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All Access is a blog for higher education administrators that offers

• professional development,
• networking and
• idea sharing.

Need Access Update - Doing More with Less

In case you’re not familiar with Need Access, it is a financial aid application offered by Access Group that gathers information from students to determine their eligibility for institutional financial aid.

Fifty four schools currently use Need Access, 24 law schools, 24 health professional, and 6 business and general graduate schools.  This year, the 09-10 academic year, 22,000 new applicants used Need Access.  Click here for a list of Need Access participating schools.

2010-2011 Product Updates:

1.    Improvements will be made to the “re-submit” process.  Schools have several processes to help manage the applicants that update their application after the initial submission.  To date, we have over 1700 resubmits this year.

2.    Going forward, the student’s marital status will be aligned with the FAFSA.  In addition, new options will include “separated”, and “divorced/widowed” to better gauge the applicants’ situations.

3.    Additional data file layout will include a XML file format.

4.    Although, we’ve only had one instance of a student that couldn’t use the Pay-Pal feature, the Pay-Pal process will be refined to ensure ease of transaction. 

FAFSA Simplification and Need Access:

FAFSA simplification seems to be on a lot of minds.  There are 2 stages to the simplification. 

·Right now … A reduced number of questions will make the application process easier. 

·In the future … pending legislation will eliminate many savings and income-related questions from the FAFSA … stay tuned for the impact to the EFC!

See the resources section to the right for a complete copy of the Need Access Update Presentation.

Posted by: Sue Ledwell

Thank You ...

 

 

 

 

On behalf of the Access Group staff, my sincere thanks for your participation in and enthusiasm for our 2009 conference. Whether you attended in person or followed along on the blog, we hope you enjoyed learning from this year’s knowledgeable speakers and presenters.  We hope their insights encourage all of us to think and reflect on how we live our lives and do our jobs.

 

Thanks to:

 

· Edward James Olmos and his provocative “We’re all in the Same Gang”,

· Brett Leif and his informative Industry Update,

· My new “best friend,” Jean Chatzky  for her “Recession Busting” wisdom,

· Nina Totenberg’s insights on the Supreme Court, and 

· All the accomplished and talented presenters, panelists and session leaders.

An additional thanks to our 2009 Conference Planning Committee, Dan Burr (Chair), Cheryl Constantine, Dotti Davidson, Susan Gross, Joseph Lindsay, Larry Mueller, Emily Osborn, Cheryl White and Sheila Williams. Their dedication and hard work enabled us to continue our tradition of a strong and relevant education program for graduate and professional school administrators. 

 

Everyone at Access Group looks forward to seeing you next year.  Stay tuned.. we will forward more details this winter. 

 

We wish you all a happy and safe holiday season.

 

Sincerely,

 

Vivian G Bowden

Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer

Access Group

The Future of Student Lending

 

Access Group’s director of borrower education services, Jeff Hanson, moderated the final session of the 2009 conference, “The Future of Student Lending.”   His respected panel included:

· John Dean, Attorney, The Law Offices of John E. Dean

· Richard George, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation

· Dr. Sam Kipp, Former President, EdFund

· Dr. Dave Mohning, Executive Director of the Office of Student Financial Aid and Undergraduate Scholarships, Vanderbilt University

 

With all the changes in the financial markets and the many forces affecting the student loan industry, this session offered a panel discussion that provided a variety of perspectives on where the industry is headed, and what that will mean for you and your students.

For a copy of the notes taken from the session, please click “Conference Materials for Download” to the right under the “Reference” heading.

 

Posted by: Jeff Hanson, Jocelyn Dangler & Jen Trauman

 

“The Supreme Court” with Nina Totenberg

Right off the bat, Ms. Totenberg, luncheon speaker on the final day, tells us that she’s a college drop-out and how ironic that she’s speaking to a group such as ours.  That’s ok Nina; we won’t hold it against you.

Nina Totenberg is the Legal Affairs Correspondent for NPR’s Washington desk.  Her knowledge and understanding of the Supreme Court and all its complexities are very impressive.  I’ll admit that I don’t know as much about our Nation’s court system as maybe I should … and I bet that’s the case for a lot of us.  Nina understands that.  She did a great job of giving the audience a “Supreme Court 101” while interjecting anecdotes as only someone with the experience of Nina Totenberg can.

