NCHER in 30

“NCHER in 30” Podcast Includes Updates on Advocacy Activities, Focus on Former Vice President Joe Biden's and Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) Higher Education Plans In episode 17 of the “NCHER in 30” podcast, the NCHER staff provides updates on several advocacy activities of importance to the membership that occurred in late February to early March. In particular, James and Shelly discuss the higher education plans put forth by Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) who are vying for the Democratic nomination for President. The Vice President's plan would cost $750 billion over the next 10 years and includes several proposals to promote community colleges, double the maximum Pell Grant, and improve the federal student loan program. Sen. Sanders' plan would provide for free college and student loan debt forgiveness. After that discussion, Pam Shepherd interviews Melissa Neal, Executive Director of the Oklahoma College Assistance Program, who discusses what it is like to be a new leader in the higher education finance industry and Oklahoma's efforts to promote financial literacy. If you have any feedback or have topic suggestions for future episodes, please send comments to info@ncher.us.  

New “NCHER in 30” Podcast Includes Updates on Advocacy Activities, Focus on President's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2021 In episode 16 of the “NCHER in 30” podcast, the NCHER staff provides updates on several advocacy activities of importance to the membership that occurred in late January to early February. In particular, James and Shelly discuss the President's budget request for Fiscal Year 2021, which includes $66.6 billion for the U.S. Department of Education and several proposals to reform the federal student loan program. Then, they discuss the recent Congressional Budget Office report examining cost and policy options for income-based repayment plans and the Department of Education and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's new Memorandum of Understanding on the sharing of complaint information. If you have any feedback or have topic suggestions for future episodes, please send comments to info@ncher.us.  

In Episode 15 of the “NCHER in 30” podcast, the NCHER staff provides a preview of the second session of the 116th Congress and updates on several advocacy activities of importance to the membership that occurred since the last monthly call in mid-December. In particular, James and Shelly discuss what both House and Senate members are currently working on as they return to legislative business and what to expect from Congress, the Trump Administration, and state policymakers over the next few months.  This month's podcast is essential listening, especially for those members attending the NCHER Legislative and Leadership Conference next month. If you have any feedback or have topic suggestions for future episodes, please send comments to info@ncher.us.  

In Episode 14 of the “NCHER in 30” podcast, the NCHER staff provides updates on several advocacy activities of importance to the membership that occurred in late November and early December. In particular, James and Shelly discuss the recent speech by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to the Federal Student Aid (FSA) Training Conference and her call for Congress to make FSA an independent agency to improve oversight and customer service. Then, Pam Shepherd interviews Christiana Thornton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation Network Organizations, on being a new leader in the higher education finance industry. If you have any feedback or have topic suggestions for future episodes, please send comments to info@ncher.us.

New “NCHER in 30” Podcast Includes Updates on Advocacy Activities, Focus on House Education and Labor Markup of the College Affordability Act In Episode 13 of the “NCHER in 30” podcast, the NCHER staff provides updates on several advocacy activities of importance to the membership that occurred in the month of October. In particular, James and Shelly discuss the recent introduction and markup of H.R. 4674, the College Affordability Act, a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, by the House Education and Labor Committee and its prospects for passage later this year. Then, Pam Shepherd interviews Elise Nowikowski, Principal of Evidens Group, on implementing and complying with federal laws and regulations. If you have any feedback or have topic suggestions, please send comments to info@ncher.us.  

October 10, 2019 - In this month's podcast - New “NCHER in 30” Podcast Includes Updates on Advocacy Activities in October. In Episode 12 of the “NCHER in 30”podcast, the NCHER staff provides updates on several advocacy activities of importance to the membership that occurred in the month of September and a preview of several upcoming events in October. James discusses House and Senate action involving the FUTURE Act and its provision to eliminate the payment of Account Maintenance Fees to guaranty agencies and provides an update on the annual appropriations process to fund the U.S. Department of Education, while Shelly previews several recent regulatory actions by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. If you have any feedback or have topic suggestions, please send comments to info@ncher.us.

In this week's podcast—A Review of Major Senate Bills Impacting Student Loans—James and Shelly review the major Senate bills which will have the greatest impact on student loans. New NCHER Board Chair Scott Giles then joins the conversation to discuss what goals he has for his tenure and what he would like to see in the future for NCHER and the industry. Meanwhile, Pam caps the first 2020 Democratic Presidential Debate which took place June 26-27.

June 21, 2019 – In this week's podcast, James and Shelly review the major House bills which will have the greatest impact on student loans. NCHER Board Chair Ron Gambill then joins the conversation to share his thoughts on his year as Chair and what he would like to see in the future for NCHER and the industry. Meanwhile, Pam talks about the first 2020 Democratic Presidential Debate which is scheduled for June 26-27, sharing who will be debating and when.

