

Operations Bulletin

Department Releases Clarification About Special-Allowance Guidance
On April 19, 2006, the U.S. Department of Education provided clarification to lenders regarding the billing and payment of special allowance on PLUS loans made on or after Jan. 1, 2000, and prior to July 1, 2006. The letter states that because final guidance for processing Lender’s Interest and Special Allowance Request and Report billings is pending, Federal Student Aid will process billings for the quarter ending March 31, 2006, as usual, but will omit payment for the PLUS loans affected by statutory changes. Read the details of the letter using Adobe Acrobat Reader.