We enjoyed learning from three very provocative, insightful and just plain smart speakers during this year’s conference.  Thanks to all of them!

Posted by: Tom Ramaeker

Accepted … Yes. Financially Prepared … Maybe!

I have felt a strong personal connection to this session topic for some time.  My experience as a financial aid administrator and delivering borrower education presentations on behalf of Access Group has taught me how little prospective students know about financing their graduate education.  They are literally unprepared financially for the journey on which they are about to embark.

Many graduate students, at such a young age, are already dealing with financial distress and are under tremendous pressure both financially and academically.  Certainly, the stress from their financial situation hurts their ability to focus and be successful while in school.

The time they spend in school is so short, relative to the rest of their lives, and yet is so valuable. The choices they make, financial and otherwise, leading up to and during their time in school are extremely important as it will affect them for many years to come. 

As financial aid administrators and graduate loan specialists, together we have the tools to help them.  The trick is getting them to listen and hear what we have to teach them.

Tony Sozzo, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs at New York Medical College and Reyes Aguilar, the Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law are two seasoned FA professionals.  They presented innovative delivery methods to create ways of reaching their prospective students.

As an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education quoted several months ago … “e-mail is for old people”.  While I’m not sure that statement is necessarily accurate, it is becoming increasingly challenging to reach our students, most of whom fall in the millennial generation.  We have to get creative these days to capture prospective students’ attention. 

The fact is, iPhones, iPods, the iTouch and a whole world of smart phones and PDA’s are considered to be the preferred method of delivery for this generation.  The use of podcasts, vodcats, and blogs can be a very effective way of sending pertinent and important messages to our students.  

Tony and Reyes talked to us about podcasting and webcasting as two great ways for us to communicate with our specific audiences with brief, succinct and valuable messages. 

Posted by: Jennifer Trauman

The Impact of Credit Legislation on Graduate Students

Credit card use has been a part of college student life for many years.  Now, aid officers need to understand that recent credit card legislation intended to restrict student access to credit cards will ultimately affect students in graduate and professional schools, who often rely on credit cards to pay for expenses such as exam fees, job interviews, and residency applications that aren’t covered by financial aid.  Some students also use credit cards to finance basic living expenses while in school. 

Peter Osborne, Management Consultant and Founder of Bulldog Management Solutions pointed out some troubling statistics.

· Most students have credit cards, but more than 12% of them are delinquent on their account.

· 33% have never discussed their credit issues with their parents. 

· 84% would welcome more educational information to help them better understand their problem and solve it.

If students are reluctant to approach their parents with this type of problem, who will they turn to for guidance and advice?  Why not us? 

Peter also spoke to the group about some of the new laws in place to protect the consumer against:

· Unexpected rate increases.

· Rate increases on existing balances.

· Unauthorized over-limit fees. (Consumers must now opt-in and agree to the fee in order to charge over their limit. Those who opt-out will have their transactions rejected if they exceed their credit limits, thus avoiding over-limit fees.)

· Unfair payment allocation. (When consumers have accounts that carry different interest rates for different types of purchases - i.e., cash advances, regular purchases, balance transfers or ATM withdrawals - payments in excess of the minimum amount due must go to balances with higher interest rates first.)

There is so much more to understand about credit card debt.  Going forward, as we counsel our students on financial matters, it will become increasingly important to address students’ credit card usage in the process.

Posted by: Lori Moore

Recession Busting with Jean Chatzky

Jean Chatsky, personal finance expert, spoke on “The Difference:  How Anyone Can Prosper in Even the Toughest Times” [also the title of her new book] and how individuals can make the difference in their own lives. 

 

Jean’s comments are especially relevant, not just because each of us is interested from a personal perspective, but because so many of us are involved in influencing the financial decisions of students.   

 

She has a very approachable style and creates an environment that makes people feel comfortable to ask questions, knowing they are going to receive insightful, direct and helpful responses.  In one response, she acknowledged that she realizes her financial situation is different and that the decisions she makes aren’t necessarily the correct decisions for others – that each of us has our own values and that our financial decisions should align with those values.

