Higher Education Assistance Group
News & Insights
Greetings!

The cost of college continues to be headline news – from why education is so expensive and what can be done about it to the amount of student debt and the programs and protections that can be developed to help college students graduate without debilitating loans. Two of our articles this month focus on these issues and provide you with the latest on the federal government’s legislation to make college more affordable, as well as best practices for developing a financial literacy program for your students. We also have tips and takeaways from the 2019 MASFAA conference – from chatbots and professional judgment cases to navigating the intricacies of institutional compliance in higher ed – the two-day event was a great opportunity to learn from some of the most knowledgeable experts in the industry.

As we head further into the holiday season, keep in mind that HEAG consultants are available to answer your questions and help with any unexpected issues that may arise. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need assistance.

-The HEAG Team
Creating a Financial Literacy Program: 5 Best Practices for Institutions
of Higher Education 
With student loan debt topping $1 trillion and a myriad of studies reporting a national lack of financial knowledge, there is a clear need to provide financial education outside the home. Institutions of higher education are uniquely positioned to provide this education. The U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) published a report this year to aid institutions that hope to create such a program. Learn about FLEC's recommendations, which are broken down into five best practices.
Creating a Financial Literacy Program: 5 Best Practices for Institutions of Higher Education
Higher Education Legislation -- What You Need to Know
Last winter, HEAG provided a summary of the two partisan bills the House Committee on Education and Labor introduced – the Republicans’ Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform Act (PROSPER) and the Democrats’ Aim Higher Act. At the time we felt the mid-term elections would likely result in new legislation being introduced – and we were right. On October 15, the Democratic members of the Committee introduced the College Affordability Act (CAA).Find out what the CAA and PROSPER have in common as well as what the differences are between the two bills.
Takeaways from the 2019 MASFAA Conference
Did you know that before the Toyota Corolla, there was the Toyota Corona? This is one of the many interesting facts I never thought I’d hear at the 50th Annual Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA). The two-day event “Honoring the Past, Treasuring the Present, Shaping the Future” was held at the Sheraton on November 14 th and 15 th in Springfield, MA. Always well attended, it’s the perfect event to discuss shop with some of the smartest minds in the country. In this blog post, HEAG Intake Coordinator and Senior Financial Aid Consultant Jeff Megargell provides highlights from the conference.
Takeaways from the 2019 MASFAA Conference
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