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September 1998

SUMMARY:  This letter announces two federal student aid training events for High School Counselors to be presented in Fall 1998, lists the locations and dates for the events, and provides registration procedures.

Dear High School Counselor:

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is pleased to announce two student financial aid training events for High School Counselors to be presented this fall.  On Thursday, November 5, a videoconference will be presented from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (Eastern time).  In November and December, a series of one-day workshops will also be offered.  Both the videoconference and the workshops will provide federal student financial aid information to high school counselors who advise students and parents on financial aid for postsecondary education.  The videoconference and the training sessions will provide substantially the same information, although the workshop will expand on the topics presented during the videoconference.  We are providing both options so that you will be able to choose the videoconference or the workshop, depending upon which format and location are most convenient and accessible.

The Videoconference

A panel of financial aid experts from ED and postsecondary institutions will present the live videoconference on November 5.  The videoconference will be interactive, offering viewers the opportunity to use a toll-free number or FAX to question the panel of presenters.  The main topics of the videoconference will be:

• The 1999-2000 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (the FAFSA)
• The 1999-2000 FAFSA on the Web: the electronic alternative to apply for federal student aid
• How an expected family contribution (EFC) is calculated
• How schools "package" financial aid
• Current federal student aid resources, and
• Ideas for organizing a financial aid night

The videoconference can be viewed at the following times:

Eastern: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Central: 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.
Mountain: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Pacific:  10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

The videoconference will be broadcast on the following satellites:

KU Band Satellite:
Telestar 5 (97 degrees west), Transponder 15,
Vertical downlink frequency 11991 MHz.
Audio at 6.2 and 6.8

C Band Satellite:
Spacenet 3 (83 degrees west), Transponder 3,
Channel 5 Horizontal downlink frequency 3800 MHz.
Audio at 6.2 and 6.8

Enclosed is a form to register for the videoconference as a host (receiving) site.  If you can receive this videoconference, please complete the form, including the address of the building in which the videoconference will be viewed, and FAX it to the number at the bottom of the form.  We will compile a list of host sites and make the information available on our web site at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/announce/trng/ or, you may call The Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4FED AID (1-800-433-3243) to locate a receiving site close to you. If you wish to travel to another school to view the videoconference, please contact that school to let them know you will attend.

If you are unable to participate in the live videoconference, you may borrow a videotaped copy.  Please call 1-800-4FED AID (1-800-433-3243) after November 23 to borrow videotape that you can copy, before returning it to the FSAIC.

The Workshops

In addition to the videoconference, 33 one-day workshops will be conducted from mid-November through mid-December 1998 at various locations throughout the country (see the enclosed schedule.)  The training will be presented by a federal trainer and a college financial aid administrator.  The training will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at approximately 2:30 p.m.  There is no charge for the workshop or participant materials, but you will need to make your own arrangements for lodging, transportation, and meals.

The training will include the same topics addressed in the videoconference, but in more detail (see the enclosed agenda).  Topics include the process of applying for federal financial aid, including a review of the paper FAFSA and introduction to the FAFSA on the Web.  The training will also review the federal financial aid delivery system and how postsecondary schools determine financial aid awards.  The trainers will also discuss frequently asked questions from students and parents.

To register for a workshop, use a touch-tone telephone to call our toll-free number, 1-800-341-5682.  Enter the three-digit code assigned to that workshop.  If the workshop you select is not available, you will be asked to select another workshop.  After completing registration, you will be given a 10-digit confirmation number over the telephone.  This is the only confirmation you will receive.  As space is limited, please do not make any travel plans to attend until you are confirmed.

Participants do not need to bring anything to the training site.

If you have questions about the content of the videoconference or the workshops, or if you require special assistance, please call the Training Branch at 202-205-2667.  If you would like directions to the workshop site, please call the number listed on the workshop schedule.

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Education, I want to express our thanks and appreciation for your continued support for our training efforts.  We look forward to your participation in these training opportunities.

Sincerely,

Diane E. Rogers
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Student Financial Assistance Programs


Enclosures

Enclosure A

8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Session 1 - Introduction to Student Financial Assistance Programs and General Eligibility

Session 2 - Completing the 1999-00 Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA), and overview of FAFSA on the Web

Session 3 - Getting the Results

Session 4 - What Postsecondary Schools Do

Session 5 - Getting Help

Enclosure B

1999-00 High School Counselor
Workshop Schedule

Call 1-800-341-5682 to register

Code / Date / Location

001 - November 17, 1998
002 - November 18, 1998
003 - November 19, 1998
U.S. Dept. of Education
10 Causeway Street
3rd Floor, Room 343
Boston, MA 02222
617-565-8642

004 - December 8, 1998
005 - December 9, 1998
006 - December 10, 1998
U.S. Dept. of Education
75 Park Place - 12th Floor
New York, NY 10007
212-264-8012

007 - November 17, 1998
008 - November 18, 1998
009 - November 19, 1998
U.S. Dept. of Education
The Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East
Suite 513
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-656-5929

010 - December 7, 1998
011 - December 8, 1998;
U.S. Dept. of Education
7th and D Streets, S.W.
Room 4009
Washington, D.C. 20202
202-401-8422

012 - December 1, 1998
013 - December 2, 1998
014 - December 3, 1998
U.S. Dept. of Education
61 Forsyth Street, S W
18th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-562-6264

015 - December 1, 1998
016 - December 2, 1998
017 - December 3, 1998
U.S. Dept. of Education
111 North Canal Street
Room 1030
Chicago, IL 60606
312-886-8766

018 - December 1, 1998
019 - December 2, 1998
020 - December 3, 1998
U.S. Dept. of Education
1999 Bryan Street
Suite 2735
Dallas, TX 75201
214-880-2405

021 - December 15, 1998
022 - December 16, 1998
023 - December 17, 1998
U.S. Dept. of Education
7505 Tiffany Springs Parkway
Suite 500
Kansas City, MO 64153
816-880-4090

024 - November 17, 1998
025 - November 18, 1998
026 - November 19, 1998
U.S. Dept. of Education
1391 N. Speer Boulevard
Suite 800
Denver, CO 80204
303-844-3677 X125

027 - December 1, 1998
028 - December 2, 1998
029 - December 3, 1998
U.S. Dept. of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
Room 137
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-437-8845

030 - November 19, 1998
Sheraton Anaheim Park
1015 W. Ball Road.
Anaheim, CA 92805

031 - December 8, 1998
032 - December 9, 1998
033 - December 10, 1998
U.S. Dept. of Education
1000 Second Avenue
Suite 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
206-287-9840

Enclosure C

[[Enclosure C is also available as an Adobe Acrobat/.pdf file.]]

Videoconference Remote (Receiving) Site
Response Form

My school will receive " Videoconference for High School Counselors " on November 5, 1998, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (EST)

School: ____________________________________

Location (Building Name): _________________________________

Street Address: __________________________________

If your school or organization can host other high school counselors at your receiving site, please include the number of guests you can accommodate.

Number of Guests: ________

Site Coordinator or Contact Person at Your School:
(Note: This person will receive a site coordinator's package.)

Name: ___________________________________________
School: ________________________________________
Mailing Address: ____________________________________
UPS Address (no P.O. Box): _____________________________

City:_________________ State: ____ Zip Code: ______

Telephone:______________ FAX #:______________

Please complete this form and FAX it to
WALCOFF Associates
Attention: Dan Conway
(703) 934-9870