 

Some of her ideas that caught my attention:

· Spending money on experiences brings more long-term personal rewards than spending money on things.  For example, spending money on a special vacation or celebratory event will mean more to you in the future than spending money on a material item.

· Saving money is not fun because there isn’t an immediate gratification.  So we need to visualize in specific terms what we are saving for.  For example, don’t think of saving for “Retirement”.  Develop a specific visual picture of something concrete related to your retirement – such as your mortgage-free home, a vacation house, or being able to enjoy your favorite past-time.  It is fun to have savings!

 

 

Jean’s first book (Make Money, Not Excuses) was based on the concept of Four Steps to Wealth.  They are …

1.    Make a decent living,

2.    Spend less than you make,

3.    Invest what you don’t spend for the long-term, and

4.    Protect your financial life with insurance and an estate plan.

 

After that book, she started researching an answer to the question – Why is it that some people are better able to achieve financial success than others?  The concepts she developed based on her research include:

 

Four Types of People:

1.     Wealthy (3%)

2.     Financially Comfortable (37%)

3.     Living Paycheck-to-Paycheck (55%)

4.     Further-in-debtors (15%)

 

Eight things that make the difference:

1.  Happiness/Optimism

2.  Resilience

3.  Connectedness

4.  Passion*

5.  Intuition

6.  Habitual Saving

7.  Invest in Stocks

8.  Gratitude:  The Karma Kickback

 

*Specific to Passion, Jean talked about the two choices to pursue this.

Choice 1:

• Pinpoint your passion (If you aren’t sure what this is think back to what gave you great joy when you were 10 or 11 years old.),
• Figure out if you can do it better than it is being done now, and
• Know whether you can make money at it.

If you can’t make money out of your passion, it should just be a hobby. 

So, Choice 2 advises:

• Love what you are doing,
• Look for the autonomy in your work, and
• Fake it till you make it. (Yes, it works and it makes a big difference in how others perceive you.)

Check out Jean’s blog where you’ll find great tools like the Holiday Budget Calculator and the Debt Diet Online.

 

Posted by: Tim Balfour

Implications of FAFSA Simplification

Dan Madzelan, Acting Assistant Secretary for Post-Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, presented on the topic of FAFSA simplification.

 

The Department of Education has announced ways to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  According to Dan, the revised 2010-2011 FAFSA will streamline the application process by dramatically reducing the number of questions to be completed by the applicant. 

 

This will be accomplished in two ways …

 

1.    By using skip logic within the online application form, presumably allowing the student to only answer questions pertinent to his or her situation. (i.e., date of birth will determine age eligibility for independent  status)

2.    By implementing the option for electronic retrieval of tax data from the IRS to populate the appropriate FAFSA fields.  Unfortunately, 2010-2011 applicants will not have access to their IRS data until July 1, 2010. (Well beyond the time that schools require the FAFSA data for the 2010-11 academic year.)

 

Further FAFSA simplification will require new legislation, but has attracted support from Congress and the general public however; it has many financial aid officers concerned. Implementing the IRS data retrieval would increase interest in requiring “prior-prior” year tax information (rather than waiting until prior year taxes are completed and processed).  Also, elimination of asset and income questions not currently on the IRS forms could impact the expected contribution for students and parents.

 

Dan told our audience that the primary use of the FAFSA will be to gather eligibility criteria for both Pell grants and the subsidized student loans.  The goal of these proposals is to encourage more applicants on the undergraduate level.   Graduate/professional schools may still desire supplemental data if this legislation is passed.

 

There are a number of resources online regarding this topic … the question and answer section on the NASFAA site is particularly helpful.

 

 

Posted by: Sue Ledwell

Tuesday is looking good too!

Despite a foggy start to the day, according to weather.com, we should still have a nice day and a great evening for tonight's trip to EPCOT!! 

 

 

The Effect of the Economic Crisis on Professional Judgment Issues

 Communication was the overall theme while discussing the effect of the economic crisis on professional judgment issues. The panel John Ahlers, Eileen Doyle, Melanie Nutt and Priscilla Parker all sounded the communication bell.

Communicate with:

• your students
• other offices on campus, i.e. Career Services, Admissions, Alumni, Dean of Students
  
  

Panelists are reaching out to students in writing and in person trying to stress the message "come to us before you are in trouble."

