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The start to Daniel’s career in financial aid was a journey — a literal one — when he received an invitation for an in-person interview with the University of Idaho while living with his parents in California. “I was very excited because it was my first post-undergraduate interview and very quickly felt the excitedness turn into anxiousness as I learned I would be flown up for a whirlwind day of interviews and return home within 24 hours,” Daniel said.

In this installment of NASFAA's "Altitude," NASFAA President Justin Draeger delves into social media and the national zeitgeist to gauge borrowers’ willingness to begin making student loan payments. While discontent alone may not result in a change in which borrowers are (or aren’t) willing to resume payments, being part of a social movement might. How will calls for further extensions — and outright forgiveness — make restarting the student loan machine easier or more difficult?

In January, a new group of negotiators geared up for another Department of Education (ED) negotiated rulemaking — or "neg reg" — session, this time focusing on a number of topics including the "90/10 loophole," gainful employment (GE), financial responsibility, administrative capability, and more. The list of trending topics in January held steady, with Direct Loans continuing to top the list as the most viewed term in the Ref Desk. Direct Loans likely saw a surge in late December and early January due to the ED's decision on Dec. 22, 2021 to again extend the payment pause for federally-held student loans through May 1, 2022. Check out the 11 new resources added to the Ref Desk in the last month, and read more in this month's release notes for a look at some other helpful, timely references in the Ref Desk.

Due to high demand, another R2T4 NASFAA U course has been added to this year's calendar. This four-week interactive course, beginning May 16, is perfect for both new and seasoned financial aid professionals and provides an overview of R2T4 regulations, including new regulations that went into effect on July 1, 2021. Course participants will learn what happens to Title IV funds when a student withdraws before completing the period of enrollment, withdrawal from programs offered in modules, and how to apply the R2T4 formula to calculate the amount the school must return to the Title IV programs, or the amounts the student could receive as post-withdrawal disbursement. Upon passing the course, you will receive complimentary access to the credential test. This class will sell out quickly — register now!

Have you looked at NASFAA's events calendar recently? Early next month, NASFAA President Justin Draeger and Director of Government Relations Rachel Gentry will virtually present at the  ISFAA (Indiana) Winter Conference, while Vice President of Public Policy and Federal Relations Karen McCarthy heads to Oregon for the OASFAA (Oregon) 2022 Annual Conference. Later in the month, NASFAA hosts the annual Leadership & Legislative Conference & Expo in Washington, D.C., and National Chair Brent Tener joins Justin, and Vice President of Professional Development & Institutional Compliance Dana Kelly at the 2022 SASFAA Annual Conference. Head to the Events Calendar to get all the details on these and other upcoming events.

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