USA Funds Update

USA Funds Offers New Resources on Higher Education Opportunity Act
USA Funds^® has posted to its Web site new resources to help schools and lenders comply with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. Read more.

Washington Report

Extra Pell Grant Funds Included in Stopgap Funding Measure
A stopgap federal funding bill contains an extra $2.5 billion for Pell Grants.
Learn more.

Tech Talk

OpenNet Preapproval Option Offers More Flexible PLUS Loan Process
OpenNet’s preapproval option allows schools or lenders to bypass the login screen, and send borrowers directly to OpenNet Web Loan Delivery to perform a PLUS loan prequalification. Read more.

School Identifiers to Be Removed From OpenNet Oct. 10
To ensure compliance with recently enacted federal reauthorization legislation, school identifiers will be removed from OpenNet pages, effective Oct. 10.
Learn more.

Operations Bulletin

Department Posts Loan Purchase and Participation Presentation
The U.S. Department of Education has posted its Sept. 26 presentation about its loan purchase and participation programs. The webcast covers operational details of both programs, including the format for final loan schedule-loan detail, post-sale adjustments and audit procedures.

Debt-Management Perspectives

Give Your Students a Financial Fitness Test
Carol Buchli, a USA Funds debt management consultant, shares how to help students make “financially fit” spending decisions.
Read more.

Access to Education

Oct. 17 Webcast to Highlight Benefits of FFELP
America’s Student Loan Providers will host a webcast for financial aid administrators to highlight the benefits of the Federal Family Education Loan Program. The program is scheduled for 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time Oct. 17. Additional details will be forthcoming.