EFG Technologies
Winston-Salem, NC
January 31, 2002
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
uLegislative Update
uRegulatory Update
uBilling Consolidation
uAnnual Statements
uInterest Reporting
uNSLDS News
uEarly Intervention Program
uCollections System
uHELP Desk
u2001 Index
February 18, 2002
uCustomer Anniversaries
Presidents’ Day
uWorkshop Scheduled
uRegional Meetings
(System IIISM will be
uConferences
available during
uCutoff Dates
normally scheduled
uFun Fact
hours.)
uNew Product Update
uHow to Get the Most From Your Update
INSIDE EFG Technologies:
Raffaele Halsey, Help Desk Supervisor
Visit our Web site at www.efg.net/efgtechnologies
for up-to-the minute publications, forms, and information.
Congress Approves ED Funding
Congress has given final approval to an appropriations bill to fund the Department of
Education (ED) for fiscal year 2002, which began October 1. The bill features a
record $6.7 billion increase for education and raises the Pell Grant maximum award by
$250 to a new high of $4,000. President Bush is expected to sign the appropriations
bill sometime in January.
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE
ED Clarifies Use of New Perkins Promissory Note
On November 16, 2001, ED issued Dear Colleague Letter CB-01-13, which
introduced new Perkins and NDSL Promissory Notes. These notes may be used now,
and MUST be used no later than May 1, 2002. ED has clarified that this means that
any promissory note signed on or after May 1, 2002, must be the new Promissory
Note, regardless of the loan period or when the loan was awarded. Links to the
current and new Prom Notes are located on our web site at:
www.efg.net/efgtechnologies/forms.asp. They are available at: http://
www.ifap.ed.gov/IFAPWebApp/currentDPCLettersYearPag.jsp?p1=2001&p2=c.
When you reach that page, scroll down to CB-01-15 (Nov), which provides links to
PDF files of the most current Prom Notes.
REGULATORY
UPDATE
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REGULATORY
UPDATE
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Application Processing System for 2002-2003 Start Up
ED recently announced the start up of the 2002-03 Application Processing System.
FAFSA on the Web and all other related sites became available at 12:01 AM CST
on January 1. As part of this process, ED announced it had mailed 5,441,856 paper
renewal applications by January 9, 2002, with 95% of them having been mailed by
the end of December. By mid-January, ED also reprinted and mailed 4,017,637 PIN
mailers relating to the Renewal Application process, which had been provided in
previous mailings.
To make it easier to find documents related to the FAFSA application processing
system, IFAP will be cross-posting any document that relates to the FAFSA, Renewal FAFSA, FAFSA on the Web, SAR or ISIRs to a new central site, the Application Processing area. ED also alerted all EDExpress users that the release of 200203 EDExpress Version 8.0 has been delayed until mid-January 2002.
Changes and Enhancements to Application Processing System
ED recently issued Action Letter #3 (Gen-02-01) which provides information
about changes and enhancements to the 2002-2003 Application Processing System,
including changes to the Paper and Renewal FAFSAs, the Student Aid Report, the
Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR), and Central Processing System
(CPS) edits and database matches. The action letter includes the following attachments: Summary of 2002-2003 FAFSA Changes; Summary of Changes to the
2002-2003 Application Processing System; 2002-2003 FAFSA and FAFSA
Instructions; 2002-2003 Question 35 Worksheet (Drug Worksheet); and 20022003 SAR, SAR Acknowledgement, and draft ISIR Record Layout.
You may access this information, by visiting http://www.ifap.ed.gov/IFAPWebApp/
currentALettersYearPag.jsp?p1=2002-2003&p2=c and clicking on Action Letter
#3.
E-mail Directory for EFG Technologies’
Management and Customer Service Staff
Debra Adams, Call Center Specialist.: dadams@efg.net
Steve Anderson, Conversion Supervisor: sanderson@efg.net
Bob Balsamo, Production Control Supervisor: rbalsamo@efg.net
Daisy Bass, Customer Service Assoc. Director: dbass@efg.net
Beth Bealle, Product Development Director: bbealle@efg.net
Teressa Beam, Training and Development Coord.: tbeam@efg.net
Mark Bondurant, Private Loan Servicing Mgr: mbondurant@efg.net
Betsy Burton, Market Development Director: bburton@efg.net
Sharon Cameron, School Relations Coord.: scameron@efg.net
Bridgett Christian, Human Resources Mgr.: bchristian@efg.net
Joel Cofer, Customer Service Rep.: jcofer@efg.net
Charles Cornelius, Default Prevention Svr.: ccornelius@efg.net
Joanna Cortez-Gann, Private Loan Servicing Svr.: jcortez-gann@efg.net
Wendy Cox, Customer Service Rep.: wcox@efg.net
Sharal Duncan, Customer Service Rep.: sduncan@efg.net
Terry Gaither, Customer Service Rep. Team Leader: tgaither@efg.net
Wallace Grooms, Private Loan Servicing Svr.: wgrooms@efg.net
John Elliott, Info. Technology Infrastructure Dir.: jelliott@efg.net
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
LaShonda Fields, School Relations Coord.: lfields@efg.net
Charles Fulp, Facilities/Distribution Manager: cfulp@efg.net
Paula Hall, Payment Processing Svr.: phall@efg.net
Barbara Joyce, Accounts Rec. Supervisor: bjoyce@efg.net
Lisa Koniuto, Contracts and Proposals Mgr.: lkoniuto@efg.net
Lando Little, Customer Service Assoc. Director: llittle@efg.net
Pattie Mastin, School Relations Coord.: pmastin@efg.net
Debbie Morgan, Call Center Supervisor: dmorgan@efg.net
Charles Parker, Customer Support Director: cparker@efg.net
Kathy Riddle,Transaction Processing Mgr.: kriddle@efg.net
Jeff Smejkal, Operations Research Manager: jsmejkal@efg.net
Judy Smith, Information Technologies Mgr: jsmith@efg.net
Betsy Spencer, Account Executive: bspencer@efg.net
Andrea Thompson, Customer Service Rep.: athompson@efg.net
Carolyn Williams, Documentation Supervisor: cwilliams@efg.net
Jim Williams, Audit and Compliance Dir.: jwilliams@efg.net
Kim Wilson, School Relations Coord.: kwilson@efg.net
Kim Wright, Information Technology Dir.: kwright@efg.net
World Wide Web Site: http://www.efg.net/efgtechnologies
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Page 3
Guide to 2002-2003 ISIR Available
ED issued Action Letter #4 (Gen-02-02) in January, which includes A Guide to
2002-2003 ISIRs. The Guide contains information to help institutions interpret the
codes that appear on ISIRS, which are sent directly to institutions by the CPS.