Students are experiencing the financial hardship.  Both the recently admitted and soon to be entering as well as the alumni, recent and long since heard from….

Audience members concurred with the presenters stating they have experienced a growing number of leave of absences on campus and more admitted students asking for extensions.

The moral of the story...the economic crisis is affecting graduate students.  I think the panelists are on the right track, get ready to communicate!

 

Posted by: Lori Moore

Student Lending ... Did I Hear Optimism?

Brett Lief, President of NCHELP, provided the Industry Update this morning entitled the New World of Student Lending.  After months (or has it been years) of pessimistic news regarding the student loan industry, Brett’s presentation contained a bit of optimism.  The possibility of a bill being introduced in Congress by the end of the week to extend ECASLA, and thus FFEL was the highlight of the session.

 

Brett admitted that FFEL as we knew it in 2006 is gone and will not return but the door may not be closing as fast as we once thought.  As student lending legislation is continually being pushed back by the health care debate, Washington is becoming increasingly concerned about the affect on 2010 elections if fallout occurs with school’s mandatory conversion to Direct Lending.  As Brett mentioned, the proposed deadline for conversion of July 1, 2010 translates into a practical deadline of February due to financial aid packaging timelines which does not allow the remaining thousands of schools much time to convert. 

 

NCHELP is currently working on an alternative loan proposal which has garnered support from several democratic senators that would save and preserve school choice and services.  This proposal is less concerned about how lenders receive their funds and more about continuing the valuable services provided by FFEL.  Brett urged everyone to speak up as private individuals or through their professional associations.

 

The session closed with a poignant question ... are we looking at a delay of the inevitable and what signs should we look for that FFEL may survive in some form?  Brett responded that the first sign of hope for some kind of FFEL survival would be the passage of a bill to extend ECASLA so stay tuned.

Posted by: Kim Siwarski

Another Lovely Day in Orlando

According to The Weather Channel ... we're in for a great day.  Let's hope these few clouds don't get in the way of today's Space Shuttle launch!

Visit weather.com for more about today's forecast ...

 

   

"We're All in the Same Gang" Keynote Address by Mr. Edward James Olmos

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure. That was the central theme of Edward James Olmos’ keynote speech tonight to Access Group conference attendees.

The disease that Olmos was addressing tonight was the rate that students, particularly students of color, drop out of school and, thus, potentially never get the opportunity to knock on the doors of the financial aid offices we typically inhabit at the graduate/professional level.

What is the root of this problem and what can we do as a society to prevent it? He stated that a B.A. today is like a high school diploma of the past … he’d love to see the doors of graduate/professional education open for more students.

We are all part of one race, Olmos emphasized, the human race. No matter where you come from or the color of your skin, we all want our children to be successful.

What I took away from his keynote speech tonight is that you have to see yourself represented in the success you desire in order to be successful. Children have to see what is possible by having strong role models. We have to do more to let children know at a young age that they can accomplish their dreams instead of giving up on them (and giving up on school with them!).

No matter who you are or what you look like, you can be an inspiration. Teaching doesn’t have to happen in a classroom. You can lead by example and show a young person the possibilities in front of them. I, for one, am going to return home with a renewed sense of purpose and a stronger desire to get involved with my niece’s elementary school to see how I can help those kids get on the right path. That … and watch “The Cove” because Edward James Olmos wants me to.

Posted by: Sheryl Reinschmidt

Financial Aid 101 – Sunday, November 15, 2009, 1pm – 5pm

Presented by:

Tara Olsen, Director of Financial Aid, Tufts University School of Medicine

Gina Soliz, Director of Financial Aid, Syracuse University College of Law

Jeff Hanson, Director of Borrower Education Services, Access Group

 

 

It almost seems impossible to summarize the Financial Aid 101.  The sheer amount of information disseminated during this 4-hour session was remarkable.  I really wish I had known a lot of this information when I was a first-year grad student. Better understanding what I was getting into would have probably alleviated some of the stress of signing on the dotted line those many years ago.

