GSFC 411 e-newsletter [Sept. 2009]

Welcome to the Online GSFC411 Newsletter Archive
SEPTEMBER 2009 Newsletter
GAcollege411 Partner Update The latest news about the GAcollege411 website. View Update
Mark Your Calendars for GAcollege411 Training Sessions GAcollege411 website overview webinars and hands on training sessions are now available. Read Full Article
Stock Up on GSFC and GAcollege411 Publications We recently updated several of our publications for the 2009-2010 school year and they are hot off the press. Learn how you can order these brochures, flyers, posters and bookmarks. Read Full Article
Apply to College Week Coming to a School Near You Save the date for the Second Annual "Apply to College Week" that will be held on November 9-13, 2009. Read Full Article
Common Manual Now Available The 2009 updated Common Manual is now available online at GSFC and GAcollege41. Click here to view the Common Manual. Read Full Article
GSFC September Webinars GSFC has put together its September training schedule with a menu of webinar trainings that will provide you and your staff with opportunities to keep up-to-date on many financial aid topics. Read Full Article
Mapping Your Future: Schools Can Now Offer Online Financial Literacy Counseling Students can learn the difference between gross and net income, how to balance a checkbook, and the steps to financial responsibility with a new financial literacy counseling session offered by Mapping Your Future. Read Full Article
Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089

Mark Your Calendars for GAcollege411 Training Sessions
The GAcollege411 website was updated in July to include new content and features. The Client Services Staff at GSFC is offering training sessions across the state to help familiarize you with the new functionality of the website. There are a variety of hands on sessions and webinars being offered to help you take full advantage of the features of the new GAcollege411.org.
Please visit the Middle School and High School Educators link on GAcollege411 to view upcoming sessions.
If you would like a specific training session conducted at your school or if you have questions or need additional information, please contact Sarah Baumhoff at sarahb@gsfc.org or by calling 770-724-9021.
Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089

Stock Up on GSFC and GAcollege411 Publications
GSFC has updated many of its publications for the 2009-2010 academic year. Our publications feature information on the new GAcollege411 website, updates to programs and recent changes in the law. We have highlighted a few of the publications below.
Getting Ready for Life Beyond High School brochure The Getting Ready for Life Beyond High School brochure is targeted to middle school students and highlights the different opportunities available to prepare for their future.
Georgia's HOPE Program brochure The Georgia's HOPE Program brochure includes information about the HOPE Program, eligibility requirements, award limits, application process and much more.
Your Complete Guide to Financial Aid in Georgia brochure The Complete Guide to Financial Aid in Georgia brochure highlights all of the student financial aid programs available in Georgia.
GAcollege411 bookmark The GAcollege411 bookmark provides quick instructions on how to create a portfolio, use the career assessment tools, determine a plan of study, plan for college and review financial aid information.
Life After High School poster The Life After High School poster gives students information about the options for their future after high school.
To order a supply of any GSFC or GAcollege411 publication, please click here and complete the order form.
Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089

Apply to College Week Coming to a School Near You
The second annual Apply to College Week will be held November 9-13, 2009. This event, sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education, the Georgia Foundation of Independent Colleges, the Georgia Student Finance Commission, the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia, and endorsed by the Georgia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (GACRAO), has the goal of providing all Georgia high school seniors with the opportunity to apply to college using GAcollege411.org. This event focuses on providing assistance to first generation students as they navigate the college application process.
For a list of participating high schools, to volunteer to help with the event or for more information about Apply to College Week, please visit www.usg.edu/apply-to-college/.
Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089

Common Manual Now Available
The 2009 Common Manual is now available online at the GSFC website and the GAcollege411 website. Published by the National Council of Higher Education Loan Programs (NCHELP), the Common Manual is a reference guide to the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). It is intended for use by new and experienced financial aid and student loan professionals seeking answers to questions about federal regulations and guarantor policy.
Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089

GSFC September Webinar Training
GSFC has put together its September training schedule with a menu of webinar trainings that will provide you and your staff with opportunities to keep up-to-date on many financial aid topics. Make sure to take advantage of learning more about topics such as: HOPE Grant, HOPE for Private and Public Schools, Financial Aid 101, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Cohort Default Rate Appeals and Compliance Residency for Private Schools.
To register for training go to the GAcollege411.org website, click on College Administrators and click on Professional and Distance Learning Opportunities.
Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089

Mapping Your Future: Schools Can Now Offer Online Financial Literacy
Counseling
Students can learn the difference between gross and net income, how to balance a checkbook, and the steps to financial responsibility to name just some of the topics covered in a new financial literacy counseling session offered by Mapping Your Future. The session can be found with Online Student Loan Counseling (OSLC).
The financial literacy counseling session presents information in 12 steps that will help guide postsecondary school students on the path to financial success:
1. Be accountable and responsible. 2. Set and plan goals. 3. Understand your income. 4. Open a checking account. 5. Open a savings account. 6. Create a budget. 7. Borrow smart. 8. Manage your credit cards wisely. 9. Regularly review and understand your credit report. 10. Protect yourself from identity theft. 11. Understand your tax liability. 12. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
To experience financial literacy counseling from the student perspective, follow these steps:
1. Go to the Mapping Your Future home page at www.MappingYourFuture.org 2. Click the "complete Online Student Loan Counseling" link on the left side of the page 3. Select "Financial literacy counseling" (under "Other counseling) 4. Choose Texas as your state 5. Select MYF Demo School as your school
The interactive nature of the counseling session helps students retain the information by actively participating in the session. Schools are able to confirm that students have completed financial literacy counseling and it can be completed anywhere and at anytime by the student they only need access to the internet.
Postsecondary schools that have an existing OSLC account and would like to add financial literacy counseling to their participation categories should contact the customer care staff at feedback@mappingyourfuture.org. Schools that don't have an OSLC account should complete the school submission form at www.mappingyourfuture.org/oslc/schoolsignup.cfm to request participation.
In addition to offering the counseling session, Mapping Your Future has made the content available on the website as a printable guide so anyone can learn more about managing their finances. The guide is online at www.mappingyourfuture.org/downloads/financialliteracyguide.pdf.
Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089