REGULATORY
UPDATE
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To locate this action letter go to http://www.ifap.ed.gov/IFAPWebApp/
currentALettersYearPag.jsp?p1=2002-2003&p2=c, and click on Action Letter #4.
Correction for Worksheets on Paper 2002-2003 Renewal FAFSA
The 2002-2003 Renewal FAFSA lists an incorrect page reference for questions 44,
45, and 46 (Student Worksheets A, B, and C). The Renewal FAFSA directs students
to page 8 of the instruction booklet to determine the correct amounts to enter in these
fields. The worksheets, however, are located on pages 6 and 7 of the instruction
booklet.
Billing Consolidation Helps Borrowers
EFG Technologies provides billing consolidation for borrowers who have multiple
student loans serviced on System III. Billing consolidation allows borrowers to
receive a single billing statement, detailing each of their loans, rather than multiple
billing statements. Borrowers routinely request billing consolidation through our
Borrower Services Department, in order to reduce the burden of receiving multiple
statements and writing multiple checks during the month. If the borrower’s due date
for each loan falls on the same day of the month, then all loans (up to five) can be
billed on a single billing statement. The amount due will be the total amount due for all
loans.
BILLING
CONSOLIDATION
In order to provide enhanced service for your borrowers, EFG Technologies will
review borrowers who may be eligible for billing consolidation, and set them up to
receive a single billing statement. For any borrowers who have not yet entered their
repayment period, they will be set up for billing consolidation as soon as repayment
begins.
Annual Statements to be Mailed in February
During the first week of February, we will send Annual Statements to your borrowers
who are making payments by Automatic Direct Draft (ADD) or Coupon Book Billing.
These statements provide borrowers with up-to-date information on the status and
balance of their loan(s).
Form 1098-Es Mailed in January
For customers who contract with us for TRA Student Loan Interest Reporting, we
mailed Form 1098-E to borrowers in January. Forms were mailed to borrowers who
ANNUAL
STATEMENTS
INTEREST
REPORTING
EFG Technologies UPDATE, a newsletter for our customers, is published monthly by EFG Technologies in Winston-Salem, NC.
Editor: Carolyn Williams. Legislative and Regulatory Editor: Jim Williams. Contributors this issue: Beth Bealle, Betsy Burton,
Sharon Cameron, Debra Pitts, and Sharon Swaim. NOTE: This publication contains material related to the interpretation of
federal rules and regulations of the Title IV Program of the Higher Education Act. While EFG Technologies believes the
information contained herein is accurate and factual, this publication has not been reviewed or approved by the US Department
of Education. Please consult the Department of Education or your legal counsel with questions or concerns. Please send any
correspondence to Documentation Department, EFG Technologies, PO Box 3176, Winston-Salem, NC 27102-3176 or directly to
Carolyn Williams, Editor, at cwilliams@efg.net.
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
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Page 4
INTEREST
REPORTING
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paid eligible interest of $5.00 or more during the 2001 tax year. For borrowers who
paid $600.00 or more in interest, information will be reported to the IRS, per regulation. Borrowers may access their interest paid information from our Interactive Voice
Response (IVR) System. You may access your TRA Interest Report via the Internet
using DocumentDirect. Contact your School Relations Coordinator for more information.
NSLDS NEWS
NSLDS Load Error Report Reminder
By now you should have received your December 31 Load Error Reports, and we
wanted to remind you that the December report will be the last one you receive on
paper. Beginning with the January 31, 2002 report, you can access these reports via
DocumentDirect. These reports will be available on DocumentDirect as quickly as
possible upon receipt of the data from NSLDS, which is usually around mid-month.
When you sign onto DocumentDirect, a new report heading of ‘NPSLSNSLDS’ will
appear. The reports are listed in date order by the date the report was received from
NSLDS. You may view past and current versions of this report via DocumentDirect.
EARLY
INTERVENTION
PROGRAM
Early Intervention Program Available Now!
EFG Technologies is offering a new service, the Early Intervention Program (EIP),
designed to help you reduce borrower delinquencies before they get out of control.
EIP provides your borrowers with the tools necessary to bring their loans current,
before they enter a default status. This is achieved through a series of counseling
telephone calls and customized letters beginning early in the delinquency period. The
EIP program has proven results. Over 85% of the borrowers contacted through EIP
become current on their loans. Since we announced the availability of this program
last fall, 10 schools have already signed up. For more information or to sign up for
EIP, please contact your School Relations Coordinator.
COLLECTIONS
SYSTEM
Announcing a New Product - Collections System
EFG Technologies is pleased to introduce a new Collections System. This PC-based
system is designed to support your internal collection activities for your student loan
portfolio. The Collections System is fully integrated with our student loan servicing
system, System III, via a daily file transfer process. Features of the Collections
System include tickler files and letter writing.
