USA Funds Offers Spring Financial-Aid Workshops

USA Funds^®’ Spring-2007 Financial-Aid Workshop series begins in April at 63 locations across the nation. The free workshops offer the latest information to help financial-aid professionals administer federal student loans and other financial-aid programs.

Workshop topics for the spring-2007 series include:

The role of student-loan guarantors. This session focuses on the role of the guarantor within the Federal Family Education Loan Program and explores the connection between key FFELP partners and the guarantor. Participants will gain a better understanding of the role that guarantors play in the FFELP process.

Federal update. With the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005, the election of a new Congress and reauthorization, there are many changes taking place in financial aid. This session discusses the changes and answers questions you may have.

Overview of federal verification and taxes. This overview provides insight about information collected on the FAFSA worksheets A, B and C, such as families’ untaxed income and benefits. The session also provides reference information about verification requirements and policies. Some topics include required verification items, tolerance and documentation requirements.

How are financial-aid laws and regulations made? Review how financial-aid rules are produced, the difference between legislation and regulations, and how they come about. The session will provide answers to questions including the following: What is an NPRM, and how does it differ from a final regulation? What is a Dear Colleague Letter and is it different from a Dear Partner letter? How seriously should you take an Interim Final Regulation?

USA Funds advantage. Gain insight into USA Funds products and services that deliver added value to you and your institution. This session highlights 2Futuro, information about the federal default fee, the College Access Initiative, as well as USA Funds University training opportunities.

Consumer information. Schools participating in the Title-IV program are required to disclose specific information to current and prospective students and staff. The Department of Education stresses the importance of providing students with reliable information regarding a school’s academic programs, facilities and financial-aid programs. Learn to identify categories of information that your school must provide and the different methods of disseminating the information. Also learn how to identify the required information, reports and deadlines.

Citizenship. In addition to all other general eligibility requirements, a student must be a citizen or eligible noncitizen to receive assistance from the federal student-aid program. This session covers citizenship requirements and issues surrounding documenting students’ citizenship for Title-IV financial-aid purposes.

Register for a workshop at a location and date convenient for you. Registration and a continental breakfast begin at 8 a.m. The workshop begins at 8:30 a.m. and adjourns at approximately 12:30 p.m.