In collaboration with the National Direct Student Loan Coalition (NDSLC), the NASFAA Web site now includes a link to a list of mentors at Direct Lending schools who have volunteered to share their expertise and experience with schools wanting to switch from FFEL to Direct Loans. You can also reach the list under the Association News Section of the NASFAA home page or directly through the NDSLC Web site.

"To assist schools with the transition, the Coalition has developed tools for new schools and a list of mentors which can be accessed from this site," says Roberta Johnson NDSLC chair and director of student financial aid at Iowa State University.

NDSLC encourages colleagues to contact individuals on the list to discuss implementation strategies or issues and best practices. To provide specific advice tailored to the needs of the many different postsecondary institutions, mentors on the list come from two-year, four-year, public and private institutions that offer certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs serving from 1,220 to 51,000 students.

The mentors use many different systems including, home grown systems, Banner, CARS, Datatel, EDExpress, Jenzebar, Financier, PeopleSoft, Powerfaids, SAMS, SIGMA Systems, Sungard SCT, and more.

"NASFAA commends NDSLC and its members for sharing their time and knowledge with those schools that are considering moving to the Direct Loan Program," said NASFAA President and CEO Dr. Philip Day.

Posted 06/04/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.