Please refer to our New Product Update included with this publication for more
information.
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HELP DESK
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
Attachment: New Product Update--Collections System
HELP Desk Provides Technical Assistance
As announced last month, the HELP Desk is now a part of our Customer Service
Department. The HELP Desk Team provides customers with technical assistance
related to our on-line products and services such as DataLink WebConnect, DocumentDirect on-line reports, and DataDirect FTP. You may contact our HELP Desk
Representatives directly, via our toll-free telephone number 1-800-458-4492, ext.
2111. Raffaele Halsey, Supervisor of the HELP Desk, is featured in this month’s
edition of Inside EFG Technologies.
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Page 5
Annual Update Index Available
The index for 2001 is included as an attachment to this month’s Update. You can also
locate past articles by using our online Index at www.efg.net/efgtechnologies.
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Attachment: 2001 Update Index
Long-term Customer Anniversaries Recognized
We would like to express our appreciation to our customers reaching long-term
anniversaries with us during January, February, and March. Special recognition goes
to Columbia College and Southern Wesleyan University, who have been customers with us for 35 years, and to Champlain College, Gardner-Webb University,
Goddard College, and Springfield Technical College, who have been customers
with us for 30 years! Names of all customers attaining milestone anniversaries with us
are attached. Customers reaching anniversaries with us during the second quarter of
2002 will be recognized in the April Update.
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LONG-TERM
CUSTOMER
ANNIVERSARIES
Attachment: Customer Anniversaries
Workshop Scheduled
The dates of March 25 and 26, 2002 mark the introduction of Student Loans 101:
Learning for the Student Loan Novice. This hands-on session is a two-day workshop for loan administrators who are new to EFG Technologies’ service or new in their
positions. The workshop will cover how to use EFG Technologies’ reports and how to
access reports on line, as well as topics such as cohort, rehabilitation, and the regulations behind them . Seating is limited to 10 participants, so complete your registration
form today. Please wait for a confirmation from School Relations before
making any travel arrangements.
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2001 INDEX
WORKSHOP
SCHEDULED
Attachment: Student Loans 101 Registration form
We are also developing an advanced class for our more experienced customers. This
class will focus on true-life scenarios and provide realistic training examples. The
workshop also will cover more advanced transactions that can be processed on
System III via WebConnect, as well as advanced tools available with DocumentDirect. Look for details in future Updates.
Regional Meetings
We plan to host five Regional Meetings in 2002. Regional Meetings are a great way to
share information with your colleagues and learn some new tricks of the trade. Meetings are scheduled in Columbia, SC; Boston, MA; Richmond, VA; Seattle, WA;
and Florida, with dates to be announced soon.
REGIONAL
MEETINGS
If you are interested in holding one of these meetings at your institution, please contact
your School Relations Coordinator.
The mission of EFG Technologies is to provide high quality, accurate, and effective processing services in response to the needs of our customers. We strive to consistently
provide superior service and innovative solutions at a competitive price.
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
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Page 6
CONFERENCES
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Conferences Scheduled
EFG Technologies staff will attend the 11th Annual EARMA Collections Conference, which will be held on April 9-10, 2002, at the National Conference Center in
East Windsor, New Jersey. For more information, call 723-235-9184.
Professional Development Group will hold its 16th Annual National Conference
for College and University Bursars, Cashiers, and Treasury Managers from
April 14-17 in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information, visit: www.prodev.com.
The Spring KASRO (Kentucky Association of Student Receivable Officers)
Conference will be held April 24-26, 2002, at General Butler State Park in
Carrollton, KY. More information is available at www.e-kasro.org.
The 10th Annual CCULAA Conference will be held from June 9-11, 2002, at
the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, CA. The number for the hotel is 949-975-1234. More
information about the workshop is available at: www.cculaa.org.
CUTOFF DATES
Cutoff Dates
The cutoff dates for February and March 2002 are listed in the table below.
Transaction
February 2002
March 2002
Last day to receive
collection payments
02/25/02
03/26/02
Last day to receive
regular payments
02/26/02
03/27/02
Last day for online
payments
03/01/02
03/29/02
Date final post begins
03/01/02
03/29/02
Report date used for
final post
02/28/02
03/31/02
Last day deposits
created for deposit to
bank account
02/28/02
03/29/02
FUN FACT
Did you know the EFG Technologies Update
is available for you on-line the Friday of
month-end cutoff?
No need to wait for your paper copy to get
current on all of the latest information!
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
New Product Update
Collections System
A publication of EFG Technologies
January 2002
Introducing…
The EFG Technologies Collections System
The EFG Technologies’ Collections System is a PCbased application designed to support the internal
collection activities
associated with your
student loan portfolio. The
Collections System is fully
integrated with our student
loan servicing system,
System IIISM, via a daily
file transfer. You determine the accounts you
want to work with, and we automatically load them to
your database! Then you easily can review each
account; schedule phone calls, letters, and follow-up;
monitor promises-to-pay; and even update addresses
and post payments!
Some features of the EFG Technologies’
Collections System include:
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Point-and-Click Screens
Tickler Files
Letter Writing Capability
Management Reports
Daily Updates
History Comments
It’s easy to get started. The Collections System’s
connection software is loaded to your PC, then you
access your borrowers’ accounts via the Internet,
through our secure Virtual Private Network. Customer
access is controlled by a unique ID and password. EFG
Technologies provides on-site installation and training,
and ongoing customer support.
