Established in 1997, the Council provides the higher education community with innovative leadership, activities and services that improve the understanding and management of personal and education finance by students and families. The Council establishes relationships with community partners to heighten student and family awareness of the availability of, and responsibility toward, education finance; and works with institutions, associations, and other stakeholders to develop, implement, and evaluate approaches for information dissemination, financial education and debt management practices and programs.
Formerly, the Council slated a specific number of positions for members of the lending and school communities and financial aid professional organizations. To allow greater flexibility in membership and align itself with the new student loan environment, the Council revised its membership to remove slated positions and instead specify the types of professional expertise required to carry out the Council’s mission. In its reevaluation process, the Council also took the opportunity to ensure that not only its mission and membership were aligned in purpose, but also that its name continues to be appropriate.
The Council continues to adapt to its commitment in helping students avoid default on their student loans. Despite the significant changes that the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, (HCEARA) brought to the student loan program, last year proved to be another productive year for the Council. The Council successfully led initiatives and spearheaded efforts which focused on revising resources and creating new and timely resources for higher education.
The Council has added some resources for students to assist in the financing of higher education and loan repayment. These modules are:
• Plan for Success: Preparing to Fulfill your Student Loan Commitment provides a review of available repayment options and loan responsibilities for student loan borrowers.
• Know What You Owe: Tracking your Student Loans emphasizes the
importance of tracking student loans to ensure successful loan repayment.
In February, 2011, the Council presented the first annual Applying for Student Financial Aid Webinar. The Council decided that parents of high school students needed more information about resources available to pay for college. Most especially, parents were instructed in the complex process of applying for aid and they received a basic presentation on the aid application process. Also, parents were trained in the differences in federal and private student loans.
The Council looks forward to another year of initiatives dedicated to helping students succeed in loan repayment and money management. The Council has jumpstarted the new 2011/2012 business year with a planning meeting where new initiatives emerged. At the same time, the Council desires to stay focused on the following on-going initiatives which carry forward into the upcoming year(s):
improve and deliver training with its loan entrance and exit counseling training materials.
the Council’s financial literacy committee prepares to launch two new financial literacy training modules later in 2011.
the Council prepares to develop content about education finance for new and continuing postsecondary professional staff involved in enrollment management.
Although the Council for Student Success in Higher Education is based in Texas and primarily works with Texas
Reference
The Council for Success in Higher Education. (2011). Annual Report. Retrieved October 2011 from http://www.tgslc.org/pdf/Council-annualreport1011.pdf
This is an effort that should be replicated in other states in order effect change on a national level.
ReplyDeleteThanks Texas for the model, I hope that we can use and implement these measures a some point.
I'd like to see this in Tennessee!
ReplyDelete