Purpose

“One of the challenges facing us as financial aid administrators is how to assist our students with making wise decisions regarding student loans along with understanding the serious consequences of defaulting on their student loans.  In prior years, many of these valuable services had been provided for free by talented staff working for lenders, guarantors and state agencies and now these services must be provided by overworked campus staff or pursuing funding for additional staff or outsourced services.” – Michael Bennett, prior NASFAA Chair, Tampa Bay Student Loan Consortium Member

On November 19, 2012, an invitation was sent to a group of institutions in the Tampa Bay area to share strategies and best practices, training, and forms & resources in the areas of debt management, financial literacy and default prevention.  Group discussions allow a collective exploration of solutions to common problems.  We become more informed about others who provide services that assist staff and students, especially as we are often working with the same students.  It also facilitates networking opportunities for staff who perform similar duties.  Meeting locations rotate to member institutions, with the host institution being the main presenter, followed by other presenters on pertinent topics.  Meetings are kept to a limit of two hours followed by lunch. 

Location 1: Tampa Bay Student Loan Consortium

Meeting Minutes: Download

 January 28, 2013 – St. Petersburg College

February 28, 2013 – Hillsborough Community College

April 12, 2013 – University of South Florida

July 31, 2013 - Eckerd College

October 16, 2013- National Aviation Academy

December 18, 2013 – University of Tampa

March 26, 2014 – St. Petersburg College

Presentations & Resources: Download

Institutional Examples:

St. Petersburg College – SLS (Freshman Experience) Curriculum

USF – Bull2Bull program

National Aviation Default Prevention Program

Cohort Default Rate Review:

USDOE – Default Prevention and Management: A Plan for Student and School Success (template)

2 YR CDR & 3 YR CDR charts

Default Rates across USA

Financial Literacy:

Get Financially Fit!: A list of Financial Education Programs for College Students

Institutional Job Descriptions:

Default Prevention Counselor

Default Prevention Manager

Peer Counselor

Conference Presentations:

SASFAA Spring 2014 - Tampa Bay Student Loan Consortium Presentation

FASFAA Spring 2013 conference - Developing a Strategic Partnership Presentation 

Member Institutions:

Clearwater Christian College, Eckerd College, Everest University, Florida College, Hillsborough Community College,
Keiser University,  National Aviation Academy, Pasco-Hernando Community College, Polk State College, 
Saint Leo University, St. Petersburg College, State College of Florida, Stetson Law, University of Phoenix,
 University of South Florida, University of South Florida – St. Petersburg, University of Tampa

Location 2: Miami Student Loan Consortium

FASFAA is pleased to announce that in 2014 we will be expanding this pilot program to more metropolitan areas in the state.  We are currently seeking members schools of the Miami Student Loan Consortium.