GSFC 411 e-newsletter [Jan. 2010]

Hundreds of Students Attend the Annual "College, Yes You Can" Day at the Capitol
For the second year, the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) hosted its Annual "College, Yes You Can" Day at the Capitol on January 11, 2010. More than 460 students, representing 17 schools from across the state of Georgia, received assistance with exploring career and post-secondary opportunities.
During the event, students spoke with financial aid and college admissions experts, learned about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), heard about how HOPE GPAs are calculated, created accounts on www.GAcollege411.org, and completed online applications to Georgia colleges and universities. In addition, a student from Meadowcreek High School in Gwinnett County won a $500 scholarship to be used at an accredited postsecondary institution.
State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox delivered a motivating speech on the importance of continuing education as this yearTMs keynote speaker. In addition, college students Andrew Ross Sheppard, Zachary Smith and Michelle Lank shared the importance of planning for college and taking advantage of all the services offered by the state of Georgia to help them fulfill their dreams of higher education.
"We wanted the students to know that there are a variety of options to prepare them for life after high school. The future success of our young people depends on their access to a wide range of quality higher education opportunities. GSFC connects Georgians to these resources and services that will ensure a well educated and highly trained world class workforce," said Tim Connell, president of the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

JANUARY 2010 ARTICLES
Second Annual College, Yes You Can Day A Success
A Simpler FAFSA Available on the Web Upcoming Webinar Trainings Financial Aid Advisory Council Holds First Meeting of 2010 February GSFC Board Meeting
GSFC411 ARCHIVE
December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 More
RELATED LINKS
GAcollege411 Partner Update Compliance Corner Archive
Board of Regents
Technical College System of Georgia Mapping Your Future Department of Education Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges

Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089
GAcollege411.org - www.gsfc.org

A Simpler FAFSA Now Available Online
The Department of Education recently released a new, streamlined FAFSA. The simplified form reduces the amount of time it takes to apply for federal financial aid from close to two hours to around 20 minutes.
What's New:
Fewer Questions. "Enhanced skip logic" lets students skip questions that don't apply. Friendlier Navigation. Student and parent sections are marked and color-coded, and screens include an easy-to-find "help and hints" section.
What's Coming:
IRS Data Share. Later this month, families applying for aid for this spring can import tax data from the IRS for up to 18 questions. That feature should be available by summer for 2010-11.
What's Proposed:
Future Legislation: In order to further facilitate simplification, Congress is considering a proposal to remove other financial questions, including several about assets, so families could apply for aid using only financial information from their tax returns.

JANUARY 2010 ARTICLES
Second Annual College, Yes You Can Day A Success
A Simpler FAFSA Available on the Web Upcoming Webinar Trainings Financial Aid Advisory Council Holds First Meeting of 2010 February GSFC Board Meeting
GSFC411 ARCHIVE
December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 More
RELATED LINKS
GAcollege411 Partner Update Compliance Corner Archive
Board of Regents
Technical College System of Georgia Mapping Your Future Department of Education Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges

Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089
GAcollege411.org - www.gsfc.org

Upcoming Webinar Trainings
GSFC has put together its January and February 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. Learn more about topics such as: Customer Service, Common Manual Hot Topics, Advanced Financial Aid Officers Academy and Cohort Default Rate Challenge Schools.
To register for training go to the GAcollege411.org website, click on College Administrators and select Professional and Distance Learning Opportunities. For questions concerning registration or about these webinars, please contact Kathleen Caldwell by email at kathleenc@gsfc.org or by phone at 770 -233 -4809.

JANUARY 2010 ARTICLES
Second Annual College, Yes You Can Day A Success
A Simpler FAFSA Available on the Web Upcoming Webinar Trainings Financial Aid Advisory Council Holds First Meeting of 2010 February GSFC Board Meeting
GSFC411 ARCHIVE
December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 More
RELATED LINKS
GAcollege411 Partner Update Compliance Corner Archive
Board of Regents
Technical College System of Georgia Mapping Your Future Department of Education Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges

Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089
GAcollege411.org - www.gsfc.org

Financial Aid Advisory Council Holds First Meeting of 2010
The Financial Aid Advisory Council, a group representing Financial Aid Directors from across the state, will meet on Friday, January 22, 2010. For additional information about the Financial Aid Advisory Council, please contact Sarah Baumhoff, Vice President of Client Services and Marketing at sarahb@gsfc.org

JANUARY 2010 ARTICLES
Second Annual College, Yes You Can Day A Success
A Simpler FAFSA Available on the Web Upcoming Webinar Trainings Financial Aid Advisory Council Holds First Meeting of 2010 February GSFC Board Meeting
GSFC411 ARCHIVE
December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 More
RELATED LINKS
GAcollege411 Partner Update Compliance Corner Archive
Board of Regents
Technical College System of Georgia Mapping Your Future Department of Education Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges

Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089
GAcollege411.org - www.gsfc.org

February GSFC Board Meeting
The next quarterly meeting of the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC), Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA), and Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation (GHEAC) Board of Commissioners will be held Friday, February 5, 2010 at the offices of GSFC, 2082 East Exchange Place in Tucker, Georgia. These are open meetings, and the public is invited to attend.
An agenda will be available in the coming weeks. Please visit www.gsfc.org, for additional information.

JANUARY 2010 ARTICLES
Second Annual College, Yes You Can Day A Success
A Simpler FAFSA Available on the Web Upcoming Webinar Trainings Financial Aid Advisory Council Holds First Meeting of 2010 February GSFC Board Meeting
GSFC411 ARCHIVE
December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 More
RELATED LINKS
GAcollege411 Partner Update Compliance Corner Archive
Board of Regents
Technical College System of Georgia Mapping Your Future Department of Education Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges

Georgia Student Finance Commission 2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 724-9000 or 1-800-505-GSFC (4732) FAX (770) 724-9089
GAcollege411.org - www.gsfc.org