Each conference day will begin with a General Session.

GENERAL SESSIONS

COMMON INTEREST SESSIONS

A Hands-on Tour of Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) on the Web (Hands On Session)
After a student withdraws from attendance, how do you calculate the amount of aid that the student keeps, the amount to return to the student and the school for each program? Have you been using the calculation worksheets because you are unfamiliar with R2T4 on the Web?

TEACH Grants Policy Update
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act authorized the TEACH Grant program which became operational on July 1, 2008. At this session, the regulations for this new program will be discussed along with the changes made by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.

TEACH Operational and Processing Information-Part One (COD)
Looking for information about TEACH grants? In the first of a two-part session, learn how the new TEACH grants will be processed in the COD system, as well as an operational look at how Federal Student Aid supports the TEACH Grant Program.

TEACH Operational and Processing Information-Part Two (Servicing)
Looking for information about TEACH grants? In the second of a two-part session, learn how the new TEACH grant will be processed in the Direct Loan Servicing System and how Federal Student Aid will administer the TEACH grant should it become an unsubsidized Direct Loan.

FAA Access to CPS Online for New Users (Hands-On)
Come join us for an FAA Access to CPS Online hands-on session! Whether you consider yourself an expert user or you are new to administering financial aid, this hands-on session will provide you with the training information you need to effectively use FAA Access to CPS Online at your campus. Use this opportunity to walk through the Web-based application and get your questions answered by our experts! We will provide a broad overview of FAA Access to CPS Online and then walk through the updates we have made for 2009-10. Finally, we will give all participants time to "play" with the application. Enter student records, make corrections, use the Verification Tool, submit a dependency override or professional judgment - whatever users want to do. We look forward to seeing you!

Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008: An Update
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 makes a numerous changes to the Federal student aid programs. At this session, we will present information on several of the more challenging provisions and engage in a discussion with participants about how these provisions could be most appropriately implemented by the Department and institutions.

HEA Changes on Perkins & Work Study
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 makes a number of changes to the campus-based programs. At this session, we will provide specific information about those changes and how the changes will affect your institution's FSEOG, FWS and Perkins Loan programs. Recent regulatory changes will also be discussed.

Look what we have done to the Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) Web Site
Learn about the latest changes and features in the new redesigned IFAP Web site. See how to navigate tools featured on the online library. Discover where to find the answers and resources you need.

Working with Veterans Affairs to Help Students
This session will provide information about how veterans education benefits and the payment rules apply to your students. This session will also identify the various benefits and regulations as well as discuss how, if at all, the receipt of each type of veterans education benefit impacts a student's eligibility for Federal Student Aid.

Test Drive the ISIR Analysis Tool and Improve Verification (Hands-On)
In this hands-on session, participants test drive the ISIR Analysis Tool demonstration site to learn how to run reports. Participants complete exercises to demonstrate the analytical capabilities of the ISIR Analysis Tool and the potential for improved verification performance and efficiency.

Operational Update for Pell Grants, ACG and National SMART
This session focuses on the upcoming Common Origination and Disbursement System changes to ACG and National SMART grants, as a result of the enactment of the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (ECSALA), as well as what is ahead in 2009-10 for all of the grant programs (TEACH will be addressed in a separate session).

Title IV Funding to Schools: From COD through G5 (For Pell Grants, ACG and National SMART Grants)
This session will cover funding functionality in COD and G5 from a Grants perspective. We will discuss basic cash management rules, drawdown substantiation and reconciliation. Learn how to request and return funds via G5.

Requirements for Federal Grant Programs: Pell, ACG and National SMART
At this session, we will provide information on the regulatory and statutory framework for awarding ACG and National SMART Grants for the 2008-2009 award year. We will also provide information on the regulatory and statutory framework for awarding Pell Grants as well ACG and National SMART Grants for the 2009-2010 award year and beyond. In both instances, particular attention will be paid to recent statutory and regulatory changes as they relate to these programs including academic year definition, rigorous secondary school program of study, grade point average, previous enrollment in postsecondary education, and academic major.

Write, Implement, and Own it, the Making of a Policies and Procedures Manual
In this session participants will learn how to use the FSA Assessments to assist in the development of a Polices and Procedures Manual. Participants will learn how to utilize templates provided to address required components outlined in Title IV regulation and law. Schools can learn to develop procedures from scratch or "polish up what's already developed.

EDExpress Update: 2008-09 and 2009-10
This session is of interest to EDExpress users who want to learn about the 2009-10 software changes. We will also discuss changes in the upcoming releases of the 2008-09 software and the EDExpress functionality that is available to process TEACH grants. Do you represent a newly enrolled Direct Loan school that is considering using EDExpress to process Direct Loans? Come join us to learn about some helpful hints, tips, tools and resources to assist you.

CPS Process, Data Matches and Processing Changes
Learn more about how the CPS works and how it generates processing results. Find out why the Database Matches are performed and get assistance on distinguishing why the "C" code is generated and how to resolve it. In addition, learn more about new processing changes for 2009-10.

NSLDS Aggregate Calculations
Bring your pencil and your calculator to this "old- fashioned" hand calculation course on calculating aggregate loan limits for your borrowers.

NSLDS Enrollment Reporting
This session will provide an in-depth look at enrollment reporting requirements and the processes and tools available within the NSLDS to manage Enrollment Data.

NSLDS Update
This session will cover the changes that NSLDS is implementing in 2008 to include new loan limits, new web security reports, changes for the 09/10 processing cycle, as well as changes anticipated in the near future.

NSLDS Website Hands-On
This session will explore the various online features of the NSLDS to include loan and grant history, transfer monitoring, overpayment reporting, web reports, and much more functional information!