As a relative new-comer to Access Group and the world of financial aid, it was a great idea for me to attend this session.  I feel like I learned a lot … not enough … but a lot.  All three of these presenters have an impressive wealth of knowledge and expertise.  Tara, Gina and Jeff really explained the information in such a way that made it easy to follow and understand, even for a newbie like myself. They broke it down as follows:

· Overview of Student Aid Programs

· Historical Background of the Title IV Programs

· The Application Process

· Student Eligibility

· The Cost of Attendance

· Federal Methodology

· Financial Literacy and Loan Counseling Requirements

· Professional Judgment

· The Legislative Process

As I’m not a financial aid administrator, I took a few different things away from this session.

First … the trend to counsel students, not only on their loans and repayment, but also in the areas of financial literacy and debt management is awesome.  I love the idea that lenders and schools are both investing in the future financial well-being of the students.   And I feel great about my new role in that process as an employee of Access Group.  Hopefully what I do will help these important lessons reach their audience.

Second … financial aid is wonderful as it provides access to postsecondary education to individuals regardless of their economic situation. 

And lastly … financial aid is complicated, really complicated. Those who are responsible for understanding, administering, and communicating these programs deserve a lot of credit and respect.

To download a copy of the presentation from this session, click “Conference Materials for Download” located to the right under the “Reference” section.

Posted by: Libby Rosenberg

Today's Forecast in Beautiful Orlando, FL

If you’ve already arrived here in Orlando, you know what a gorgeous day it is. 

For those of us from climates that are typically chilly this time of year, it’s a nice reprieve from the cold.  For a few days we can forget that winter is on its way.  

 

According to The Weather Channel, today will be sunny with a high temperature of 81 degrees and tonight’s low will be 56 degrees with a few passing clouds.  That sounds just about perfect to me.

 

Below is the current radar image for the Orlando area.  For a more detailed forecast, visit weather.com.

Posted by: Libby Rosenberg

 

 

A Message from Access Group’s Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer: Vivian Bowden

Those of you who know me know that the Access Group Conference is my favorite professional event of the year.  Why? First, it’s a great chance to reconnect with so many of my friends and longtime colleagues.  It is hard to imagine that some of you have attended our conference for 22 years! I guess that makes me a rookie, since this is only my 16^th conference.  Second, I’ve learned so much from all of you throughout the years.  Thanks for helping make this a wonderful event year after year.

Over the past two decades, we’ve celebrated the new millennium at the Greenbrier, watched armadillos race in San Antonio, ate alligator in Florida, and enjoyed our own Access Hollywood Party in Palm Springs where Tom Cruise showed up (thanks Bill Perez for the giggles).  And who could forget all the Mrs. Howells walking around at our Gilligan’s Island party?  We’ve also have enjoyed many nationally-recognized speakers, with Paul Begala, Mark Shields, Michelle Singletary, Alison Levine and Kevin Carroll being a few of my favorites.  Now, I’m looking forward to seeing you again at the beautiful JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes in Orlando Florida in just a few days.

We’re so pleased to be welcoming you to this year’s conference. We’ve been working with our volunteer conference planning committee for months on sessions that offer great educational content. We also have an impressive line-up of nationally-known general session speakers which I can’t wait to hear. I know I’m dating myself, but I’ve been a big fan of Edward James Olmos since his days on Miami Vice. Currently, he serves as the U. S. Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF and works as a humanitarian activist, in addition to his work as an actor, director and producer. I’m also a big fan of NPR’s Nina Totenberg and the Today Show’s Jean Chatzky, so you’ll find me sitting in the front for all of these general session events.

The conference is only a few days away, so, as you can imagine, we’re busy preparing to make sure everything is just the way you like it when you step up to our conference registration desk. I know I speak for everyone here at Access Group when I say we’re so pleased that you’re joining us for our 22^nd Annual Graduate and Professional Financial Aid Conference!

Posted by: Vivian Bowden

“The Supreme Court and Its Impact on You” with Nina Totenberg: Tuesday, November 17 @ 1:00 p.m.

Is there anyone who needs an introduction to this speaker?  I’m sure we’re all looking forward to hearing from Nina Totenberg.  She’s an American legal affairs correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR).  Her reports air regularly on NPR's newsmagazines All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition.

She is also a panelist on the syndicated TV political commentary show Inside Washington, not to mention she’s a frequent contributor to The New York Times Magazine, The Harvard Law Review, The Christian Science Monitor, Parade Magazine, New York Magazine, and others.

