| Welcome to the New EDFUND Link Newsletter
This is the start of a new era for EDFUND electronic communications. This is the first issue of EDFUND Link — your connection to education news.
Instead of receiving numerous e-mails from EDFUND on separate topics, we will bring you a compilation of news every two weeks.
EDFUND Link is available in HTML and text e-mail. Make sure your e-mail software is set up to view e-mails in HTML, otherwise you won't be able to experience the colors and style of a more reader-friendly version.
No matter which version you receive, text or HTML, you will also have the opportunity to view the newsletter in full, online here at http://www.edfund.org/newsletter/newsletter.html.
New! Loan Counseling for Graduate Students
EDFUND is pleased to introduce two presentations that can be added to your school's loan counseling efforts. These presentations will provide you with a helpful tool for offering dynamic workshops on your campus. Empower your financial literacy!
FSA Handbook Available
The complete 2007-08 Federal Student Aid Handbook including the Application and Verification Guide is available on "IFAP". Each volume of the 2007-08 edition contains the most current guidance related to HERA. Reading and printing the handbook requires version 4.0 or greater of the free Adobe Reader software.
The FSA Handbook is posted each year on the Web, and a print version is later mailed to all schools participating in the FSA programs. Once the handbook has been mailed, additional copies may be ordered online from the FSAPubs Web site.
Access or print the FSA Handbook
A Guidance Review - a listing of the Dear Colleague Letters (DCLs) and Electronic Announcements for August 2007 
Constitution Day - Free Posters
To supplement your Constitution Day program, EDFUND is pleased to offer student-oriented educational posters. Available in three different sizes, they can be downloaded and printed. View posters.
Washington Update
Washington Prepares for Congress' Return; Members Face a Full Calendar
Members of Congress return to Washington, DC the week of September 3, following a month-long recess and district work period. Members will face a full agenda, not the least of which will be efforts to craft a compromise on a $20 billion higher education reconciliation bill. The House and Senate education committee chairs attempted to reach agreement on the measure prior to the August break, but were unsuccessful. Staff from both sides of the aisle have been working over the past month to try to hammer out their differences and it is anticipated that Members will discuss the remaining items soon after they return. Much of the savings included in the reconciliation package are based on October 1, 2007 implementation dates; therefore, there is a great deal of pressure on Members to complete the process prior to that date.
While reconciliation will be a top priority for the education committees, reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act will compete for staff and Members' attention. Known to be a major priority for House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA), Democrats will attempt to make their mark on one of President Bush's signature legislative achievements.
Finally, adding more pressure to the September legislative calendar is the need to complete a significant number of FY08 spending measures prior to the end of the fiscal year. While the House has approved appropriations bills for all 12 sub-committees, the Senate has a great deal of catching up to do. Spending plans that are not approved by October 1 will require Congress to pass Continuing Resolutions in order to keep federal agencies running. Stay tuned for updates as this busy season progresses.
Lender Corner
Lender Services
New General Phone Number
New Number
Need a Lender Services specialist? No more dialing multiple numbers until you reach someone. Just call 916.526.8047 and the next available specialist will assist you.
Business Hours as Usual
Lender Services is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. For your convenience, a voice-mail box is available before and after hours. Leave us a message and we'll get back to you.
Alternative Contact Information
If you need to reach a specific Lender Services specialist, you can still reach them on their direct line. Additionally, the Lender Services e-mail box, LenderServices@edfund.org, is also available.
Reduce Waste!
With Electronic Reports
Advantages of Receiving Reports Electronically
Electronic reports save time and money. Lenders, servicers and schools that receive electronic reports receive the reports the day they are generated, rather than waiting for the reports to be printed, processed and mailed. Electronic reports reduce exposure to security breaches, as well as postage and disposal costs associated with paper reports.
How to Request Electronic Reports
Lenders, servicers and schools can request to receive their reports electronically by contacting Lender Services or School Services at:
Lender Services: Call 916.526.8047 or e-mail LenderServices@edfund.org
School Services: Call 1.866.222.2680 or e-mail SchoolServices@edfund.org
Simply let us know which reports to switch to electronic and we'll do the rest.
Not Utilizing a Report?
Lenders, servicers and schools that are receiving reports but not utilizing them can contact Lender Services to have the reports suppressed. You can also request a full review of the reports you receive today to assist you in evaluating your options.
'Tis the Season for College Rankings
According to this year's U.S. News & World Report college rankings, America's Best Colleges 2008, the top three colleges are, yet again:
- Princeton
- Harvard
- Yale
The top-rated public university is the University of California, Berkeley.
The rankings are compiled from a survey of peer institutions together with measures of graduation and retention rates, faculty and financial resources and alumni donations.
The Princeton Review took a different approach and surveyed only current college students for its Best 366 Colleges 2008.
Among the most notable rankings:
- Students most happy with financial aid:
1. Princeton University
2. Stanford University
3. Thomas Aquinas College
- Best career/job placement services - the University of Texas at Austin
- School with major frat and sorority scene - DePauw University
- Best party school - West Virginia University
- Most stone-cold sober school (for the 10th straight year!) - Brigham Young University (UT)
America's Best Colleges 2008 – U.S. News & World Report
Best 366 Colleges 2008 – The Princeton Review
EDFUND Ombudsman Notes
In 1997 EDFUND embraced the concept of an Ombudsman's Office built on a sound customer service philosophy. Simply, if you consistently provide accurate and complete information, combined with strong mediation and negotiation skills, customers and partners alike will respond more amicably in conflict. For over ten years, this basic principle of service has prevailed in nearly 4,000 cases where the Ombudsman's Office was asked to help resolve lingering issues.
Along the way, the staff in the Ombudsman's Office has learned a tremendous amount about the unique events that cause student financial aid to become more complex than intended. In future editions of EDFUND Link, the Ombudsman team will report on news, numbers, and points of interest that may be helpful. Find out more about EDFUND's Ombudsman.
NewSource
Did you know there's a technical school in Boston that got its start with money from Benjamin Franklin's will? September is a great month to read about it in NewSource, especially since the Constitution – which bears Mr. Franklin's signature – celebrates its anniversary on September 17. Also included this month is an overview of intriguing trends in college enrollment, and a chance to get to know some EDFUND People. Read all about it!
CMS® Connection
A bi-monthly online newsletter written for the Cohort Management System (CMS) user. In this newsletter you will find tips and techniques on reducing your school's cohort default rate using the Cohort Management System along with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. Connect now!
How Did We Do?
Please let us know how we can improve EDFUND LINK-Your Connection to Education News. Send an e-mail to EDFUND. |
