PDG Student Loans Conference

SUNDAY ~ NOVEMBER 11, 2007
3:00 - 6:00pm	Exhibitor Registration and Setup
4:00 - 6:00pm	General Conference Registration
6:00 - 7:30pm	Opening Reception

MONDAY ~ NOVEMBER 12, 2007
7:30 - 8:30am	Registration, Continental Breakfast & Exhibits Begin
8:30 - 9:00am	Opening General Remarks Jason P. Beard - President & CEO, Professional Development Group II, Inc.
9:00 - 10:00am KEYNOTE SESSION	Building A Bridge Over Troubled Water How can institutions in Higher Education remain relevant? How can Universities enhance their competitive advantage? The answers are evident in the willingness of universities to transform themselves and to embrace change. Dean Akande maintains that what Universities are should never change but how they deliver their mission should always be changing. Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande – Webster University
10:00 - 10:30am	NETWORKING BREAK
10:30 - 11:30am CONCURRENT SESSIONS	Customer Service Customer service is not just for the local retailer or supermarket. It is important for institutions of higher learning, particularly in today’s highly competitive environment. Everyone should consider what customer service means in the context of their organization. So, prepare to receive as well as give 2 cents worth of winning approaches to providing outstanding customer service. You might be surprised where it can lead. Barry Greenberg – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville	Increasing your institutional loan (dollar) amounts while helping students stay in school It’s amazing how many schools don’t charge interest on their short-term loan funds, TAMU offers what is called a Renegotiated Repayment Plan. The Debt Recovery Specialist will work with them to negotiate a payment amount, and then the loan is set up on installments for repayment. It’s a unique way to help the institution recover it’s funds and allow the student to avoid a bad credit report. Mary Garcia – Texas A&M University
11:30am - 12:45pm	LUNCHEON
12:45 - 1:45pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS	Collection Techniques Helping a student maintain a positive experience during their time at your College or University can be a challenge. Collecting money owed for that time in an appropriate way can be that much more difficult, especially knowing that today’s students are tomorrow’s alumni donors. This session will focus on a variety of in-house, due-diligence techniques regarding debt collection. Using these techniques should help increase collection while lowering the number of accounts requiring third-party collection, all without severing ties between the student and the institution. Linda Winslow – Clark University	Ways to collect your receivables instead of writing them off or placing with a collection agency TAMU has had great success in this program. When we begin collecting on the receivables, we give the students time to sign a Temporary Repayment Agreement to pay monthly on the balance and if they return the form within a certain amount of time, we will set the receivables up on installments. As long as they make their payments, this will report favorably on their credit reports but if they don’t they can’t blame us, this also protects TAMU in case the borrower files bankruptcy. Mary Garcia – Texas A&M University
1:45 - 2:00pm	TRANSITION BREAK
2:00 - 3:00pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS	Collecting Receivables versus Loans, an Agency Perspective The focus of this session is to identify what makes a Loan and what makes an Account Receivable; and ultimately, the difference in collecting on these two different types of accounts. Is one easier than the other? Is due diligence required/necessary? So bring your questions and plan to share your ideas and thoughts. Paul Mello (New Orleans) Billi Tilly (Long Beach) – Windham Professionals	Mandatory Federal Perkins Loan Assignments A look at the new regulation and what you can do to prepare your Perkins loan portfolio for assignment. Lori Hartung – Todd, Bremer & Lawson
3:00 - 3:30pm	NETWORKING BREAK
3:30 - 4:30pm	Compliance in the Changing Student Loan World The session will review the new regulations and guidelines impacting student loan offerings at your school, as well as practical suggestions for compliance. In addition the session will seek to provide guidance on all questions regarding the new regulations including: What constitutes an inducement or improper remuneration? How can a school create and present its lender list and loan options in a manner that provides the transparency and choice these new regulations demand? What are the pitfalls to avoid? What practical options are available to ensure that students and families are presented with the most affordable options possible taking into account their specific financial situation? Sponsored by Tuition Management Systems

