The Family Table: A Graduate/Professional Roundtable Discussion Hosted by Susan Bogart Director of Financial Aid Penn State University Dickinson School of Law

Farewell Interest Subsidy Starting with Direct Stafford Loans disbursing after July 1, 2012, there is no more interest subsidy for graduate students. – How much more will it cost your students? – How will your computer system handle the change? – How will you tell/have you told your students?

The unexpected good stuff Verification: Sometimes optional! Still necessary if selected and awarded work study or Perkins.

Even if it doesn’t apply to you… You still have to do the “right thing.” If you have no gainful employment programs, you must report that you have no gainful employment programs.

We’re Having This AGAIN?!?!? New SAP requirements Concerned about repeating courses? Checking every semester now? Or not?

Grants, Scholarships and Assistantships Is it getting harder to attract quality students without gift money? How do we make sure need-based gift money goes to neediest students?

Increases to Cost of Attendance When is enough enough? What is allowable? What is not allowable? How do you say no to the student who requests too much? Any other PJ issues?

Has the Cost Become Too Much? Costs have risen rapidly over the last decade or two. Is graduate school no longer worth the cost? Are we in a tuition “bubble?”

IBR/Public Service Loan Forgiveness How do you tell your students about these programs? What have you heard back from alumni pursuing IBR? Have you changed Loan Repayment Assistance Programs to accommodate IBR and PSLF? How do you handle students who want to know the procedure to apply for PSLF?

Cleaning Up How do you do exit counseling? – In person? – Online? Any follow-up after graduation? – Podcasts? – YouTube videos? Repayment/financial literacy education during enrollment?

Dining at Occupy Wall Street

OWS=Student Debt Protest Many of the OWS protesters are citing student loan debt as a major issue. Protesters are asking for student debt forgiveness. Average loan debt is now larger than ever before. Our students are VERY aware of this protest.

Anything We Missed? What else would you like to discuss?

Want to talk more? If you’d like to discuss later: Susan Bogart