table of contents   Common Manual Reaches Milestone On January 17, 2003, the Common Manual Governing Board approved the 100th batch of proposed policy changes. These policy changes, along with the policies approved in the years since the manual's inception, were developed by the guarantors who participate in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) in close consultation with the schools, lenders, and servicers that comprise the FFELP community. The Board believes that this milestone and the collaborative work it represents is a great example of what can be accomplished when representatives of the entire FFELP community work together. The Common Manual, conceived as a vehicle to develop and publish a single, common set of guarantor policies, was first published in 1995. The manual replaces individual guarantor policy guides with their many proprietary policies, and simplifies the process of administering the nation's largest education loan program. Since its initial publication, FFELP guarantors have staffed continuous efforts to update and improve the manual, ensuring that it is an accurate, comprehensive guide to FFELP administrative policy. Its Governing Board is comprised of a single voting member of each of the 36 guarantors that participate in the FFELP. The Board is charged with the review and approval of all policy changes, as well as ensuring the efficient and timely publication of each update. To assist it in fulfilling these responsibilities, the Board elects an Executive Management Team from its membership and a Policy Committee from the expert staff of its member guarantors. For many years, the Board was also supported by the efforts of the Logistics and Information Committee, charged with editing, publishing, and distributing the manual. In the 7 years since its inception, many guarantor staff members have volunteered their time and considerable talents to the Common Manual's success. These staff members have devoted extensive resources to the development of clear, concise policy text, collaborative research, and technical advances in the manual's structure and delivery mechanisms. While there have been many individuals along the way from virtually all sectors of the FFELP community who have participated in the process, at this juncture in the manual's history, the Governing Board especially recognizes the individuals (see "Honor Roll" below) who have served in key roles with dedication and perseverance in this "common" effort. The Board also thanks those individuals' respective organizations for allowing staff members to participate in this important and remarkable achievement. In addition, the Board recognizes the importance of community involvement and appreciates all of the individuals who throughout the past 7 years have reviewed proposals, provided insightful comments and suggestions, and supported the Common Manual initiative. Common Manual Honor Roll Policy Committee Members Michelle Anderson (current and former co-chair) Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation Kathy Bliss (current member) Colorado Student Loan Program Gail Braum EdFund Rachel Brock Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Carolyn Brown (current member) Missouri Student Loan Program Tammy Burford (current member) EdFund Kevin Burke (current member) American Student Assistance Ruth Chrismore (current administrative position) Missouri Student Loan Program Susan Clinton Michigan Guarantee Agency Aaron Cook Northwest Education Loan Association Cinda Eresuma (former administrative position) Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority Jacki Fairbairn (current member and former chair) Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation David Feitz Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority Janet Gonyea Student Loan Guarantee Foundation of Arkansas Brenda Grady (current member and former chair) USA Funds Arlene Hannawalt Montana Student Loan Program Margie Harvey (former chair) Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation Cindy Hepler (current co-chair and former chair) American Education Services/Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Cheryl Hughes (current member and former co-chair) South Carolina Student Loan Corporation Melissa Johnson Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program Cathryn Judd Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority Kelly Kaelin (current editor) Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation Tess Keirn American Education Services/Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency John Kramer Student Loans of North Dakota Kathy Mascaro Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Nancy Masten (current member) Illinois Student Assistance Commission Betsy Mayotte American Student Assistance Wendy McAlister North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority Onaleah McClellan (current member) Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance Shari Mecca (former Chair) Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Lonny Meloon (current member) New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation Lynn Murphy Education Assistance Corporation Sharon O'Neal National Student Loan Program Elaine Padilla New Mexico Student Loan Guarantee Corporation Kathy Pratt New York State Higher Education Services Corporation David Raccullia American Education Services/Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Fay Schroeder Michigan Guaranty Agency Leesa Sorensen National Student Loan Program Sam Wilson Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation Logistics and Information Committee/Editing Staff Dana Barzman American Student Assistance Scott Brown Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority Dan Cosgrove Northwest Education Loan Association Susan Degen (former co-chair) Oregon State Scholarship Commission Carol Egan American Education Services/Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Char Feist Student Loans of North Dakota Tim Fitzgibbon Iowa College Student Aid Commission Janet Gonyea Student Loan Guarantee Foundation of Arkansas Wendy Hacker American Student Assistance Nina Hold Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation Tenille Manning Heier Education Assistance Corporation Susan Johnson Illinois Student Assistance Commission Chris T. Keahi Iowa College Student Aid Commission Julie Leeper Iowa College Student Aid Commission John McGrath New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Cannon Mayes Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation Tom Melecki (former chair) National Student Loan Program Peter Pundt (former co-chair) American Education Services/Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Steve Schmidt Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation Ann Scott Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation Lori Stevens Northstar Guarantee Melanie Tringali American Student Assistance Ellen Zimmerman Education Assistance Corporation First published in December 1995, the Common Manual is a cooperative effort of the 36 guarantors that participate in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). The manual, one of a number of efforts by guarantors to simplify and streamline the FFELP for schools and lenders, provides a single, standardized set of current student loan rules and FFELP policy guidance for schools and lenders. Guarantors provide the Common Manual to thousands of colleges, universities, and financial institutions nationwide, in print, compact disk and web-based formats. For more information, contact Susan Degen, Communications Director.   table of contents