USA Funds Stafford Loan Guide to Provide Entrance-Counseling Help
Submitted by Arnold Trejo, Sandy Holt & John Bautista

Beginning in spring 2006, USA Funds® will offer financial-aid administrators and their students a new interactive online Stafford-loan entrance-counseling tool designed to meet the unique needs of each school and its students.

The USA Funds Stafford Loan Guide will help financial-aid administrators build lasting relationships with borrowers by giving the borrowers trusted advice about their student loans, helping them understand their rights and responsibilities as student-loan borrowers, and providing them with memorable guidance that will prepare them to take control of their student loans.

USA Funds Stafford Loan Guide will offer flexibility in using the program, built-in reporting features, easy-to-understand material, and phone or e-mail support when you need it.

By using the USA Funds Stafford Loan Guide, financial-aid administrators can:

• Meet federal requirements by offering students comprehensive entrance-counseling content specifically designed for them.
• Communicate with all student-loan borrowers—including commuters and distance learners—in an efficient and engaging manner.
• Give students an easy-to-use, interactive tool to help them understand their responsibilities as federal student-loan borrowers, take control of their education debt and ultimately successfully repay their loans.
• Track students’ progress and know how many students started the counseling session and completed the counseling session.
• Access reports online for individual students or groups of students.
• Choose how often to receive notices of students who have completed counseling.
• Create reports that are attractive, well-organized and easy to use.
• Save time by automating this federally mandated requirement.
• Access help through dedicated telephone and e-mail support.

The USA Funds Stafford Loan Guide was designed based on the advice of student-loan borrowers and financial-aid professionals. Students who use the USA Funds Stafford Loan Guide to complete their entrance-counseling requirement can:

• Choose a time that’s convenient for them. The counseling session is available online and may be accessed through your school’s Web site.
• Complete the counseling requirement in one session or several sessions. Most students take 45 minutes or less.
• Comprehend and remember the content. USA Funds Stafford Loan Guide has simplified information on each screen so students can quickly grasp the main ideas.
• Take and pass tests throughout the program to ensure students grasp key concepts.
• Use a tool that’s been specifically designed for their age group.
• Access dedicated telephone or e-mail support.

For more information, visit the USA Funds Web site, www.usafunds.org, and select “Financial-Aid Professionals,” “Debt-Management Information” and “USA Funds Stafford Loan Guide.”