Understanding
student loan payback
Drastic Student Loan Cuts
While most college students were on winter breaks, the US Senate was debating over a bill which included massive student loan cuts. On December 21, 2005 in a 51-50 vote the US Senate passed a bill which included $12 billion in student loan cuts from the federal budget. Vice President Cheney cast the tie-breaking vote, while five Republicans sided with the Democrats who unanimously opposed the bill.
A second blow was wielded this week when the House passed a bill also in favor of the student loan cuts. While 13 moderate Republicans joined House Democrats in a no vote, not enough opposition was gained and the bill passed 216 to 214.
The drastic measure eliminates $2.2 billion in critical funds used to administer the federal student loan programs. Additional changes included a new 1% insurance fee that student borrowers must pay to guarantee agencies and raising the interest rate cap for parents who take out federal education loans for their children from 7.9 percent to 8.5 percent.
The bill outlines a total of $39 billion in budget cuts which besides the student loan cuts, severely reduces Medicaid and Medicare programs for low income and senior Americans. The measure is expected to be signed by President Bush next week.
This measure flies in the face of President Bushs comments in the State of the Union Address on February 1st where he emphasized the importance of education.
Virginia Governor Tim Kaine said, the Republican leadership in Washington is actually cutting billions of dollars from the student loan programs that serve working families, helping to get their children through college.
While opposition to the measure has been strong, Republican leadership ensured that these critical aid programs will be cut.
About the Author: Sandra D. Sims is the Editor & Publisher of http://CollegeFinancialAidGuide.com an online resource for college educational funding including college financial aid information and student loans.
More Useful Resource and Updates on student loan payback
- Where to Find College Funding in a Credit Crunch (Carteret County News-Times)
(ARA) - This year alone, more than 60 lenders have exited the federal student loan market and in the private market, most lenders have significantly tightened restrictions or left the business altogether.
- Student loan agency to run out of money (Lexington Herald-Leader)
The state agency that provides loans to Kentucky's college students will .effectively run out of money. Friday until about Aug. 21 as it awaits new federal funds intended to alleviate a national crisis in student loans. The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, and its lending arm, The Student Loan People, will finish giving out the available funds Thursday, said James R. ...
- Schools Receive Grant to Curb Student Loan Default (KOLR - KSFX Ozarks)
(Jefferson City, MO) Among Missouri college students with student loans, the average graduate heads out into the "real world" with $16,505 in student loan debt.
- Nova Scotia touts direct student loan program (CBC Nova Scotia)
Nova Scotia's new direct lending program means university and college students pay less in interest, Education Minister Karen Casey said Thursday.
- Student loan co-signer feels pinch (The Morning Call)
Dear Mary: Our daughter graduated from college with more than $100,000 in student loans. Her first job did not pay enough for her to begin repaying the loans. The only loan that we co-signed is more than $600 a month. We did not know that it was in default until she was several thousand dollars behind. This came at us after a home remodel and a wedding. We are not prepared to pay this loan, and ...
- Capturing the Youth Vote: McCain, Obama Target Concerns About Paying for College (Marketwire via Yahoo! Finance)
With the general presidential election only months away, concerns over the availability of student loans and how families will cover their college costs continue to be at the forefront of young voters' minds, in the midst of a dragging economy where credit is tight, unemployment is up, and high gas and food prices continue to eat away at families' paychecks.
- Die, Student Loan, Die! (The Motley Fool via Yahoo! News)
Make fun of the so-called "professional students" all you want. You know, the ones who, unlike the TAs, remember the original Dukes of Hazzard TV show. But would you be in a huge hurry to check out of the ivory tower and into debtors' prison?
- State using $50 million bond to solve student loan crisis (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Kentucky will pump $50 million into a state agency so it can resume issuing loans to college students as they begin fall classes. Gov. Steve Beshear announced Friday that the state will buy a $50 million bond from the non-profit Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corp., usually referred to as The Student Loan People. The .bridge loan,. as Beshear called it, will jump-start the ...
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