In this week's podcast, recorded during NCHER's Second Annual Conference James speaks with Vic Klatt, Principal at the Penn Hill Group, who gives listeners an insider's review of the 116th Congress. Their discussion provides grading the 116th Congress up to this point on their successes, Congress' interaction with the Trump Administration, the possibility of reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, other committees that impact higher education legislation, and the outlook for higher education policy at the national level over the next year. Meanwhile, Pam outlines Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden's education plan and discusses President Trump's recent comments on helping borrowers get out of student loan debt.

In this week's podcast, James provides a history of actions from the CFPB since its inception and addresses a number of changes that were put in place by previous leaders that impact in the higher education finance industry. He then addresses the most recent developments at the Bureau that have taken place under the direction of Director Kathy Kraninger. Shelly provides a review of the Bureau's proposed rule on debt collection and gives a preview of NCHER comments. He also discusses the Bureau's complaint database. Vicki provides an update on the Cancer Treatment Deferment and a Federal Register notice and comment dealing with military borrowers and U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense sharing data. Meanwhile, Pam notes that ‘free' is currently the most popular word in the higher education realm while Stef highlights NCHER's upcoming Annual Conference and announces our first trivia question winner. If you have any feedback or have topic suggestions, please send comments to info@ncher.us.

In this week's podcast, James provides overview of the bill, funding levels for the Department of Education, how the bill is a high-water point and the Senate is likely to come in lower while Shelly hits on financial assistance provisions. Vicki covers the Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program provisions in the bill and highlights the income share agreement pilot that is expected to be announced shortly by the Department. Meanwhile, Pam goes over the five recent individual town hall meetings featuring five Democratic presidential candidates. Stef then highlights NCHER's upcoming Annual Conference and announces our first trivia question winner. If you have any feedback or have topic suggestions, please send comments to info@ncher.us.

In this week's podcast, James and Shelly take a deeper dive into several state servicing laws, many of which include licensing and other programmatic requirements which continue to proliferate and impact our private student loan holders, servicers, collectors, and guarantors. Vicki talks about: data integrity and what this could mean for all the various proposals to use repayment rate and where the data is likely to come from and impact as far as National Student Loan Data System reporting, discussions with the U.S. Department of Education regarding data integrity; and the pending Master Promissory Note that is out for comment and remarks from Diane Jones last week. Pam shares recent news items as well updates listeners to the newest 2020 presidential candidates. Stef then highlights NCHER's upcoming Annual Conference and kicks off our newest segment: the trivia question.

In this week's podcast, James and Shelly review several in both the Senate and House with Secretary Betsy DeVos' appearing to discuss the U.S. Department of Education's FY2020 budget request. Vicki talks the recent announcement from Experian regarding loan transfers and credit reporting. Pam updates listeners on NCHER's newest social media campaign while and highlights two dark horse 2020 presidential candiates. Stef then reminds listeners about two upcoming NCHER meetings: the Spring Legal Meeting and the Annual Conference.

In this week's podcast, James and Shelly address President Trump's FY 2020 budget request and analyze how it could impact higher education as lawmakers begin reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Vicki talks about the cancer deferment, explaining where we are and why, and what to expect. Pam introduces NCHER's newest social media campaign while Vicki talks about Financial Literacy Day and the activities of members of NCHER's Access and Success Committee. Stef then reminds listeners about two upcoming NCHER meetings: the Spring Legal Meeting and the Annual Conference.

March 8, 2019 – NCHER Staff (James, Shelly, Steff and Pam) analyze the recent priorities to reauthorize the Higher Education Act made by Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), and dissect how these proposals could impact NCHER members. We also provide an updated list of who is and who is not running for president in 2020 and remind listeners about two upcoming NCHER meetings: 2019 Spring Legal Meeting and 2019 Annual Conference.

February 22, 2019 – NCHER Staff (James, Shelly, and Pam) discuss the recently-completed to FY 2019 budget agreement, how higher education will implement a number of programs, review the 2018 budget agreement, and speculate what could be in President Trump's FY 2020 budget request. We also provide listeners with a rundown of where the Democratic presidential candidates stand on student debt and college affordability and preview.

NCHER Staff (James, Shelly, Stef, Pam, and Vicki) outline what's happening on Capitol Hill, in the world of higher education regulations, and court cases that impact NCHER members. We preview what items listeners should pay attention to throughout the year and provide an update with what attendees of NCHER's 2019 Legislative Conference talked about the most.