PDG Student Loans Conference

SUNDAY ~ NOVEMBER 8, 2009
1:00 - 6:00 pm (2:30-3:00 break)	Bursar Fundamentals Workshop Barry Greenberg Click on title to see description. (there is an extra charge of $99 to attend this workshop)	Collections 101 Workshop Carla Perez Click on title to see description. (there is an extra charge of $99 to attend this workshop)
3:00 - 6:00 pm	Exhibitor Registration and Setup
4:00 - 6:00 pm	General Conference Registration
6:30 - 8:00 pm	Opening Reception

MONDAY ~ NOVEMBER 9, 2009
7:30 - 8:30 am	Registration, Continental Breakfast & Exhibits Begin
8:30 - 9:00 am	Opening General Remarks Jason Beard, Professional Development Group, II
9:00 - 10:00 am	Keynote Session: Finding Your Stress-free Zone William Gentry, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University It doesn’t take but two missed text messages and a bad picture on face book to crush the adolescent day. We adults are a lot more resilient. We can face a bully for a boss, angry students and the co-worker that is plotting to get our job. At least we get to go home to – dishes, laundry, the children and a grumpy partner. Where is the stress free zone? At some point most of us feel like it is just too much having exhausted inadequate coping strategies. There are alternatives but it may be too simple to comprehend!
10:00 - 10:30 am	Networking Break
10:30 - 11:30 am	A/R From A to Z - Part 1, Orientation to Billing Jim Garrant, Wellesley College Who, when, how and where do we bill? Answers to these question along with methods of payment, late fees, transcript holds and effective receivable practices will be shared.	Student Retention Is Everyone's Responsibility Celeste Campbell, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University This presentation focuses on the importance of student retention and how it affects colleges and universities. Recent retention research is used to identify factors related to student retention and what can be done throughout the college/university community to improve student retention.
11:30 am - 12:30 pm	Luncheon
12:30 - 1:30 pm	A/R From A to Z - Part 2, Registration Holds to Collections Jim Garrant, Wellesley College Can we talk? - A discussion of past due accounts and what tools and policies get bills paid? What to do with a past due accounts? Registration holds or placement?	Financial Aid 101: Making $ense Out Of Financial Aid Raymond Nault, Wheaton College The economy has driven more families to consider financial aid as a source of financing higher education. The session will provide an overview on how students apply for financial aid, what type of aid is available and how it is awarded.
1:30 - 1:45 pm	Transition Break
1:45 - 2:45 pm	Maneuvering Around Bankruptcies Patti Bass, Bass & Associates In this session learn about dealing with bankruptcies and especially the effectiveness of having an appropriate "electronic financial responsibility statement" in warding off bankruptcy debt discharging.	Do's and Don'ts of Perkins Loans Lori Hartung, Todd, Bremer and Lawson This session offers an overview of the Federal Perkins loan due diligence requirements and suggested best practices in effectively managing the loan program. This overview will cover topics such as loan disbursement and exit interviews, cohort management, collection efforts and loan assignment. An excellent session for individuals new to the loan program, or a great refresher for those who want a review of the process.
2:45 - 3:15 pm	Networking Break
3:15 - 4:15 pm	Positively Dealing With Negative Customers Robert Alston, The College of New Jersey In this energetic interactive session, participants will focus on the value of positive mental attitudes, when dealing with negative customers. This session will emphasize the power of positive communication.	Converting to a 3rd Party Processor of Perkins Loans Bob Frick, University Accounting Service This session will give you some ideas about what you need to know and how to prepare for a conversion to a third-party billing servicer.

TUESDAY ~ NOVEMBER 10, 2009
8:00 - 8:30 am	Continental Breakfast & Exhibits
8:30 - 8:45 am	Opening Remarks Jason Beard, Professional Development Group, II
8:45 - 10:00 am	Department of Education Update Gail McLarnon, US Department of Education
10:00 - 10:30 am	Networking Break
10:30 - 11:30 am	The Absolute Latest on the "Red Flag Rules" Ray Miller, Todd, Bremer and Lawson	Nuts and Bolts of Skip-tracing Cary Geil, National Credit Management How and why do we skip trace? This session will give you ideas of some different types of skip tracing, what to do, and how to do it. We will also cover why it is so important to skip trace.
11:30 am - 12:30 pm	Luncheon
12:30 - 1:30 pm	Student Communication Strategies Celeste Campbell, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University This session focuses on strategies to enhance effective communication with students. A variety of communication methods will be discussed, as well as the importance of communication plans, message content design, and ensuring that college and university departments are well equipped for both outgoing and incoming communication with students.	Administering Affordability: Managing a Payment Plan In-house vs. Outsourcing This Operation Tanya Thorsen, Nelnet There is no doubt that payment plans can make higher education more affordable for your students. But have you been increasingly limited? The same budget cuts impacting the rising cost of tuition and fees are also biting into your resources. Can you afford to continue to manage your payment plan in house? Have you been forced to reduce the flexibility of your in-house program? Join us for a look at internal costs associated with offering an affordable tool for your students and a discussion of your options. There are ways to make this program more efficient for your school while increasing options for your students and families!
1:30 - 1:45 pm	Transition Break
1:45 - 2:45 pm	Banner User's Forum moderated by Jim Garrant, Wellesley College This will be a free-wheeling, anything goes session where you can bring up any question you have regarding Banner processing. If you don't have any questions, attend anyway and offer solutions. Nowhere else can you get an open forum to discuss Banner.	Transitioning From FFELP to Direct Loan: Direct Loan Basics Raymond Nault, Wheaton College Direct Loan volume has increased significantly during the last year. It is likely that FFELP will be going away soon and your institution may be included in the next wave of schools implementing Direct Loans. This session will focus on getting setup, process, student and staff perception and reconciliation.
2:45 - 3:15 pm	Networking Break
3:15 - 4:15 pm	Peoplesoft User's Forum moderated by Robert Alston, The College of New Jersey So instead of Banner, your school uses Peoplesoft. It's still the same open forum session as the Banner session except we'll be talking Peoplesoft.	Everything You Wanted to Know About FERPA But Were Afraid to Ask Barry Greenberg, Barry Greenberg Consulting Do not be afraid any longer. Everyone who attends the conference will be asked to submit a question(s) they may have regarding FERPA. It will be researched and an opinion provided during this session. Questions and answers will be on a first come-first served basis. Whether or not you choose to submit a question, do not pass up the opportunity to see and hear the results.

WEDNESDAY~ NOVEMBER 11, 2009
8:00 - 9:00 am	Plated Breakfast & Exhibits
9:00 - 9:15 am	Closing General Remarks
9:15 - 10:45 am	Last But Not Least Here's your opportunity to ask and respond/listen to questions about any outstanding topic. It's a final chance to pick up another nugget or two in a highly interactive and free-wheeling discussion before the conference ends.
10:45 am	Conference Concludes