Newsweek says, "The mainstays [of NPR] are “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.” But the creme de la creme is Nina Totenberg."

Nina Totenberg has won numerous awards, including being named Broadcaster of the Year and being honored with the 1998 Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from the National Press Foundation, the first radio journalist to receive the award.

Totenberg will be sharing her perspectives on legal issues affecting the lives of every American.  This is a real treat and something we won’t want to miss.  Will she share her views on the “new’ Supreme Court? Where is the Court heading? How is our legal landscape changing?  

 I had the opportunity to introduce Ms. Totenberg once before, at the BENCH PRESS symposium in Washington D.C. a few years ago, and her talk on the symposium topic, The Intersection of the Judiciary, Politics and the Media, was timely, insightful and profound. 

See you on Tuesday at lunch for her talk.

Posted by: Hannah Arterian

Monday Night Dinner Suggestions

It’s been forever since I’ve been to Orlando, so I’m really looking forward to seeing a bit of the town on Monday night. (That’s our “evening on our own.”) 

I love to travel … And we all know that the best part of travelling is sampling the local cuisine, right?  So, I’ve been scanning Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide and of course, consulting an Orlando native for places to eat.

Here are three solid recommendations we’ve come up with … 

 

1.    Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar (9101 International Drive, Orlando FL, 32819, (407) 226-1600)

Ø  OK, I confess.  Cuba Libre has a Philadelphia location that I’ve been to more than a couple of times.  I’m a big fan of the Paella Nueva and the Plato Gaucho (which is for two, so bring a friend).  I found a few online reviews in case you’d like to do a little research of your own.

2.    Seasons 52  (7700 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, (407) 354-5212)

Ø  Seasons 52 is a casually sophisticated grill and wine bar with a seasonally changing menu that strives to serve dishes that focus on the best of each season. Their dinner menu looks great, especially the caramelized sea scallops … Yum. By the way, just in case you are looking for this … they have an entire gluten free menu with lots of options.

3.    Emeril’s Orlando (6000 Universal Blvd. #702, Orlando, FL 32819, (407) 224 2424

Ø  The readers of Orlando Magazine rank Emeril’s Orlando at Universal Studios' CityWalk as the city's "#1 Restaurant at a theme park."  Only in Orlando is that a category on the city’s best list.  Check out the dinner menu.  It looks awesome and has something for just about everyone. Personally, there are about 4 things on that menu that look perfect.  I think all of this research has made me hungry.

 

If these three don’t spark your interest, check out Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide for yourself.  I’m sure you’ll find what you’re craving.

Posted by: Libby Rosenberg

Photo Caption: International Drive at Night. 

Photo courtesy of Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.®

 

Perspective from “Inside the Beltway”: An Industry Update from Brett Lief

What’s next for the student loan programs and how can schools cope with the changes?

Are you wondering (like I am):  What’s happening in Washington? How is the Department of Education going to get everyone in the Direct Program by July 1, 2010 if SAFRA passes? What about all the new regulations resulting from CCRAA and HEOA? How are we to cope with all the changes?

Well, Brett Lief is one person who may have some great insights and I’m really looking forward to hear what he has to say in his Industry Update at the upcoming Access Group Graduate and Professional Financial Aid Conference.

Many of you know Brett, but in case you don’t…

· He’s currently President of the National Council of Higher Education Loan Programs, Inc. (NCHELP), check out their site at www.nchelp.org.

· Prior to NCHELP, he served as Assistant Vice President for Student Aid Policy and Regulatory Affairs for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).

· Before joining NAICU, he served as the Deputy Executive Director of the New Jersey Department of Higher Education.

We all have so many questions and Brett Lief is the guy with the answers.  Be sure to attend his Industry Update session after breakfast on Monday, November 16^th @ 8:30.  Don’t worry. I’m sure you can bring your coffee with you.

Posted by: Jeff Hanson

My Favorite Time of Year …

For most people, at least here on the East Coast, autumn means a love affair with the beauty of the changing leaves, the magic of a pumpkin patch, and the beginning of cozy sweater weather.  Well, for me… not so much.  Don’t get me wrong, nobody likes a turtleneck more than I do, and I always manage to notice the trees and buy a gourd or two every year. 