01-02 EFG Technologies
Minimum PC Requirements for the EFG Technologies’ Collections System include:
Operating Systems
♦ Microsoft Windows 95
♦ Microsoft Windows 98
♦ Microsoft ME
♦ Windows NT Workstation* (version 4.0, SP6A)
♦ Windows2000 Workstation (SP1)
*Windows NT Workstation requires MDAC 2.1 as a
minimum
Machine Speed
♦ 486/166 MHz or higher processor
Hard Drive Space
♦ 30 MB space or more
RAM
♦ 32 MB of RAM or more (suggest 64 MB of RAM)
Other Requirements
♦ CD-ROM Drive
♦ Internet access and minimum browser
(IE or Netscape)
If you would like more information on
the EFG Technologies Collections
System, please contact you School
Relations Coordinator.
Attachment
EFG Technologies Update
Index for January to December 2001 Issues
Audit
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Annual Third-Party Compliance
Audit is Underway (May, p.6)
Audit Report Available (Sept., p.8)
Audit Begins in April (Apr., p.4)
Audit Report Available in August
(June, p.6; July, p.5) Attachment:
Audit Report Request Form
Third-Party Audit Completed to
Perfection! (Aug., p.4) Attachment:
Audit Report Request Form
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Collection Agency Update
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Attachments:
Ø Collection Agencies, Loan
Rehabilitation, and the Credit
Bureaus; Report Enhancements;
Enhancement to DocumentDirect;
DocumentDirect Reminder;
DataLink – Quick Access (May)
Ø Disaster Relief Guidelines; How To
Tell if a Loan Has a 25% Cap; Need
Quick Access to Borrower Accounts
in Real Time? Try DataLink! (Nov.)
Ø Lost Without Your Weekly Reports?;
Why Did My Password Expire?
(August)
Ø Where Are My Reports? (Feb.)
Customer Anniversaries
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Long-term Customers Recognized
(Jan., p.5; Apr., p.6; July, p.6; Oct.,
p.8) Attachment: Long-term
Customer Anniversaries
Cutoff Dates
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Department of Education
Cutoff Dates for 2002 (Sept., p.10;
Dec, p.8)
Feb/March (Jan., p.8)
March/April (Feb., p.10)
April/May (March, p.6)
May/June (Apr., p.10)
June/July (May, p.10)
July/August (June, p.8)
August/September (July, p.8)
September/October (Aug., p.7)
October/November (Sept., p.9)
November/December (Oct., p.9)
December/January (Nov., p.6)
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
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January/February (Dec., p.7)
2001-2002 SFA Handbook Errata
Published (Aug., p.3)
2002-2003 EDE Technical
Reference Now Posted (Dec., p.2)
Annual COHEAO/HHS Conference
to be Held March 19-20) (Feb., p.4)
Availability of CPS Test System for
2002-2003 (Dec., p.2)
Availability of Quality Analysis
Tool for Windows 2000-2001, v.1.0
(Jan., p.3)
Campus-Based FISAP Moving to
Web Soon (Aug., p.3)
Complete your Program
Participation Agreement Now (May,
p.5)
Conference Update on the Federal
Perkins Loan Promissory Note
(Aug., p.3)
Corrected Page 31 for 2001-02 EFC
Worksheets Issued (March, p.2)
Department Policy Decisions on
Hold (Feb., p.4)
Digest of Education Statistics 2000
Released (Feb., p.5)
ED Announces PIN Application
Process (May, p.2)
ED Finds Delinquent Borrowers
Among New Hires (Apr., p.3)
ED Issues “Best Practices
Handbook” on Student Loan
Repayment (Feb., p.4)
ED Issues Correction to Federal
Student Aid Application File (Apr.,
p.2)
ED Issues Pre-Release Draft of
2002-03 FISAP Technical
Reference (March, p.3)
ED Reduces Schools’ 2002-2003
Paper FAFSA Orders by 33% (Dec.,
p.1)
ED Reports on Continuing Decline
of College Loan Default Rates (Oct.,
p.5)
ED Software Not Tested in
Windows XP Environment (Aug.,
p.2)
EDExpress 7.0 Issues (Feb., p.3)
EDExpress Packaging Aid Type
“R” Not Calculating Correctly
(Aug., p.2)
EDExpress Software Printing
Incorrect ISIR Report Value
(March, p.2)
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Education Department Developing
New Transfer Monitoring Process
(May, p.1) Attachment: Transfer
Monitoring Process
ERIC Releases New System-Wide
Web Site Address (June, p.4)
FAFSA Applications Available by
Late October (Oct., p.5)
Fed.Up Initiative Issues Chart (Dec.,
p.2)
First Annual Spring Update
Conference (Dec., p.2)
Four More Volumes of “2000-2001
ED Handbook” Available in Print
(March, p.3)
Improvements and Changes to
NSLDS Announced (Aug., p.3)
National Default Prevention Day,
August 2, 2001 (June, p.3)
New Look for IFAP Homepage
(March, p.1)
New Promissory Notes Revised
(Dec., p.1)
Roderick Paige Sworn in as Seventh
Secretary of Education (Feb., p.4)
SFA Issues Notice on Interest Rates
for Consolidation Loans (July, p.3)
SFA’s New Web Site (March, p.1)
SFA Recovers $1 Billion Year-toDate (July, p.2)
Schools Invited to Join the
Postsecondary Electronic Standards
Council (PESC) (July, p.3)
Second Administrative Cost
Allowance Payment (Aug., p.4)
Third Update to Draft RFMS 200102 Record Layouts Posted (March,
p.2)
Upcoming Changes to Higher
Education Tax Benefits (Aug., p.3)
Attachment: Changes in Higher
Education Tax Benefits
Updating the Federal School Code
File (July, p.2)
Disaster Relief Information
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Bill Introduced to Help Those
Affected by Terrorist Attacks (Oct.,
p.4)
Dear Colleague Letter for Military
Personnel Issued (Oct., p.3)
EFG Technologies Implements
Disaster Relief (What is EFG
Doing to Help?) (Sept., p.1)
Attachments: Dear Colleague
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Letter (Gen-01-11); Relief for
Borrowers; Dear Colleague Letter
(Gen-01-12); Institutional
Reporting Deadlines
Forbearance for Borrowers who
Reside or Work in Disaster Area
(Oct., p.4)
Forbearance for Other Borrowers
(Oct., p.4)
HHS Issues Disaster Relief
Guidelines for Title VII, VIII
Programs (Oct., p.3)
New SFA Web Site Gives
Guidance in Aftermath of Terrorist
Attacks (Oct., p.4)
Update on Disaster Forbearance
Processing (Oct., p.1)
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Roberts, Kathy Jo (Apr.)
