Region 1 Minutes

5/18/06

 

 

Attendees:

 

Michael Woodruff – BSC

Kevin Ryan-UB

Beverly Chudy-Hilbert

Lea Nicholson-Canisius

Michele Rizzo-Canisius

Maureen Fagen-AMS

Marc Woolf-Fifth Third Education Lending

Debbie Schubert-Trocaire

Terry Adamzyk-Trocaire

Yvonne Nagel-BSC

Jennifer Pollard-Nellie Mae

Leigh Fiorenzo- M & T Bank

Brent Mcenroe-UB

Paola Oshirak-Erie 1 Boces

Theresa Gieseke-Next Student

Jack Rafferty-HESC

Diane Kasprzak-Villa Maria

Bonnie Evans-HESC

Lynn Chilson-BSC

Warren Hoffman-BSC

Lisa Morrisom-BSC

Pam Steffan-BSC

Jeremy Corrente-SUNY Fredonia

Amy Beers-SUNY Fredonia

Megan Zeffalon-SUNY Fredonia

Daniel Tramuta-SUNY Fredonia

Sandy Stevenson-First Niagara

Stephanie Kindzia-BSC

Diane Sturzenbecker-Jamestown Business College

Rachel Barker-AFC

Carrie Newman-Nelnet

Kathy Michalski-NCCC

 

Meeting was called to order at 9:40 am.

 

Kevin Ryan welcomed all attendees and thanked Buff State for hosting the meeting.  Introductions were done.

 

Dan Tramuta introduced Jeremy Corrente as the new Financial Aid Counselor to SUNY Fredonia.

 

Kevin Ryan asked to review minutes from last meeting as minutes appeared to be incorrect.  Minutes will not be approved until corrections are done.  Please e-mail Sarah with any corrections after reading them.

 

Brent Mcenroe did treasury report:  Ending Balance as of April 11, 2006 = $3,541.48.

 

Rachel Barker did Exec. Council report:

 

 

Exec Council Report

4/20/06 & 4/21/06

 

 

 

Conference 2006 capped at 500

 

Day commuters capped at 50

 

501 will receive message indicating they are on a wait list, but ATAC cannot track wait list therefore conference registrant 502 will get registered if someone has gone in and cancelled: no consistency.

 

Lake Placid resort will handle all hotel registration:

 

            224 rooms @ Crown Plaza

            145 rooms @ Best Western

            Remainder @ Hilton

 

If more than 3 rooms booked under one name ATAC will contact Beth Turner and they will be placed at the overflow hotels.

 

Exec Council will be pre-registered

 

45 new rooms in the Crown Plaza

 

There will be space for 47 vendors: no additionals

 

Overflow hotels will offer continental breakfast so attendees do not have to rush to main hotel for breakfast.

 

Meals will be plated as buffet takes too long.

 

Tuesday is dinner on ice; lenders are asked not to invite clients out as they are having a great event and would like a good attendance.

 

Membership:  Joan Warren

 

            Membership up to 1405

            Membership increased due to workshops

            When completing invoices do not hit back button as it duplicates invoice and if 

error is made please complete process and then go back as this can also duplicate invoice.

 

Training:           Maria Barlaam

 

            *Jim Briggs was done in three areas: workshops were a big success

            *Maria wants to book Jim for the week next year

            *Possibly move to different locations to draw more people: example Region 2

            *Intermediate workshops at SUNY Brockport, good turnout

            *2nd intermediate workshop in Albany

            *3rd at Fordham

 

Judi Milidan:

 

            *Trademark for NYSFAAA was submitted prior to Exec Council Meeting

            *Judi did research on dates of when NYSFAAA Logo was established, letterhead

             and so on

 

Sharon Karowski:  State Fair

 

            15 groups have committed for State Fair

 

Sam Veeder:  Treasury

 

            Treasurers need to be more detailed with treasury.

            Regions are not being specific enough.

            Janet has a letter from the auditors that can be shared

            Talk about treasures being bonded, NYSFAAA should cover cost

All checks deposited should be marked: For Deposit Only.       May want to consider getting stamp for Region 1 with imprint of Deposit Only and account number.

Regions 2,3,7 received $800 Training

1 & 3 received Support Staff

 

 

CAAN looking at a name change…….Outreach/Early Awareness

 

Budgets due by 5/19……talk to Kevin

 

Looking to increase sponsorships from lenders fro Platinum/Gold

 

Discussions made about the conference in relation to the cap.  Region 1 as a whole not happy.  

 

Warren suggested the possibility of protesting the motion of the cap, Kevin will talk to Judi Milidan.

 

Carrie Newman asked if Joan Warren (membership VP) talked about extending the deadline of Registration, Carrie and Kevin will talk to Joan.

 

Carrie also recommended that we purchase a receipt book for any cash transactions that flow through the treasury.

 

Dan Tramuta asked if we should generate a policy/procedure manual for future treasurers as treasury issues have been brought to our attention.  Everyone in agreement.  We will pursue further.

 

Brent Mcenroe will purchase a receipt book along with a stamp “for deposit only”

 

Kevin did a proposal for the Admissions Financial Aid workshop held in Buffalo on June 26th and the budget was denied by Exec Council.  They feel that Region 1 has enough money in the treasury to fund the workshop.  It was suggested that we utilize our resources and then if money is needed to request from Council at that time. 

 

Some members of Region 1 expressed their concerns with Council denying the budget.

 

Kevin discussed how issues of NYSFAAA as a whole as the not for profit status could be at risk with contributions/donations from lenders.

 

Each Region was asked to submit a budget for 06-07 by May 19th 2006 to incorporate any and all activities to be held in their regions.

