NYSFAAA
Region 7 Executive Council Report
February 5, 2007 -
Our January meeting was well
attended (over 40 attendees) and focused on government benefits which are
reported on the FAFSA. A brief
discussion of these benefits by the region preceded an hour long presentation
by a professor from the Adelphi School of Social Work.
One of the laws governing federal
financial aid changed this year, and expands certain eligibility criteria for
applicants who have already met a "means test." The means tests include supplemental security
income, food stamp program, free and reduced price lunch program, TANF, and the
WIC program for women and children.
We believe that it is very
beneficial for our membership to have a representative who could discuss
eligibility criteria for any or all of those benefit programs. The presentation touched on:
What kinds of people are eligible,
what the benefits provide, where people go for assistance, how long the
benefits
last, and general questions of that
nature. The law didn't mention Section 8
housing but that's another category of applicants we get quite frequently.
The website
http:fcpe.adelphi.edu./Social_site/index.htm contains important benefit
information which may assist all NYSFAAA members. If NYSFAAA feels that a link to this site
would be something we wish to have on the NYSFAAA website I’m certain that we
could secure the permission of the site’s creator. The site is called “Government Money for
Everyday People” and includes 70 federal, state and local programs available in
Jim Gathard from Bank of America
gave the membership an overview of the “hot” legislative issues like student
loan interest rate reductions. Jim’s
report was given as a follow-up to information he presented at our December
meeting.
Upcoming Events:
Region 7’s Tax Workshop will be held
on Tuesday, 2/13/07 at
Financial Aid 101 for non-financial
aid personnel – registrars, admissions, and bursar. Friday, March 2 at Bank of
America site in Farmingdale.
College Goal Sunday - 2 sites – one in