Smejkal, Jeff (July)
Smith, Judy (March)
Spencer, Betsy (Sept.)
Thompson, Andrea (May)
Legislative Updates
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Are You Fed Up? (June, p.1)
House Education Panel Chairman
Selected (Jan., p.1)
Modifications to Student Loan
Interest Deduction (June, p.1)
President Offers Detailed Budget
(Apr., p.1)
Miscellaneous
HHS
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Poverty Guidelines Issued-2001
(Apr., p.3)
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How To
Attachments
Ø Change Your Reporting Options
(Dec.)
Ø Ensure Borrower Repayment (Nov.)
Ø Order Exit Interview Packages
(Feb.)
Ø Manage Your Cohort Default Rate
(March)
Ø Process a Loan Rehabilitation (Jan.)
Ø Process Credit Balance Refunds
(Apr.)
Ø Process New Loans and Advances
and Unpostable New Loans and
Advances (Sept.)
Ø Reconcile Accounting and Cash
Activity Reports with Bank
Statements (July)
Ø Use Automated Collection Agency
Interface (Oct.)
Ø Use DataStreamsm (June)
Ø Use DocumentDirect (May)
Ø Use our Web Site (August)
inside EFG - Profiles
Attachments
Ø Adams, Debra (Jan.)
Ø Balsamo, Bob (June)
Ø Brown, Shirley (Oct.)
Ø Fields, LaShonda (Aug.)
Ø Mastin, Pattie (Dec.)
Ø Morgan, Debbie (Nov.)
Ø O’Mara, April (Feb.)
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Annual Statements to be Mailed in
January (Dec., p.5)
Annual Statements to be Sent in
February (Jan., p.4)
Campaign Underway to Encourage
ADD (Dec., p.5)
Cohort Default Rate Added to
Enhanced Status Report (Feb., p.7)
Collection Agency Update (Feb.,
p.8) (New Publication)
Attachment: Collection Agency
Update
Consolidated Billing Reduces
Confusion (May, p.5)
Customer Service Week Celebrated
(Oct., p.8)
Fiscal Year-End a Success! (July,
p.5)
GASB Publishes Guide for
Analysts Related to GASB
Statement 34 (Feb., p.5)
Go Teams! (Jan., p.6)
HELP Desk Transfers to Customer
Service (Dec., p.5)
Holiday Schedule for 2002 (Dec.,
p.7)
How to Contact Customer Service
(CSR Extensions) (May, p.7)
If a Disaster Strikes, Are You
Ready? (Feb., p.8)
Increase in Late Charges Amount
(Apr., p.5)
Loans to Review for Cohort
Default Rate (Feb., p.7)
Long-term Employees Honored
(March, p.4)
Not Another Fire Drill?! (July, p.4)
Pat Hill named “Service Excellence
Award” Recipient (Feb., p.1)
Attachment: Inside EFG feature
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article on Pat Hill
Processing Procedures Clarified
(Hardship/Forbearance Processing)
(Sept., p.6) Attachment: Forms
and QuikLetters
Quarterly Update Index Available
(Apr., p.8; July, p.6; Oct; p.8)
Attachment: Quarterly Update
Index
Students Unaware of Total Costs of
Loans, Says PIRG (Apr., p.3)
Updated E-mail Addresses Needed
(Sept., p.4)
Updated On-Line Processing
Manual Available (Jan., p.6)
Use Index to Locate Articles (Jan.,
p.6) Attachment: Update Index
2000
Welcome New Market
Development Staff (May, p.8)
We’re Committed to Customer
Service Excellence (July, p.6)
We’ve Got Mail! (Jan., p.5)
William D. Ford Consolidation
Loan Clarification (Jan., p.5)
NSLDS
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Assigned/Accepted Loan Reporting
to NSLDS (Jan., p.4)
Great News About NSLDS
Reporting (March, p.3)
NSLDS Loan Error Report
Available in On-Line (Sept., p.7)
NSLDS Separation Date
Modifications (June, p.5)
NSLDS Update Provides Good
News (May, p.5) Attachment:
NSLDS Update
New Edits Added for New Loans
and Advances (Feb., p.6)
Remarkable Progress (Aug., p.6)
SAIG Re-Enrollment Form
Clarification (Dec., p.3)
New Customer – Welcome!
