Debt-Management Perspectives

Go Beyond Regulatory Requirements in Default-Prevention Planning
The ideal default-prevention/debt-management plan should do more than just meet federal regulatory requirements. Steve Wood, a USA Funds^® national debt-management consultant, offers suggestions for programs and services to include in a successful plan.
Read more.

Estimate Borrower Savings From Your Cohort-Default-Rate Improvement
Financial-aid professionals who have helped their institutions achieve a reduction in their 2005 cohort-default rates should advise important campus constituencies — including administration, governing boards, students and parents, and alumni — of their success. USA Funds can help. Learn more.

USA Funds Update

USA Funds Helps Indiana Students Discover What’s ‘Next’
High-school juniors and seniors across Indiana received copies of a USA Funds-sponsored college-planning magazine last week. The 2007-2008 edition of Next Indiana: A Guide to Life After High School marks USA Funds’ sixth-consecutive year as its corporate sponsor. The magazine provides information about the options available to students after high school, and about topics such as handling finances and choosing a career. Read more.

Indianapolis-Area Girls Preparing for College, Careers, With Help From USA Funds
Thanks to a recent grant from USA Funds, 400 central-Indiana girls are learning more about college and career options through Girls Incorporated of Indianapolis. Read more.

Operations Bulletin

USA Funds Offers Summary of College Cost Reduction and Access Act
USA Funds policy staff has developed a table that summarizes the Federal Family Education Loan Program provisions of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. The table is the latest feature in the Reauthorization section of the USA Funds Web site. You can access the table using Adobe Reader.

Reminder: Use New Consolidation Application Oct. 1
USA Funds’ policy staff reminds lenders that they must provide only the new version of the Federal Consolidation Loan Application and Promissory Note to borrowers beginning Oct. 1. Read more.

Washington Report

Congress to Act on HEROES Waivers
The U.S. Congress is expected to act this week to extend the authority for the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act. The HEROES Act permits the U.S. secretary of education to excuse military personnel from their federal student-loan obligations while they serve on active duty. Learn more.