But those harbingers of the season are mere periphery in comparison to my own autumn love affair.  You see, this year marks my 20th anniversary.  Of my marriage?  Umm, 'fraid not, but I'll save that for a different blog.  Yes, my entire fall has been spent with the love of my professional life: Access Group's Annual Conference.  

Sure, I've planned loads of other events, meetings, conventions, and even weddings, but THIS, you see, has always been my sweetheart.  I've snuggled up with every detail of it, lied awake at night with worry over it, got in fights on behalf of it, but in the end, it has rewarded me with two decades of countless joys, and ok, intermittent indigestion.  But I ask you, what strong, loving relationship doesn't come with both?

So, as this last week of preparation gears up as autumn once again winds down, allow me to share the Top 5 things I am most looking forward to next week... in no particular order...

1. Working with the JW Marriott staff.  It is always an adventure to work directly with the people who are charged with helping make your needs a reality.  And they NEVER look like you expect they will after talking with them on the phone for 3 months.  For some reason, they always look blonder in person.  I can't figure out why I think everyone is brunette over the phone.  Hmm.
2. Seeing Edward James Olmos in the flesh!  I'm a huge Battlestar Gallactica fan, and the anticipation of seeing Admiral Adama on not only our stage, but on our PLANET, has me positively giddy!  (Fellow BG fans, you know exactly what I'm talking about!)  I know... I know... he is so much more than a TV star, but this is MY list, and I'm stoked!
3. Sitting down to eat once the general session speakers are up and running.  At that point, the agita from my nervous energy subsides enough to quietly hit the buffet and join one of your tables for a bite.  (I'm Italian-American... as is the word "agita".  It means heartburn, but it’s so much cooler to say.  Try it the next time someone "agitates" you into acid reflux.  Get it now?!)
4. Greeting those I only have the sincere delight of seeing once a year.  Many of you wonderful people are a big part of my own personal history.  Can't wait for my big hug, Carl Eging!
5. And finally, what I have always and will always look forward to most is making sure you get the best conference experience possible.  That you enjoy it as much as I do.  That you learn what you need from it, and mark your calendars for the next time.  Who knows… maybe you’ll start a 20-year relationship.  But, whatever you do, don't fall in love... this bad boy is all mine.

Posted by: Cynthia Sibley

A Gift for Teaching

For 10 years now, Access Group has selected a charitable organization to benefit from the generosity of our truly caring attendees.  This conference staple began in 1999 when our attendees literally built a "Habitat for Humanity."  Not sure how many of you recall The Greenbrier conference, but I know that for me, building that house alongside the attendees will always be a memory I will cherish.  

Though admittedly on a much smaller scale, this year's conference charity reminds me a lot of that very first experience.  It's about helping build a future.  Before “A Gift for Teaching” was selected as the 2009 charity, I personally never thought that so many children go without basic school supplies in our own public schools.  But after speaking with the truly wonderful folks at AGFT, I know this to be the case, and I know that I want to be part of doing something to help.  I hope you will, too.

If this is the first you're reading about this organization, let me tell you how it works.  A Gift for Teaching provides free school supplies to teachers at public schools in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.  Items are donated by various companies, local businesses, and individuals. Eligible teachers can then "shop" at the warehouse free of charge on a pre-determined schedule, so that their students will have the supplies that they need to make their learning experience successful.  It's a simple concept that really has big rewards. 

So, please consider tossing a children's book, some crayons or colored pencils, or any other art or school supply in your suitcase as you pack for the trip.  Monetary donations will also be accepted and encouraged at the conference.  No child should miss out on a chance to succeed merely because they don’t have the proper tools.  Thanks.

 

Posted By: Cynthia Sibley

 P.S. If you can’t make it to the conference this year, but would still like to support A Gift for Teaching, you can donate online right from their site … www.agiftforteaching.org.

 

 

“Recession Busting” with Jean Chatzky: Monday, November 16th @ 1:30 p.m.

Financial guru, Jean Chatzky has a standing engagement on NBC’s Today Show and my morning preparations for work - delivering her insights on personal finance.  Her basic philosophy is ... as she puts it … “if you want to own your life, you have to own your money.” 