 

June meeting to be held on June 28th, 2006 on the Miss Buffalo Cruise from 11:30 – 2:30.

Registrati0On to begin soon via internet, lunch provided, cash bar available, cost per NYSFAAA member is $10, payments made payable to NYSFAAA Region 1.  Miss Buffalo Cruise is at the Erie Basin Marina, directions forthcoming, members only, RAIN OR SHINE!!

 

First Friday of August has been set for the annual jet boat ride.  Plan on getting WET!!!  No raincoats or swim caps allowed, wet/messy hair only!!!  J

 

NASFAA scholarship:  each lender is sponsoring a scholarship instead of prizes.

 

Lea Nicholson did the training update:

            Scott Lewis resigned as co-chair form the training committee as he is no longer employed with College Board.  Lea in search of a co-chair, any volunteers????  Survey Monkey will be utilized.

 

Kathy Michalski did an update of the Guidance Counselor Workshops, dates are set:

            Thursday 11/16/06 at Classics V

            Friday 11/17/06 at St. Bonaventure

Kathy is also looking for volunteers for the committee. Please contact her if interested.

 

Discussions were brought up about the Admissions workshop planned for June 26th,  great idea, everyone excited about piloting this workshop.  GO REGION 1!!!!!  Kevin did ask FA folks to go back to their offices and remind admissions folks to register.

 

Michele Rizzo did an update on the workshop:  registrants are allowed to put all staff on one from, she will send out confirmation ASAP, Lisa Morrison, Janet McGrath & Michel Rizzo doing registration.

 

Jack Rafferty did the HESC update, handouts provided.  Operational Workshops scheduled in July.  2nd annual HESC Symposium scheduled for 9/21 & 9/22 in Saratoga, mark your calendars.  (SEE ATTACHMENT #1)

 

Jennifer Pollard from Nellie Mae did a presentation on Debt Management.

We are all SEALS

            Select-Educate-Advocate-Liaten

Great job Jennifer, thank you!!

 

Dan Tramuta asked about the ACG & the Smart Grant.  Discussions were brought up about packaging and what were other schools doing.  There is to be a meeting held in Albany on 6/1, Dan will let Region 1 know the outcome.  State Ed Dept will have more info by 6/1. After 6/1 is there enough info to hold a conference call for discussion.

 

Meeting adjourned at 12:40pm.

 

See everyone on the 28th!!!!

 

 

Attachment #1: HESC UPDATE

 

 

HESC UPDATE

May 2006

 

2006-07 TAP Awards

 

HESC is pleased to announce that the 2006-07 TAP awards are now displayed on all inquiry screens and can be shared with students.  Please be advised that these awards have not yet been verified through Taxation and Finance. 

 

Beginning Friday, May 5, 2006, e-mails will be sent to all awarded and denied students directing them to the HESC website for award information and to submit changes on-line.   Students who are denied and have no e-mail address will be sent paper notification of their award denial.  No award certificates for approved students will be sent until income verification is completed later this month.

 

The first 2006-07 Student Status Listing was run on May 1, 2006, and were available for schools that evening.

 

Hold the Date for HESC’s Operational Workshops

 

As a reminder, HESC will conduct a summer workshop series to review legislative changes associated with the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and other scholarships.

 

Here are the dates and locations:

July 11             Buffalo Marriott

July 12             Ramada Inn – Syracuse

July 14             Turf Inn – Albany

July 18             Hilton – Huntington

July 19 &20     CUNY Graduate Center          

 

Registration details will be posted soon on www.hesc.org

 

HESC’s 2nd Annual Loan Symposium

 

HESC is pleased to announce that the 2nd annual HESC "Loan Symposium" will take place on September 21-22 in Saratoga Springs, New York. There will be no cost to attend the event, which last year attracted more than 125 school and lender colleagues.

Mark your calendar and plan to join your statewide colleagues at HESC's 2006 Loan Symposium. In addition to a wide range of relevant loan related topics, NCHELP President Brett Lief is scheduled to be a featured speaker as well.

Information regarding the Symposium, including a Request for Session Proposals, can be found under “What’s New” on www.hesc.org.

 

HESC PIN Reminder


Effective May 15th, borrowers completing the Electronic Master Promissory Note for both Stafford and Plus will now use the HESC PIN instead of using the STAN ID for authentication for completing the MPN. If the borrower has not established a HESC ID and PIN previously, they can now instantly create a user ID and PIN and then continue with the e-MPN process. Borrowers (parents and students) will also use the HESC PIN to access their account data on the HESC Web screen for loans in addition to Grants and Scholarships.

Questions or comments regarding the HESC PIN or the use of HESC’s electronic products or services should be directed to the Solutions Team at solutions@hesc.org or toll free, call 1-888-NYSHESC (1-888-697-4372) and follow the menu prompts.

 

e-Signature Source Code


To comply with CommonLine (CL) standards, HESC will now store the E-Signature Source Code on our system and this data will be sent out with any CLv4 and CLv5 responses for both loan applications as well as disbursement transactions. The E-SIGN source type code includes the source type code and the federal identification number assigned to the institution.

 

PLUS Graduate Loans

 

As recently announced, New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC) will process the new PLUS graduate loans starting July 1.

Recent federal legislation will permit graduate or professional students to borrow money for college through the PLUS loan program starting July 1, and HESC’s advanced processing system will be ready to handle the new loans

 

Questions or comments regarding the PLUS Graduate Loans process should be directed to the Solutions Team at solutions@hesc.org or toll free, call 1-888-NYSHESC (1-888-697-4372) and follow the menu prompts.