Ø
Ø
Ø
New Customers on Board (Aug.,
p.1)
St. Catharine’s College joins EFG
Technologies (Sept., p.4)
Welcome New Customer –
University of Maryland College
Park (Oct., p.5)
Regulatory Updates
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2001-2002 SAR/ISIR Comment
Codes Updated (Nov., p.3)
A Guide to 2001-2002 ISIR (Feb.,
p.2)
Accessing the FISAP on the Web
(Sept., p.5)
Campus-based Policy Memorandum
2000-01 (May, p.2)
Campus-based Program Funding for
2001-2002 (Apr., p.2)
Change in 2001-2002 FAFSA
“Drug Conviction” Question (Apr.,
p.1)
Changes Made to 2001-2002
Electronic Financial Aid
Applications (Feb., p.2)
Changes to the 2002-03 Renewal
FAFSA Process (Sept., p.5)
Clarification on the Use of IRS
Letter 1722 for Financial Aid
Purposes (Sept., p.5)
Deadline and Submission Dates
Published for 2001-02 Award Year
(Sept., p.4)
Dear Colleague Letter GEN-01-01
(ACTION LETTER #5) (Jan., p.3)
Dear Colleague Letter, GEN-00-24
(Jan., p.1)
Don’t Forget to Report FISAP Cash
on Hand Amount (Nov., p.4)
Federal Perkins Loan Program IRS
Skiptracing Service (Sept., p.6)
Federal Register Notice, December
22, 2000 (Jan., p.3)
Final Drug Worksheet Available on
Web (Nov., p.4)
Ignore Prisoner Matches Per ED
(Sept., p.4)
Information Pertaining to
Abandoned Loans (Loan Status
Code AL) (Feb., p.3)
Interest Rate on Federal Loans to
Decline (June, p.3)
Message to Default Reduction
Assistance Program (DRAP) Users
(Jan., p.2)
NSLDS Changes Under
Consideration (Feb., p.3)
New Death and Disability Discharge
Regulations Reminder (June, p.2)
New Promissory Notes Approved
(Nov., p.1)
Notice Inviting Proposals for
Participation in Experimental Sites
(June, p.3)
Perkins Service Cancellation
Reimbursement and Payment Letter
(May, p.3)
Renewal FAFSA and SAR Drafts
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Available Now (Nov., p.4)
Sample Default Management Plan
Updated (July, p.1)
Tentative 2001-2002 Funding
Levels for Campus-Based Programs
(Feb., p.2)
Updated NAS Specifications and
Draft ISIR Format Now Available
(Nov., p.4)
Use of Electronic Signatures in the
Federal Student Loan Programs
(May, p.2)
Verification Tracking Flag Added to
2002-2003 ISIR Layout (Nov., p.4)
Reminders
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Deferment Processing Service
Reminder (June, p.4)
Fiscal Year End is Approaching
(Apr., p.7; May, p.6)
Just a Reminder-Use the IVR (July,
p.4)
Late Charge Increase Reminder
(May, p.5; June, p.4)
Reminder: Mailing Address for
Customer Support (Feb., p.8)
Services/Enhancements
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
2002 Training Changes Announced
(Dec., p.5)
Announcing a New ProductEnhanced Servicing! (Dec., p.5)
Attachment: New Product Update –
Enhanced Servicing
Accounting Report Enhancements
(May, p.6)
Authorization Needed for NSC
Deferment Processing Service
(May, p.4) Attachment: NSC
Authorization Form
Changes to Improve Online
Payments (Aug., p.6)
Changes to the Management
Operations Analysis (Oct., p.7)
Changes to the NDSL Fiscal
Operations Analysis (Sept., p.7)
Clearinghouse Announces RealTime LoanLocator Information
(Nov., p.5)
Cohort Default Rate Added to
Reports (Dec., p.4)
Consolidation Loan Available Thru
AMS (Dec., p.4)
DataDirect FTP Service Increases
Efficiency (June, p.5)
Default Processing Screen Allows
Assigned/Accepted Processing
(Oct., p.6)
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
DocumentDirect Enhancements
(Apr., p.6; May, p.6)
EFG Provides Sep Date
Management via the Clearinghouse
(Oct., p.7)
Fiscal Operations Report
Enhancements Implemented (June,
p.5)
Introducing the New Payoff Screen
(PAYO) (Dec., p.4)
Loan Consolidation Information on
Our Web Site (Sept., p.8)
NSC Deferment Processing Service
Begins July 1 (June, p.4)
Attachment: NSC Authorization
Form
National Student Clearinghouse
Services (July, p.4) Attachment:
Clearinghouse Procedures
New Default Processing Screen
(Sept., p.7)
New Product Available Now! (Early
Intervention Program) (Oct., p.5)
Attachment: New Product Update
New Sort Option Available for Exit
Interview Packages (March, p.4)
On Target for New Deferment and
Forbearance Processing Service
(May, p.3)
Processing Forbearances and
Hardship Deferments (Apr., p.6)
Sign Up Now for NSC Deferment
Processing Service (Aug., p.4)
System IIIsm Connection
Attachments
Ø Are You Using the Payment
Request Screen?; HOSB Screen
Keeps Track of Outstanding Bills;
Updated On-Line Processing
Manual Available; System III
Availability (March)
Ø Who Wants to Collect More
Money?; Benefits from Using
DocumentDirect for Year-End
Processing; Remind Your Collection
Agency about the Benefits of
DataLink; Applying an Advance is a
Snap on System III; System III
Availability (June)
Ø Strengthening the Weakest Link;
Why Did My Password Expire?;
System III Availability (Sept.)
Ø Introducing the New Payoff
Projection Screen (PAYO); Payoff
Projection Screen Fields and their
Functions; Helpful Hints Regarding
the PAYO Screen; System III
Availability (Dec.)
