On Tuesday, November 21, 2006, the Michigan Guaranty Agency (MGA) hosted the second installment of its Default Aversion Symposium Series entitled, Methodologies, Research, and Exploration: Getting Help to Those Who Need It Most, at Kellogg Center in East Lansing.

This installment focused on successfully proven methodologies and research techniques that allow schools to better understand and identify students who may be more likely to default, thereby allowing schools to better allocate resources to those who need it most.

Justin Draeger, Assistant Director for Communications for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) kicked off the day with a presentation that simplified the research process by dispelling some of the myths associated with research while providing helpful tips on conducting simple surveys.

Justin Draeger, PowerPoint Presentation
Justin Draeger Video Presentation (Microsoft Producer File, 55 minutes, 34.5MB)
Video Clip Transcript: Justin Draeger Presentation

Dr. Sandy Baum, Professor of Economics at Skidmore College and a Senior Policy Analyst at the College Board was the keynote speaker and presented information from the most recent research concerning trends in student aid and manageable debt levels.

Sandy Baum, PowerPoint Presentation
Sandy Baum Video Presentation (Microsoft Producer File, 1 hour 22 minutes, 60MB)
Video Clip Transcript: Sandy Baum Presentation

Two afternoon breakout sessions provided an opportunity for participants to discuss:

• Action Plan for Default Aversion - How to identify, target, and educate high-risk student loan borrowers.
• How to Conduct a Research Project - What questions do you have about your student populations, how do you obtain data that answers these questions, and how do you best use this information?

Participants were grouped by school sector:
Symposium II two-year breakout session notes
Symposium II four-year breakout session notes

The first installment of the Default Aversion Symposium Series, Understanding and Treating the Underlying Causes of Default, was held on March 29, 2005, in Livonia, and was highlighted by two nationally renowned authorities on financial literacy: Laura Levine, Executive Director of the Jump$tart Coalition, and Carl George, chair of the National CPA Financial Literacy Commission.