So simple, and yet, so insightful … Her advice is real, it’s actionable, it’s realistic and it’s practical.  She helps Americans address their financial issues and offers advice on personal finance ranging from budgeting and planning to most recently, her focus on helping Americans tackle debt with her book, “Pay It Down.” 

Access Group’s mission includes teaching students about financially literacy.  Our WiseBorrower^® educational series helps the organization deliver on the promise of helping every student become an “owner” of his or her money.  I am very much looking forward to hearing Jean, in person, discuss her insights on the current economic challenges.  I know I will bring her insights back to my school and my teaching.

See you soon. RM

 

Posted by: Rick Matasar

It’s November 4 ... do you know where your EPCOT ticket is?

There’s less than a week left to order your tickets for “An Evening at EPCOT” on Tuesday, November 17.  Orders must be placed by Tuesday, November 10, so don’t miss out. 

Already, approximately 100 people will be joining the fun. 

 

 

 

For your $100 ticket price, you’ll receive:

· Transportation to and from EPCOT;

· “After 4PM” ticket to the park;

· Dinner at Odyssey in the World Showplace Pavilion. 

 

Dinner is from 6:30 – 7:30 PM and is buffet-style, so feel free to eat and run, or enjoy a nice leisurely dinner.  

Of course, EPCOT’s fireworks extravaganza, “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” is not to be missed, and won’t be … when you join your colleagues for this magic-filled evening!  (Tip: Stake your claim to a great viewing area around the World Showcase Lagoon about a half-hour before show time.  The view from the terrace at the Rose & Crown Pub in the United Kingdom is smashing!)

If you haven’t been to EPCOT for awhile … or ever … the tone is a tad lighter these days.  They’ve changed it up a bit, and aren’t taking themselves as seriously as I remembered from years back.  Soarin’ and Test Track are MUSTS. 

The November time period makes for very light crowds.  The time will fly by once you enter the gates, so it’s not a bad idea to do a little EPCOT research before you go.  Figure out what you want to do and where it’s located, so you can hit the ground running.

Call or e-mail us now to book your ticket(s), and experience the "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow"! 

 

Posted by: Cynthia Sibley

 

P.S. Don’t forget to contact Karen Williams, kwilliams@accessgroup.org, for booking or more information.

"We're All in the Same Gang": Keynote Address by Edward James Olmos

 

Following dinner Sunday night, we’re all in for a big treat. And I don’t mean dessert.  I don’t know about you, but it’s not every day that I have the privilege of hearing an Oscar nominated actor speak.  Not to mention a director, producer, humanitarian activist, U.S. Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF … and the list goes on.

Edward James Olmos, now an extremely accomplished humanitarian as well as actor, grew up in Los Angeles wanting to be a professional baseball player. (I wonder who he likes in the World Series this year.) 

He’ll be talking to us about celebrating the diverse cultural contributions to our communities and schools, and how despite our individual ethnicities and cultures, we are all in the same “gang”.  While visiting his website, I came across this great video of him addressing 100 high school students at the United Nations.  His passion is simply contagious.   I’m truly looking forward to his keynote address. 

Posted By: Dan Burr

P.S. Following his address, All Access will post a summary.  If you can’t make it to the conference this year, be sure to check back to hear all about it.

Only VIP's get this kind of "Access"!

Welcome to the very first post of the All Access blog, your backstage pass to Exploring the New World of Financial Aid, the 2009 Access Group Graduate and Professional Financial Aid Conference.

Leading up to and throughout the 2009 Conference, this blog will provide you with …

· Sneak peeks into the featured speakers’ discussion topics … sessions you won’t want to miss

· Fun suggestions and daily weather forecasts to help you plan your free time (should you have any J)

· Important reminders and conference details from Access Group’s diligent planning team

· Timely session recaps  brought to you by Access Group staff

· Video and photos  from the conference

Whether you’re already preparing for our conference or you're not able to join your colleagues this year, the All Access blog will keep you up-to-date and informed about conference news and session content. 

We hope you find this site both useful and educational (and maybe even a little fun).   New posts are published daily, so keep checking back.

Please feel free to post comments and let us know what’s on your mind.  Just click on “comments” below each post and complete the “Post a Comment” form.  It's easy.

Think of this blog site as one more instrument to help us all Explore the New World of Financial Aid.

Posted by: Libby Rosenberg