VU | Valparaiso

Several Valparaiso University students from Northwest Indiana were recently honored at the Office of Multicultural Programs Annual Awards Banquet. Honored were Shariliz Martinez, of Chesterton, a junior social work major who received a Book Assistance Grant; Timothy Garibay, of Griffith, a sophomore geography major who will serve as a Smart Scholars mentor, received a Hearst Scholarship and Leadership in Action Award; Crystal Sandoval, of Hammond, a freshman psychology major who received the Rising Leader Award; Sarah Garcia, of Hebron, a freshman nursing major who will serve as a Smart Scholar mentor and received a Book Assistance Grant; Mireya Villalba, of Munster, a senior nursing major who served as a Smart Scholar's mentor.

IUN | Gary

Federal Direct Loans for 2008-09 Indiana University Northwest, along with all Indiana University campuses, will begin using the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program as its source for federally backed student loans, beginning in fall.

The decision, announced by associate vice chancellor for enrollment management Joe Pellicciotti, is expected to ensure that IU Northwest students have access to a predictable and dependable source of college funding for the coming academic year. Administered by the U.S. Department of Education, the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program obtains funds directly from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Despite the move to utilize the federal Direct Loan Program, Pellicciotti said that IU Northwest would also continue to work with private lender Sallie Mae, or with any lenders a student might choose.

"The primary difference between direct loans and FFELP is the source of the loan funding," said IU Northwest spokesperson Michelle Searer. "Direct loans come straight from the U.S. Department of Education using funds obtained from the U.S. Treasury."

FYI: E-mail finaidnw@iun.edu or call (219) 980-6778.