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How do you Engage an Audience of ONE? Cegment’s Student Engagement Solutions are designed to help institutions convey their unique value and understand affordability with each communication tailored to the individual student’s circumstances. Learn more about how to increase engagement with students at every stage of the financial and enrollment process. Learn more.

The end of July saw a flurry of activity on Capitol Hill, with the release of several higher education-related bills that ranged from expanding the Pell Grant to improving loan forgiveness for teachers.

Students and families often say the cost of college and how to pay for a higher education are among their top concerns when deciding on a school to attend, but many students are still unaware of several federal aid programs, such as Pell Grants and the Federal Work-Study Program, according to a new survey from New America.

Wondering if a student can receive aid to cover a 3-credit course if he/she only needs 1 credit to graduate? How about whether someone who Is informally separated can file taxes as head of household? Take a look back at last month's most viewed AskRegs Q&As. If you have a question that's not on the list, you can find a credible and reliable answer on the AskRegs Knowledgebase site by browsing or searching the answers provided by our Training and Regulatory Assistance staff. You may also submit your own question using the Request Support feature.

NASFAA is seeking volunteers to evaluate its new “Learning Bytes” training product, which will provide online learning in short, interactive streaming environments. Topics may be professional development-related or targeted materials specific to aid administration. Volunteers will view the initial offering and provide feedback on both the content the concept of this type of training. We encourage all levels of financial aid administrators to volunteer. It is anticipated the viewing and response process will take about 2 hours. If you or members of your staff are interested, please complete the volunteer form. If you have additional questions, email Dana Kelly, Chief Training Officer at [email protected].

At the 2015 NASFAA National Conference in New Orleans, Department of Education (ED) staff presented an in-depth review of the return of Title IV funds (R2T4) and programs offered in modules. In addition to providing definitions, frequent Q&As, and examples, the session provided helpful reminders regarding the deadlines associated with R2T4.

This experiment will provide a waiver of the statutory provision that a student who is incarcerated in a Federal or State penal institution may not receive a Pell Grant. The experiment will allow some otherwise eligible students who are incarcerated in Federal or State penal institutions to receive a Pell Grant to help cover some of the costs of their participation in a postsecondary education and training program developed and offered by the participating postsecondary educational institution.

"Citigroup Inc., the third-largest U.S. bank by assets, is being investigated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over its student-loan servicing practices, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said," according to Bloomberg Business.

"When the University of Michigan at Flint recently took inventory of the textbooks used by students during the winter 2015 semester, it found what American Enterprise Institute scholar Mark J. Perry called a 'new milestone' in the textbook affordability debate: a $400 textbook," Inside Higher Ed reports.

"Mayte Estrada hit a speed bump while trying to register for classes during her orientation session at Cal State L.A. this summer," the Los Angeles Times reports. "Estrada is receiving financial aid that should cover all of her tuition bill. But that money — typically disbursed just before the start of fall classes — had yet to be reflected in her student account. She said she was told by officials that until there was evidence of the funds, she'd have to wait to get classes."

"For four consecutive years, Purdue University has managed to freeze tuition rates, establishing the university as a pacesetter in the national drive to make college more accessible and affordable," the Lafayette Journal & Courier reports. "Yet putting tuition increases on ice might freeze some Indiana students out of Purdue altogether."

"As a self-proclaimed member of the lower middle class, Lubbock resident Debra Spencer knew that paying for her kids' college would be a struggle. This year, however, that struggle has grown far beyond her expectations," The Texas Tribune reports.

"It might be difficult to believe that by 2020, the US alone will be three million college graduates short of what projections say the economy will need. By 2025, that number could skyrocket to 16 million. Making college exclusive and expensive is not the answer the global economy needs, but that’s the trend in current budget climates. It doesn’t have to be this way," edX CEO Anant Agarwal and Arizona State University President Michael Crow write for Quartz.

"The most-discussed problem with federal student loans is that some people borrow more than they ultimately can repay. The Obama administration is trying to fix that," John Brooks and Jonathan Glater write for the Los Angeles Times. "Another problem, paradoxically, is that students cannot borrow enough."

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