Training Materials for State and Regional Associations Focus on Direct Loan Administration
Abstract:
NASFAA's 2012 Annual State and Regional Training Materials, Direct Loans, the Rest of the Story, offer an interesting and insightful look at the back end processes associated with the Federal Direct Loan program. These topics may not automatically stir excitement in your heart. I can relate. However, while working with colleagues to develop these materials, I found myself intrigued by nuances I was not aware of before.
See the rest of the article using this link: http://www.nasfaa.org
How Tough Love Can Ensure the Future of Pell Grants (Commentary)
If you wish to read about commentary regarding Pell Grants from a leading independent higher education policy analyst, visit http://chronicle.com/article/Tough-Love-to-Ensure-the/135518. There are some interesting and very strong viewpoints concerning the program.
Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, more people kill themselves than are killed by others each year. It is a serious public health problem.
Most people who kill themselves are depressed, have a mental illness or have a problem with drugs or alcohol. Difficult life situations increase the chance of suicide, but almost always this is in combination with other factors, such as depression.
Warning Signs of Suicide When someone says he or she feels like committing suicide, take the comment seriously. Listen carefully to what the person is saying, and get the person to a doctor or counselor for treatment. Other warning signs may be: • A previous suicide attempt • Threats such as "I'd be better off dead" or "You won't miss me" • Talk about feeling hopeless • Depression • Changes in personality • Dangerous or risky behavior • Giving away things the person cares about • A sense that there is no future How you can help: • Talk to the person calmly. Don't be judgmental, no matter what the person says. • Listen. If there is a specific plan for suicide, it's a sign that he or she may be close to attempting it. • Don't try to be a counselor. Just be a friend. • Remove anything that might be used in a suicide, such as guns or drugs. • Keep the person away from drugs and alcohol. Don't try to handle this alone. You can be the most help by getting the person to a trained professional. Call a mental health clinic or a licensed mental health professional in your area. Tell them you need help for a person who is thinking about suicide. If you need help locating a professional, call CBA at 800-868-1032 for referrals to someone in your area.
Don't leave the person alone. In an emergency, call 911 or a 24-hour suicide crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255). You can also get help at the nearest hospital emergency room (ER).
Many suicides are preventable. Knowing the signs and how to help could save the life of someone you know or love.
4 Ways to Lower Your Cohort Default Rate - From Stephanie Mackeprang
The headlines are everywhere: “Cohort Default Rates Rise for Sixth Year.” Although it comes as no surprise to administrators and industry experts, the rising default rate adds another burden to already taxed financial aid offices. Now that the rates are out and published, what can schools do now to curb future rates? No matter if your school’s rate is rising or maintaining, these four tactics will make a positive impact on your future default rate.
Track Your Rate Year Round Upload your School Portfolio report to the Cohort Activity Report system, a free service provided by Inceptia, to receive current data on open cohort default years and monitor borrowers in repayment and default. This report will also show the impact one default borrower has on your rate and the number of borrowers needing rescue to impact your rate by one percent.
Conduct Analytics Gathering data on student population trends can help schools understand the default characteristics of students. Trend analysis identifies borrowers in jeopardy so schools can focus on meeting the financial education needs of the students that need it the most.
Promote Financial Education Financial education is the best way to impact future default rates. The more students know about budgeting, borrowing and credit cards the less likely they will default on their loans. Whether your school hires an outside vendor or uses internal staff, be sure your students are being taught by a certified personal financial manager (CPFM) and have access to online resources.
Contact Student Borrowers One-on-one counseling will help delinquent borrowers get back on track. Through grace counseling or default prevention outreach, a direct connection can make a huge impact on students’ lives. Before you reach out to borrowers, you will need a contact strategy—letters, emails, phone calls or a combination of all three. Once the contact method has been determined, you will want to ensure you are complying with the Fair Debt Practices Collection Act (FDPCA) for your own protection. Read Contacting Student Borrowers for more tips.
Although not much can be done about the FY 2010 3-year and FY 2011 2-year cohort default rates now, there are steps you can take today that will impact future rates. Be sure to take advantage of Inceptia’s free Cohort Activity Report. For more information on how analytics, financial education and default prevention outreach can lower your cohort default rate, contact Inceptia at 888.529.2028 or inceptiacs@inceptia.org.
Default Rate on Federal Student Loans Rises Again
ReplyDeleteRead the article from The Chronicle using the link below:
http://chronicle.com/article/Default-Rate-on-Federal/134786/
Submitted by: Chris Davidson
Training Materials for State and Regional Associations Focus on Direct Loan Administration
ReplyDeleteAbstract:
NASFAA's 2012 Annual State and Regional Training Materials, Direct Loans, the Rest of the Story, offer an interesting and insightful look at the back end processes associated with the Federal Direct Loan program. These topics may not automatically stir excitement in your heart. I can relate. However, while working with colleagues to develop these materials, I found myself intrigued by nuances I was not aware of before.
