USA Funds^® University’s winter financial aid webcasts provide a basic understanding of the fundamentals of financial aid. Winter webcasts are designed for both new and experienced financial aid professionals.
 
Webcasts are scheduled from 2-3 p.m. Eastern time on the dates listed below and will cover the following topics:

• Dec. 8 — Types and Sources of Financial Aid
• Dec. 9 — General Eligibility Requirements
• Dec. 10 — Citizenship 
• Dec. 15 — Federal Delivery System
• Dec. 17 — Do It Yourself EFC Calculations
• Dec. 22 — Need Analysis Overview/Budget Construction
• Dec. 23 — Awarding and Award Notification
• Dec. 29 — Overawards and Overpayments
• Jan. 5 — Conflicting Information
• Jan. 6 — Federal Verification by the Numbers
• Jan. 7 — Tax Filing Requirements
• Jan. 12 — Cash Management Regulations
• Jan. 13 — FFELP: The Basics
• Jan. 14 — FFELP: Beyond the Basics
• Jan. 19 — FFELP Repayment Relief
• Jan. 21 — Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Jan. 26 — Professional Judgment
• Jan. 28 — Return of Title IV Funds
• Feb. 9 — Policies and Procedures 
• Feb. 11 — Common Audit Findings
• Feb. 16 — Consumer Information
• Feb. 18 — Identity Theft
• Feb. 23 — Veterans Educational Benefits
• Feb. 25 — FERPA

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.

Conflicting information. A student submits a tax return to the financial aid office, but is not selected for verification. The Veterans Affairs official responsible for certification at the school is notified that a student’s benefit amount is changing. The public relations office receives a list of scholarship recipients. All of these scenarios could present conflicting information that must be resolved. Resolving conflicting information involves the institution as a whole, not just the financial aid office. Examples, case studies and discussion items will help you identify the sources of conflicting information and resolve conflicts in an appropriate timeframe.

Consumer Information. With today’s economy, students are carefully considering where to spend their tuition dollars. Learn what consumer information Title IV eligible schools must provide to help students answer the question, “What will my dollar buy me?”

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.

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 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. Review the requirements, determine the difference between verification and conflicting information, and examine 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. 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. Review when to prorate loans based on programs of study and learn the difference between scheduled and borrower-based academic years.

FFELP Repayment Relief. Student loan borrowers may be able to postpone payments during times when they are having difficulty making payments. In certain circumstances, loans may be canceled altogether. Learn the qualifications for these options and the differences between deferments, forbearances and loan cancellation.

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.

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.

Need Analysis Overview/Budget Construction. 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. Gain an understanding of the difference between overawards and overpayments — and how to resolve them.

Policies and Procedures. Writing policies and procedures can be a piece of cake if you have the right ingredients. Learn how to select the best templates, how others on campus can help, and what resources you likely already have. Focus on how to address the common barriers that prevent offices from completing this task.

Professional Judgment. Find out what you can and cannot do through PJ and see some common documentation requirements. Apply your knowledge through engaging case studies.

Return of Title IV Funds. A return of Title IV funds calculation determines the amount of aid a student earned when completely withdrawing from all classes and any federal funds that must be returned by the school or student. Learn the various components of the Return of Title IV funds calculation and how to apply them through a hands-on case study.

Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students may understand a school’s qualitative and quantitative standards for SAP. Learn there’s more to measuring a student’s SAP.

Tax Filing Requirements. A financial aid administrator must know about several topics related to Internal Revenue Service tax filing requirements. Build a solid understanding of the requirements through a review of basic elements and several case studies.

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 and enhance your knowledge of the HEROES Act.