Ø
Ø
Ø
Taxpayer Relief Act (TRA)
Ø
Form 1098-Es Mailed (Jan., p.4)
Attachment: TRA Documents (3)
Form 1098-Es to be Mailed in
January (Dec., p.3) Attachment:
Sample of Form 1098-E
Student Loan Interest Reporting
Service Available (Nov., p.5)
Ø
Web Site
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Enhancements to the EFG
Technologies’ Web Site (Apr., p.7)
How to Link to Our Site (May, p.7)
Information Available on Loan
Consolidation (Oct., p.7)
Loan Consolidation Information on
Our Web Site (Sept., p.8)
Watch for Enhancements to the EFG
Technologies’ Web Site (March,
p.4)
Workshops/Regional Meetings
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
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Ø
Additional On-Line Workshop
Available (March, p.5)
Attachment: Registration Form and
Workshop Flyer
Conference Scheduled (COHEAO
Annual Meeting and Student Loan
Seminar) (Nov., p.6)
COHEAO Annual Meeting and
Student Loan Seminar Coming
January 27-31, Arlington, VA
(Dec., p.6)
Fall Workshops are Successful
(Oct., p.8)
Final Regional Meeting for 2001
(Oct., p.9)
July Workshop Scheduled
Attachment: On-Line Processing
Workshop Flyer and Registration
Form (May, p.8; June, p.6)
July Workshop (July, p.7)
More Workshops Scheduled (Apr.,
p.8) Attachment: On-Line
Workshop Flyer and Registration
Form
Phoenix Regional Meeting a
Success (Nov., p.5)
Register Now Before It’s Too Late!
(Aug., p.6) Attachment: Workshop
Registration Form
Regional Luncheon Held in Texas
(Dec., p.6)
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Regional Meetings (Jan., p.7; Feb.,
p.9; March, p.5; July, p.7)
Regional Meetings a Success!
(Apr., p.8; May, p.8; June, p.6)
Regional Meetings Scheduled for
Fall (Aug., p.7; Sept., p.8)
Spring 2001 Workshop (Apr., p.8)
Start the New Year off with a
Bang! (July, p.7) Attachment:
Workshop Registration Form
Upcoming Conferences (Jan., p.7;
Feb., p.9; March, p.5; Apr., p.9;
May, p.9; June, p.7; July, p.7; Aug,
p.7; Sept., p.9; Oct., p.9)
Workshop Offered in March
(Winston-Salem) (Feb., p.8)
Attachment: Registration Form
and Workshop Flyer
Workshops Update (Jan., p.7)
Attachment: Registration Form
and Workshop Flyer
First Quarter
Customer Anniversaries for 2002
Thirty-five Years
Columbia College
Southern Wesleyan University
Thirty Years
Champlain College
Gardner-Webb University
Goddard College
Springfield Technical College
Twenty-five Years
Northern Arizona University
Nyack College
St. Thomas Aquinas College
Sullivan County Community College
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Ursuline College
Twenty Years
Regis College
University of Texas-Arlington
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
First Quarter
Customer Anniversaries for 2002
Fifteen Years
Benedictine University
Millersville University of Pennnsylvania
Rush University
University of California
University of Chicago
Western Washington University
Ten Years
Dodge City Community College
Globe Institute of Technology, Inc.
Mount Wachusett Community College
Simons Rock College
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
Hop into Spring with
Student Loans 101
When:
March 25-26, 2002
Where:
EFG Technologies
Reynolda Business Center
2400 Reynolda Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Fees:
$100 per person for the two-day workshop
Provided:
Service Overview Manual
Lunch and Morning Snacks
Lodging:
Ramada Plaza Hotel
(336) 723-2911
$74 per night + tax
(Be sure to mention EFG Technologies)
Other available hotels:
Hampton Inn - (336) 760-1660
$79 per night + tax
$90.99 per night + tax (king)
Courtyard by Marriott - (336) 760-5777
$89 per night + tax
Best Western - (336) 765-6062
$69 per night + tax
LaQuinta - (336) 765-8777
$85.99 per night + tax
1/02
All registration fees are per person. EFG Technologies cannot guarantee a refund of registration fees for any
cancellations made after March 8. Late registrations received after March 8, 2002 will be charged a late
registration fee of $10 per person. Registrations received in the final week before the workshop will be accepted
based on available space.
REGISTRATION FORM
Student Loans 101
Winston-Salem, NC
March 25-26, 2002
Institution Name
Street Address
City
State
Zip
NAME
TITLE
TELEPHONE
E-MAIL ADDRESS
r $100 - Student Loans 101 - 3/25-26
NAME
TITLE
TELEPHONE
E-MAIL ADDRESS
r $100 - Student Loans 101 - 3/25-26
NAME
TITLE
TELEPHONE
E-MAIL ADDRESS
r $100 - Student Loans 101 - 3/25-26
Registration Deadline: March 8, 2002
After receiving your registration form, we will send you a confirmation, hotel and workshop locations, directions, and program
information. We cannot guarantee a refund of fees for registrations made less than 14 days before the workshop or
cancellations made less than five business days from the workshop
Registration fee enclosed
Registration fee mailed separately to address below
Signature X
School Relations Assistant
EFG Technologies
P.O. Box 3176
Winston-Salem, NC 27102-3176
01-02
Questions?
(800) 458-4492 Ext. 2272
fax (336) 607-2025
Get the MOST
From Your Update!
We’ve been publishing the Update for more
than 20 years to help you manage your
student loan portfolio. In each issue we
provide information on the latest news
about regulation changes, Department of
Education announcements, and service
enhancements to keep you up-to-date and
informed. Each month we feature:
Department of Education and Legislative Updates
Do you have several hours each month to browse through Education
Department Web sites to see what new regulations and announcements
have been published that could impact your student loan
portfolio? With our team of audit and compliance experts
working to track regulatory and legislative changes, you
don’t have to. To make it even easier to find this up-tothe-minute information, we publish it in each issue of the
Update.
Information about our Products and Services
Largely in response to requests from our customers, EFG Technologies
continually improves our products and services. Read all about them in the
Update, and find out who to call for more information.