Promote Student Success, Manage Delinquency and Prevent Defaults
Students are accumulating more loan debt, frequently combining Stafford and private loans to underwrite educational expenses. Helping student borrowers to avoid loan default and ensuring continued access to loan capital have become signature issues for schools across the country. By utilizing a combination of traditional and non-traditional strategies you can protect your students and your school from the risks associated with student loan default. Learn the easy, high-return techniques employed by FFEL and DL schools to assist delinquent borrowers. Leverage existing efforts to improve student success and retention to reduce your risk.

IThe Student Loan Ombudsman Caucus: Solutions for Loan Problems & Issues
Learn how the Student Loan Ombudsman Caucus leverages the Ombudsman network to: provide student loan problem resolution and mentoring; identify trends and potential systemic issues; support positive change through information sharing and best practices; and serve as a voice for fair process throughout the student loan life cycle. Find out how this network can assist students and financial aid professionals with hard-to-resolve student financial aid issues.

COD Web Hands On (Hands On Session)
The Grant Session: In this session, attendees will become familiar with using the COD Web site for the Grant programs, particularly Pell, ACG, and National SMART. Learn about the tools available to resolve processing issues, compare COD and G5 data, access COD reports-all with an end goal to streamline and improve processing. Having trouble accessing COD reports? Want to see how you can resolve those pesky COD reject edits or a POP situation? Bring your active COD User ID and Logon, some problematic data, and the desire to learn and we'll show you the tricks or the trade to help you progress from a casual user of the COD Web site to the office "Pro." (Note: this session will also cover some high-level information about the TEACH Grant and the Agreement to Serve).

Working Together to Achieve our Goal: National Training for Counselors and Mentors
Learn about the FSA, NASFAA, and NCHELP collaborative effort to provide consistent and accurate financial aid training to high school guidance counselors and mentors who help students and families financially prepare for postsecondary education. Launched in 2007, National Training for Counselors and Mentors (NT4CM) encourages state financial aid associations and guaranty agencies to partner to provide workshops in their states with support from the national steering committee. The presenters will discuss what has been learned from the first year of implementation, program progress, and enhancements for the second year of the program. Come and hear why the program needs your help in order to succeed: work to support your state’s effort, help train high school counselors and college access staff in your local community. The session will include details regarding the expansion of the NT4CM Steering Committee to include the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) and the roles that the partners play to support the success of the training. There will be opportunity for discussion and input into the future direction for NT4CM.

Return of Title IV Aid -- Compliance Issues and their Resolution
This session will review the regulations that govern the Return of Title IV Aid funds. In particular, Federal Student Aid policy personnel will highlight and answer questions about the rules that auditors and program reviewers have discovered as most problematic.

Regulations and Legislative Update for the Loans Programs
This policy update focuses on lender and guaranty issues including a review of the recently concluded negotiated rulemaking process, an update and discussion of possible Budget Reconciliation and Higher Education Reauthorization changes, and any other sub-regulatory guidance affecting them, excluding Consolidation and NSLDS issues.

Keeping Your School's Participation Current: Everything you need to know about adding new programs and locations, and reporting critical information about your school.
Learn about how and when to update your school's participation in the Title IV programs by adding new programs and locations, and reporting other information to the Department such as new officials and ownership.

Program Compliance 101- An Inside Look at the Operations of the School Participation Teams
Learn about the core business processes of the School Participation Teams (eligibility, audit, financial, and program review) and how the Teams monitor participating institutions, including the resolution of common compliance problems.

Top Ten Audit and Program Review Findings and How to Identify Them
This session will provide information about the top 10 findings that are most frequently identified in audits and program reviews, and how to identify them.

Campus-Based Allocation Formula
At this session, we will explain the campus-based programs institutional allocation formula, and discuss potential legislative changes and describe upcoming FISAP form changes that would better target program funds to needy students.

SAIG Mailbox Tools: EDconnect/TDCM (Hands On Session)
A hands-on session of the SAIG Mailbox Tools includes the EDconnect Windows software and the Transmission Delivery Community Manager (TDCM) Web tool. This session will be the new upgrade to EDconnect and provide hands-on training for beginner to intermediate users.

Professional Judgment
At this session, professional judgement and dependency overrides will be discussed.

Changes to General Provisions Rules
The Nov. 1, 2007 (PART III) Federal Register contains changes to the General Provisions, as well as some related changes in the Title IV grant and loan programs. We will discuss a number of issues from that package, including the effort to align disbursements (by payment periods) for the grant and loan programs, changes in the return of Title IV funds calculation, cash management (including electronic disbursements, the recovery of unclaimed Title IV funds, and the prohibition on paying for prior-year charges), the minimum period for certifying a loan, progression to the next annual loan limit, and (formula 4) Pell Grant calculations.

HBCU Open Forum
CFederal Student Aid’s Special Initiatives team invites you to this session to share your best practices with other like schools. In addition, participants will share mutual concerns. The team will listen to your concerns and work toward making your job easier. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide input into proposed training/technical assistance needs.

HSI Open Forum
Federal Student Aid’s Special Initiatives team invites you to this session to share your best practices with other like schools. In addition, participants will share mutual concerns. The team will listen to your concerns and work toward making your job easier. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide input into proposed training/technical assistance needs.

Tribal College Open Forum
Federal Student Aid’s Special Initiatives team invites you to this session to share your best practices with other like schools. In addition, participants will share mutual concerns. The team will listen to your concerns and work toward making your job easier. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide input into proposed training/technical assistance needs.

Birds of a Feather Sessions
These sessions are geared toward similar types of schools joining with their peers to discuss and share ideas and concerns amongst themselves. These sessions will be led by peers and will provide participants with an opportunity to openly discuss issues and ideas with each other. Any issues or items of concern resulting from these sessions will be forwarded to ED staff for consideration.

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