As part of USA Funds^®’ commitment to promoting the success of financial aid professionals through innovative programs, USA Funds University offers, at no cost, a series of webcast training sessions. Designed for both new and experienced financial aid professionals, these sessions provide a basic understanding of the fundamentals of student financial aid.

Upcoming Training Topics

Awarding and award notification. Learn about awarding tools, resources and theories available to help you balance the art and science of awarding.

Cash management regulations. Federal regulations require schools to adhere to money management principles that help lower costs for the federal government and borrowers. Review specific requirements to follow in requesting, maintaining and disbursing funds to keep your schools eligible to participate in Title IV aid programs.

Citizenship. A student must be a citizen or an eligible noncitizen to receive aid. Learn how to handle situations in which a student’s citizenship status is not confirmed during the aid application process.

Common audit findings. Understanding common audit and program review findings can help your school identify potential problem areas and correct them before an auditor sets foot on your campus.

Do it yourself EFC calculations. A student submits a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The student receives an Expected Family Contribution figure. What happens in the steps between these two stages? Learn how to figure an EFC using federal methodology calculations.

FAFSA. The FAFSA is the first step in a student’s journey to receiving federal financial assistance. Learn about the three options for filing the FAFSA, and complete one yourself from the student’s perspective.

Federal delivery system. The processing system used to collect, analyze, correct and distribute information regarding financial aid applications uses numerous systems. Learn how the systems work together and how they can help you administer financial aid programs.

Federal Grad PLUS loans. Graduate and professional schools must have a solid understanding of the Federal Grad PLUS program. See an outline of eligibility requirements, the role of a PLUS loan endorser, loan counseling requirements, and repayment options. You also will receive a comparison of Grad PLUS and private student loans as well as tips for helping students repair adverse credit.

Federal verification by the numbers. The numerous verification requirements include the five items that require verification, the 30 percent option, a $400 tolerance, and many others. We’ll review the requirements, determine the difference between verification and conflicting information, and review some uncommon places to find assets.

FERPA. Students have the right to have their personally identifiable information kept secret. Financial aid office staff members should review the terms of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act each year, to understand what information they can disclose — and to whom. Learn how to consider these regulations when serving your students.

FFELP: The basics. Learn the basics of the largest federal financial aid program available to students. A number of players in the Federal Family Education Loan Program work together to provide funds for students. You’ll learn about these players, and about Federal Stafford, PLUS and consolidation loans.

FFELP: Beyond the basics. Once you’ve mastered the basics of the FFELP, it’s time to learn other FFELP requirements. We’ll review when to prorate loans based on programs of study and learn the difference between scheduled and borrower-based academic years.

General eligibility requirements. Students must meet certain minimum requirements to receive federal financial aid. Learn which eligibility requirements your school is responsible for confirming, and how the federal government can help you in confirming others.

Graduate/professional students: Repayment consideration. Discuss the various repayment options available to graduate and professional student-borrowers, including consolidation. We’ll also review deferments and forbearances available to borrowers who may be having difficulty making payments, and the conditions under which loans may be canceled.

Identify theft. Identity theft could affect anyone, including your students. Learn about identity theft and how to prevent it, as well as the steps to take if identity theft occurs.

IRS tax filing requirements. A financial aid administrator must know about several topics related to Internal Revenue Service tax filing requirements. Through a review of basic elements and several case studies, you’ll build a solid understanding of the requirements.

Loan counseling requirements for graduate/professional students. Loan counseling is required before students’ loans are disbursed for the first time, and again when students drop below half-time enrollment or leave school. Discover what information is required for graduate and professional student entrance and exit counseling and additional elements suggested by the U.S. Department of Education. The session concludes with a discussion of the various methods for delivering loan counseling.

Master Promissory Notes. MPNs simplify the loan process for both students and parents. Learn how to complete an MPN, and the various features the MPN can offer.

Need analysis overview/budget construction. You’ll get an overview of what comprises cost of attendance, Expected Family Contribution and need analysis formulas. Sample all three concepts through the case studies.

Overawards and overpayments. When students receive more aid than they should have received, the financial aid office must intervene. During this session, you’ll gain an understanding of the difference between overawards and overpayments — and how to resolve them.

Professional judgment. Find out what you can and cannot do through PJ, and see some common documentation requirements. We’ll also apply your knowledge through engaging case studies.

Return of Title IV funds. Return of Title IV funds calculations determine how much aid a student earned after withdrawing from school and if federal funds must be returned by the school or student. Learn the various components of the Return of Title IV funds calculation and exercise your knowledge through case studies. 

Satisfactory academic progress. Students may understand a school’s qualitative and quantitative standards for SAP. In this session, however, you’ll learn there’s more to measuring a student’s SAP.

Types and sources of financial aid. Self-help, gift, federal, state, institutional and outside aid — these are the building blocks of a financial aid award package. Gain a thorough knowledge of these forms of aid to best serve your students.

Veterans’ educational benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers numerous benefits to help your students. Learn the differences between the various chapters of the Montgomery GI Bill, and how the benefits affect financial aid eligibility. Additionally, you’ll enhance your knowledge of the HEROES Act.

All webcasts are listed as Eastern time zone.

Once you’ve registered, login information and training materials will be sent the morning of the webcast to the e-mail address provided during registration.