Announcements about Changes in Procedures
One of the first ways to learn about any changes in procedures we are
making is through the Update.
Want the latest news from
EFG Technolgies?
Each month’s Update is
published on the Web the
Friday of month-end cutoff.
In the event of fast breaking
news, we will post the latest
information on our Web site
immediately.
Stay ahead of
the pack by
visiting us at
www.efg.net/
efgtechnologies.
Information about Regional Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops
Read the Update to find out about upcoming training and networking events that will help
you in your job.
Calendar Information
Don’t be taken off guard. Find out about cutoff dates and our company holidays well in
advance by consulting the Update. This will help in planning your activities.
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
Continued on other side
Who’s Who and How Tos
File away our easy-to-read instructions on topics such as
“How to Change Your Reporting Options,” “How to Ensure
Borrower Repayment,” and “How to use DataStream and
Document Direct,” which are published monthly in the
Update. Or better yet, check out our Web site for several years worth of “How Tos.”
You also can put a face with that name by reading the Update. Each month we profile one of our employees in the
Inside EFG Technologies feature.
Quarterly Publications
We publish smaller newsletters to targeted audiences on a quarterly basis. All customers receive a System III
Connection in March, June, September, and December. Collection Agencies receive Collection Agency
Update in February, May, August, and November. These publications and others are all available through
our Web site.
What Do You Think?
Take a few minutes and e-mail your general opinion about the Update to Carolyn Williams, Update Editor, at
cwilliams@efg.net, or send this form to Carolyn Williams at EFG Technologies, P.O. Box 3176, Winston-Salem, NC
27102-3176.
1. Do you read printed copies of the Update?
a. Always
b. Usually
c. Sometimes
d. Occasionally
e. Never
2. Do you access the Update online?
a. Always
b. Usually
c. Sometimes
d. Occasionally
e. Never
3. Do you find the publication helpful?
a. Always
b. Usually
c. Sometimes
d. Occasionally
e. Never
4. What would you like to see more of in the Update?
a. Regulatory and Education Department Information
b. Information about New Products and Services
c. More “How To” information
d. More information about our staff
e. Other
You may select more than one response.
5. If you don’t read the Update online, why not?
a. Prefer reading printed material
b. Don’t think about it
c. Can’t find it easily
d. Didn’t know it was available
d. Other
6. What is your overall opinion of the Update?
Your Name and School
Visit us at www.efg.net/efgtechnologies.
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
Inside
EFG Technologies
Raffaele Halsey
Raffaele Halsey
A Big Help
One of the first things you notice about Raffaele
Halsey is the smile that he always seems to have on his
face. He has had a lot to smile about in recent months
because he has a new baby and a new job that allows him
to do what he likes best— work with technology and help
other people.
In June of this year, Raffaele was promoted to HELP
Desk Supervisor after working with EFG Technologies for
three years. As HELP Desk Supervisor, Raffaele and his
staff of two HELP Desk Coordinators provide technical
support to customers who have questions about System
III, WebConnect, DocumentDirect, DataStream, or any
other company product. His team is also responsible for
helping our staff with issues related to their computer
hardware, software, and peripherals.
Raffaele is a natural for this job because of his three
years of experience as a Print Operator and an Operations
Analyst in our Data Center and his B.S. degree in Information Systems Management. As an Operations Analyst,
Raffaele helped System III customers use DataDirect FTP
(file transfer protocol) technology, created test files for
customers, re-created files for customers; and worked
with customers who were using DocumentDirect or
ViewDirect.
Because of this experience, he has first-hand
knowledge about walking customers through any issues
they might have with these products. Indeed, Raffaele
thrives on being able to help customers with their questions. “It is most gratifying to me to hear the satisfaction
in a customer’s voice when I help them learn something
new or accomplish a task that was a problem for them. I
believe that you should do all you can to assist customers so they are happy when they hang up the phone.”
Recently, the HELP Desk became part of Customer
Service, which further enhances the HELP Desk’s ability
to serve customers. As part of this change, two Customer
Service Representatives joined the HELP Desk so customers benefit from the staff’s extensive knowledge of loan
processing and their technological expertise. In fact, the
HELP Desk Coordinators are available to answer nontechnical customer service questions about deferment
procedures or reports as needed. “The way I see it, this
move to Customer Service is nothing but a plus for our
customers,” says Raffaele. In the next few months,
Raffaele will continue to fine-tune the operations of the
01-02 EFG Technologies Update
Raffaele Halsey:
“It is most gratifying for
me to hear the
satisfaction in a
customer’s voice when
I help them learn
something new or
accomplish a task that
was a problem for
them. I believe that
you should do all you
can to assist customers so they are happy
when they hang up the
phone.”
HELP Desk. His goal is to have a 100% answer rate in
his area so all customers get the answers they need.
When Raffaele is not at work, he is usually
involved with family or church activities. He and his
wife, Nebra, have a three-year old daughter, Morgan,
and a seven-month old son, Myles, and look forward to
being involved in future school and sports activities as
their children grow up.
Raffaele is originally from Newark, New Jersey
and wanted a change of scenery after graduating from
high school. He had played football and baseball in
high school and considered pursuing scholarship
opportunities at other colleges, but decided to attend
Winston-Salem State University at his high school
principal’s suggestion. While in school, he worked at
Wake Forest University Medical Center in a supervisory
position and joined our company after graduation from
college.
At work, customers frequently ask Raffaele questions about DocumentDirect. The most frequent
question he is asked off the job is the story behind his
name. According to Raffaele, his mother heard a singer
named Raffaele during her pregnancy and decided it
would be an unusual name for her son. Will Raffaele
pass his name down to future generations? “No,”
Raffaele says firmly with a smile.