Session descriptions

Policy and regulatory update. This session reviews the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which reauthorizes portions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in conjunction with budget reconciliation. The session also will cover announcements from the U.S. Department of Education and changes in certain Internal Revenue Service definitions.

Unmet need. Due to the rising costs of postsecondary education, more students have unmet need after all financial aid has been awarded. This session reviews several options that you can discuss with students to help them bridge the gap between their financial aid and the costs of attending your institution.

Preparing for an audit. One of the best ways to ensure a smooth and successful audit is to understand what will happen during an audit and to prepare. This session will describe the steps you can take and practices you should follow to prepare for an audit.

USA Funds update. Gain insight into USA Funds' products and services that deliver added value to you and your institution. This session highlights new online-learning opportunities as well as debt-management and default-prevention tools.

Professional judgment and the EFC. Although your school does not have the authority to change the federal need-analysis formula or make direct adjustments to the EFC, you may adjust the inputs to the formula through use of professional judgment. Those changes are dictated by the impact of the special circumstances on a family’s income and assets. This  session shows how certain changes to those inputs can affect the EFC.

Dealing with challenging students and parents. The financial-aid process can be confusing and frustrating for students and parents. Occasionally, this frustration is taken out on you. This session helps you learn ways to effectively empathize and deal with challenging students and parents.

Webcast Dates

• May 30 and June 6: Policy and regulatory update and Unmet need.
• May 31 and June 7: Preparing for an audit.
• June 1 and June 8: Professional judgment and the EFC.
• June 2 and June 9: Dealing with challenging students and parents.

All Webcasts begin at 2 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time).