TUESDAY ~ NOVEMBER 13, 2007
8:00am	Continental Breakfast & Exhibits
8:30 - 9:45am GENERAL SESSION	Department of Education Update Gail McClarnon – US Department of Education
9:45 - 10:00am	BREAK
10:00 - 11:00am GENERAL SESSION	The Bankruptcy Reform Act-Implications For Non-Federal Aid David Stocker – Sallie Mae Debt Solutions
11:00 - 11:15	BREAK
11:15 - 12:15pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS	FERPA; It’s Not Just the Registrar’s Responsibility Do you know how the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affects how you deal with student information? If you don’t, it’s time to learn how compliance with this Federal law can be worked into your College or University department. This session focuses on the benefits of understanding FERPA and applying its requirements, making working in Student Financial Services easier. Linda Winslow – Clark University	How to Play the Cohort Game Learn rules and successful game playing strategy to help you win the Cohort Default Game. Lori Hartung – Todd, Bremer & Lawson
12:15 - 1:15pm	LUNCHEON
1:15 - 2:15pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS	Skiptracing – The MySpace Generation This session will explore the internet today, the top 10 people-finder tips and include a live internet session putting some of these tips to the test! Ann Barnowski – UCB Inc.	Quality Management How does your school monitor, or collect data on student needs? How are strategic objectives set and evaluated? Is your staff part of the process? What resources are provided for student assistance, and is your staff trained on how these tools work? Does your school value your product by having an educated staff? What do you do when your process breaks down? Rhonda Cobb – Henry Ford Community College
2:15 - 2:30pm	TRANSITION BREAK
2:30 - 3:30pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS	Fraud Think your department is immune to fraud? That, it won’t happen “here”; we “trust” our employees. Better think again! Too many campus departments believe their employees or students would NEVER commit fraud and are far too trusting. Learn about some common fraud schemes, ways to reduce opportunities to perpetrate fraud, and ideas to protect your University. Laurie Beets – Oklahoma State University	Building Working Relationships Who are you and how does your management style affect the outcome of goals and objectives? Who are you building working relationships with? Creating Office Culture Enjoying what you do and letting it show Modeling the way of continuous improvement Rhonda Cobb – Henry Ford Community College
3:30 - 4:00pm	NETWORKING BREAK
4:00 - 5:00pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS	Due Diligence for Campus Based Student Loan Programs Administered by the Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration Detailed overview of the due diligence process for the four loan programs administered by the Campus Based Branch of the Division of Health Careers Diversity and Development, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services. Proper due diligence will minimize institutional liability for uncollectible loans. Tyson Nakashima & Jim Essel - Campus Based Branch, Division of Health Careers Diversity and Development.	How To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft This session defines the different types of identity theft personally and professionally. It also helps you identity who is stealing your identity and the steps to take to prevent it. You will learn about the tools to protect yourself and also how to protect your students. The session provides you with the steps to take if you do become a victim. It ties in to all social security laws, GBLA, and FERPA. You also have an opportunity to take an interactive test to evaluate your own risk. Karen Reddick – National Credit Management

WEDNESDAY~ NOVEMBER 14, 2007
8:00am	CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & EXHIBITS
9:00 - 9:15am	CLOSING GENERAL REMARKS Jason P. Beard - President & CEO, Professional Development Group II, Inc.
9:15 - 10:45am	Best Practices in Collections and Communications Innovative methods and ways to effectively communicate with students to improve collections will be shared. Email etiquette is extremely important and tips will be provided. Laurie Beets – Oklahoma State University	Banner – The ultimate interactive opportunity to discuss converting to and dealing with your Banner system Be prepared to participate with all the questions, anecdotes, potential answers and well-earned experience you might have. This truly will be one of your best chances to learn about and contribute to that never-ending quest of maximizing the benefit to be derived from Banner. Barry Greenberg – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
10:45am	CONFERENCE CONCLUDES