Number: RL34578
Title: Economics of Guaranteed Student Loans
Authors: D. Andrew Austin, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: In response to growing concerns about the availability of student loans for the 2008-2009 academic year, Congress passed Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (H.R. 5715; P.L. 110-227), which was signed into law on May 7, 2008. The act raises loan limits for Stafford loans (which some claim would reduce demand for private student loans), provides new options for parent borrowers, expands the lender-of-last-resort program, and allows the Secretary of Education to purchase FFEL student loan assets from lenders. The Secretary has announced plans to purchase student loans originated for the 2008-2009 school year. Some Members of Congress and participants in the student lending market have called for consideration of additional measures that might introduce liquidity into the market for securitized student loans using the Federal Financing Bank or other federal entities.
Pages: 31
Date: August 8, 2008