USA Funds^® University’s fall workshop webcast series delivers the same valuable information from the fall in-person workshops in an online format. Webcasts will help you learn about current and past legislation and regulations, options for professional judgment and follow the life cycle of a Stafford loan.
 
Webcasts are scheduled from 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern time on the dates listed below and will cover the following topics:

• Nov. 10 — Federal Update.
• Nov. 12 — Life Cycle of a Stafford Loan.
• Nov. 18 — Federal Update.
• Dec. 1 — Professional Judgment in Today’s Economy.
• Dec. 3 — Federal Update.
  

Federal Update
Current Legislation. The financial aid landscape has been re-shaped by new legislation and regulations over the past several years, with the promise of more transformation still to come. Learn about the latest changes in Title IV aid administration resulting from recent activity:

• Technical Corrections to the Higher Education Act, including clarification of the rules for awarding federal grants to surviving relatives of those who died while performing military duty in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, changes in veterans education benefits, modified rules related to rehabilitation of defaulted loans, and the delayed implementation of the "EZ FAFSA."
• Budget reconciliation proposals to expand the Federal Pell Grant program and restructure the Federal Perkins and Federal Family Education Loan programs.
• Negotiated rulemaking for loans, accreditation, discretionary grants and general issues, as well as the latest round of negotiations related to maintaining and improving Title IV aid program integrity.

Previous Legislation. Hear a summary of past legislation, regulations and updates. Together, we will glance at where we’ve been, review where we are now and look to where we’re headed.

Significant Increases in Veterans Benefits. As thousands of troops return home, they likely will be taking advantage of the significant resources available to them and their families. Join us as we explore the aid-related provisions of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the new grant for qualifying non-Pell Grant eligible students, a comparison to other educational benefit programs for military service, the latest guidance on the transferability of benefits, and the treatment of veterans benefits for Title IV purposes.

Federal Delivery System Update. As ED implements changes to the Higher Education Act, the evolution of the delivery system continues. What are the new FAFSA filing options and how do they work? What questions have been added, deleted, changed or moved? What about IRS data sharing? We’ll discuss all this and more and share key dates and processing tips.

Attendees also will receive a resource that outlines how bills become law, how regulations are finalized, and how the budget and appropriations processes can change laws or how they are implemented.

Life Cycle of a Stafford Loan. Federal Stafford loans have become a staple of financial aid packages for students across the country. Stafford loan borrowers will deal with their education loan debt not only during their time of enrollment, but also for years — and, in some cases, decades — afterwards. Follow one student’s Stafford loan cycle from determining eligibility to repayment, including annual and aggregate loan limits and cash management provisions.

Professional Judgment in Today’s Economy. Foreclosures, pink slips, factories closing and the self-employed losing their businesses are realities families currently are facing. Congress gives aid administrators the authority to make changes that more accurately reflect a student’s unique circumstances. Through case studies and discussion, examine the types of adjustments that may be made and review ED’s latest guidance related to exercising professional judgment.