Washington Report

President Signs Two Hurricane-Relief Bills for Students
Emergency legislation to help federal student-grant recipients affected by Hurricane Katrina has been signed into law. Read more.

Measures Extend Higher Education Act, HEROES Act
The U.S. House has voted to extend provisions of the Higher Education Act for three months to give lawmakers time to complete work on reauthorization. Read more.

USA Funds Update

USA Funds Expands Online Training for Financial-Aid Professionals
USA Funds has added five new courses to its online curriculum that helps train new financial-aid staff and helps experienced financial-aid administrators enhance their skills. Read the announcement or register for an online course.

USA Funds Offers Fall-2005 Financial-Aid Workshops
Financial-aid administrators can register to attend a Fall-2005 Financial-Aid Workshop. You can review the detailed agenda and register to attend the workshops through the USA Funds University Online Learning site online.

USA Funds and Starfish Initiative Help Indianapolis Students Pursue Higher Education
For the second year, USA Funds is supporting Starfish, an initiative that aims to make college-preparatory education a viable choice for more inner-city students in Indianapolis. Learn more.

Access to Education

Education Secretary Announces National Commission on Future of Higher Education
U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings has announced the formation of a national commission that will make recommendations for ensuring that the nation’s higher-education system remains the best in the world. Learn more.

Debt-Management Perspectives

Guide to Developing a Default-Management Plan
USA Funds offers tips for developing a plan for managing campus default rates. Learn more.

Operations Bulletin

Department Extends Waiver of Single-Holder Rule
The U.S. Department of Education published Dear Colleague Letter FP-05-09, extending the waiver for Federal Family Education Loan Program consolidation loans that do not comply with the Department’s interpretation of the single-holder rule. Learn more.

Frequently Asked Question: Determining Length of Grace Period for Less-Than-Half-Time Students
USA Funds’ policy department offers clarification about when repayment begins for borrowers who drop to less than half-time status during some semesters. Read more.