Convenient Webcast Training
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. These sessions, designed for new financial-aid administrators, as well as experienced financial-aid professionals, provide a basic understanding of the fundamentals of student financial aid.

Upcoming Training Topics and Dates
(All times are Eastern Time)

Acronyms and abbreviations.
Dec. 11, 2007, 2 – 3 p.m.
During the course of the day, financial-aid administrators use a host of acronyms and abbreviations. USA Funds has developed a directory of those most commonly used within the financial-aid community and their meaning.

Awarding and award notification.
Jan. 3, 2008, 2 – 3 p.m.
Federal regulations require a school to have written policies and procedures for awarding all available aid. In this session, you learn the general principles for awarding federal aid and get information regarding basic packaging modules.

Budget construction and financial need.
Dec. 20, 2007, 2 – 3 p.m.
This session provides the information you need to take into consideration when constructing budgets to award financial aid. Budget-construction case studies also will be discussed.

Delivering successful presentations.
Feb. 13, 2008, 2 – 3 p.m.
Learn to design effective presentations, from preparation to the key ingredients of great presentations. Topics include how to arrange a room, interaction with an audience and tips for building rapport.

Effective workplace communications.
Jan. 23, 2008, 2 – 3 p.m.
This session addresses communication among co-workers and customers. Presenters review guidelines for effective communication and the necessary characteristics in all conversations for saving time and confusion.

E-mail etiquette.
Jan. 30, 2008, 2 – 3 p.m.
This session will help you understand electronic-communication issues and etiquette including tips for more successful interactions promoting efficiency and confidentiality.

FAFSA and renewal FAFSA.
Dec. 13, 2007, 2 – 3 p.m.
Financial-aid administrators need to be familiar with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and renewal FAFSA. This session outlines general information about each application, including an interactive case-study review of the FAFSA.

Federal delivery system.
Dec. 12, 2007, 2 – 3 p.m.
Have students ever asked you what happens to their Free Applications for Federal Student Aid once they are sent to the U.S. Department of Education? This session reviews the step-by-step application process, and gives you a detailed look at the methods families can use to apply for financial aid. In addition, you’ll review what happens with the information that applicants provide on the FAFSA.

Federal methodology calculations.
Jan. 2, 2008, 2 – 3 p.m.
Part F of the Higher Education Act, as amended, specifies the criteria, calculations and tables that are used in the computation of the Expected Family Contribution. This session covers the elements used in federal methodology, how these elements are used and how changing the elements affects the computation of EFC.

Federal update.
Nov. 27, 2007,  2 – 3 p.m.
What do the changes in budget reconcilia