See the rest of the article using this link: http://www.nasfaa.org
Student's Debt Loads Increase Again
ReplyDeleteInside Higher Ed
Annual report from the Institute for College Access and Success finds students borrow an average of $26,600.
Read more by visiting this website, http://www.insidehighered.com/news/focus/student-aid-and-loans.
How Tough Love Can Ensure the Future of Pell Grants (Commentary)
ReplyDeleteIf you wish to read about commentary regarding Pell Grants from a leading independent higher education policy analyst, visit http://chronicle.com/article/Tough-Love-to-Ensure-the/135518. There are some interesting and very strong viewpoints concerning the program.
In Federal Financial Aid Reform, Students Want Their Voices Heard
ReplyDeleteClick the link below to read this article:
http://chronicle.com/article/In-Federal-Financial-Aid/135788/
Submitted by: Chris Davidson
Click the link below to read an interesting article about the soaring increase in student loan debt.
ReplyDeleteBankruptcy, Not Forgiveness, for Student Loans
http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2012/12/07/encourage-bankruptcy-not-forgiveness-student-loans-essay
Submitted by: Chris Davidson, SCASFAA Communications Committee
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
ReplyDeleteSuicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, more people kill themselves than are killed by others each year. It is a serious public health problem.
Most people who kill themselves are depressed, have a mental illness or have a problem with drugs or alcohol. Difficult life situations increase the chance of suicide, but almost always this is in combination with other factors, such as depression.
Warning Signs of Suicide
When someone says he or she feels like committing suicide, take the comment seriously. Listen carefully to what the person is saying, and get the person to a doctor or counselor for treatment. Other warning signs may be:
• A previous suicide attempt
• Threats such as "I'd be better off dead" or "You won't miss me"
• Talk about feeling hopeless
• Depression
• Changes in personality
• Dangerous or risky behavior
• Giving away things the person cares about
• A sense that there is no future
How you can help:
• Talk to the person calmly. Don't be judgmental, no matter what the person says.
• Listen. If there is a specific plan for suicide, it's a sign that he or she may be close to attempting it.
• Don't try to be a counselor. Just be a friend.
• Remove anything that might be used in a suicide, such as guns or drugs.
• Keep the person away from drugs and alcohol.
Don't try to handle this alone. You can be the most help by getting the person to a trained professional. Call a mental health clinic or a licensed mental health professional in your area. Tell them you need help for a person who is thinking about suicide. If you need help locating a professional, call CBA at 800-868-1032 for referrals to someone in your area.
Don't leave the person alone. In an emergency, call 911 or a 24-hour suicide crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255). You can also get help at the nearest hospital emergency room (ER).
Many suicides are preventable. Knowing the signs and how to help could save the life of someone you know or love.
________________________________________
4 Ways to Lower Your Cohort Default Rate - From Stephanie Mackeprang
ReplyDeleteThe headlines are everywhere: “Cohort Default Rates Rise for Sixth Year.” Although it comes as no surprise to administrators and industry experts, the rising default rate adds another burden to already taxed financial aid offices.
Now that the rates are out and published, what can schools do now to curb future rates? No matter if your school’s rate is rising or maintaining, these four tactics will make a positive impact on your future default rate.
Track Your Rate Year Round
Upload your School Portfolio report to the Cohort Activity Report system, a free service provided by Inceptia, to receive current data on open cohort default years and monitor borrowers in repayment and default. This report will also show the impact one default borrower has on your rate and the number of borrowers needing rescue to impact your rate by one percent.
Conduct Analytics
Gathering data on student population trends can help schools understand the default characteristics of students. Trend analysis identifies borrowers in jeopardy so schools can focus on meeting the financial education needs of the students that need it the most.
Promote Financial Education
Financial education is the best way to impact future default rates. The more students know about budgeting, borrowing and credit cards the less likely they will default on their loans. Whether your school hires an outside vendor or uses internal staff, be sure your students are being taught by a certified personal financial manager (CPFM) and have access to online resources.
Contact Student Borrowers
One-on-one counseling will help delinquent borrowers get back on track. Through grace counseling or default prevention outreach, a direct connection can make a huge impact on students’ lives. Before you reach out to borrowers, you will need a contact strategy—letters, emails, phone calls or a combination of all three. Once the contact method has been determined, you will want to ensure you are complying with the Fair Debt Practices Collection Act (FDPCA) for your own protection. Read Contacting Student Borrowers for more tips.
Although not much can be done about the FY 2010 3-year and FY 2011 2-year cohort default rates now, there are steps you can take today that will impact future rates. Be sure to take advantage of Inceptia’s free Cohort Activity Report. For more information on how analytics, financial education and default prevention outreach can lower your cohort default rate, contact Inceptia at 888.529.2028 or inceptiacs@inceptia.org.
“Lawsuit questions residency status of SC students whose parents aren’t legal citizens.”
ReplyDeletehttp://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150609/PC16/150609317/class-action-lawsuit-claims-public-colleges-discriminate-against-children-of-undocumented-immigrants