Tag Archives: education
Student Associations Lobby for Bill to Revamp Student Loans (Page 1 of 2)
Student governments and organizations at colleges and universities nationwide are pushing lawmakers to pass legislation that supporters say will make acquiring a higher education more accessible and affordable.
The legislative measure, known as the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), was passed by the House of Representatives on Sept. 17 in a vote of 253 to 171, largely along party lines. All but four Democrats voted for the bill, and only six Republicans also voted in favor. The bill is expected to be put to a vote on the Senate floor on Oct. 15.
The bill, if passed, would essentially mean an overhaul of the current college financial aid system, eliminating one of the two existing national programs that provides students and parents with federal college loans.
This landmark legislation would shut down the long-standing Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), which issues federally guaranteed student loans to borrowers via banks, state organizations, and other private lenders. The government currently pays these private FFELP lenders a subsidy for the federal parent and student loans these lenders issue.
Under the SAFRA bill, all federal student loans would be issued through the second national student loan program, the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, which issues federal college loans directly to borrowers through the U.S. Department of Education, with no third-party involvement from a bank or other FFELP lender and thus with no government subsidies being paid to a middleman.
SAFRA supporters, which include many college student organizations, say that ending government subsidies to third-party FFELP lenders to originate federal student loans will save taxpayers $87 billion over the next decade which means more funds available for federal college grants and other higher education initiatives.
“FFELP is expensive for the government,” Kathleen Templin, president of the Associated Students of Northern Arizona University, told the NAU online newspaper, JackCentral. “They give money to banks, which in turn gives money to students. But because banks charge interest rates, the government pays a lot of money for lenders to give money out” (“Student Aid Act Passes in U.S. House, Due for Senate,” JackCentral.com, Sept. 24, 2009).
In fact, SAFRA allocates $40 billion of the projected $87 billion in savings to expand the Federal Pell Grant program, which targets low-income students.
Students Applaud Expansion of Federal Pell Grants
Several student governments from across the country have joined forces with the United States Student Association (USSA), the main voice for students on Capitol Hill, to organize meetings with legislators to press the importance of financing higher education in building a better American work force.
“A lot of students are not able to go to school because of funding,” said Teresa Mabry, the chair for the Women of Color Caucus on the USSA board of directors. “If were not getting [our message] out there, its not going to work.”
Is A Federal Student Loan Consolidation An Option For You?
There are several advantages when you get a federal student loan consolidation. You can take advantage of fixed interest rates, lower monthly payments, one payment each month, get payment incentives and get new or renewed deferments.
There is usually not a minimum loan balance required with this type of loan program. Also, you have the option of which loans you may want to include and money saving payment incentive plans with some federal student loan consolidation programs.
Another advantage is that you can consolidate your undergraduate loans if you are still in graduate school. You can decide on what loans you want to consolidate from the loans that qualify.
However, federal student loan consolidation cant include loans you may have received from banks, credit unions, personal loans, consumer debt loans or any other type of financial service loans that you may have applied for in the past. They have to be federal student loans to qualify.
What You Should Know Before You Apply For A Federal Student Loan Consolidation
There are several types of loans that qualify for federal student loan consolidation. When considering if your student loan can qualify, be sure to be very clear on interest rates and to see if you can save money with this type of consolidation loan. Sometimes student loan consolidation can increase your interest rate and cost you more than you are paying now.
Many federal student loans have a very low fixed interest rate already in place. This is why it is very important to be very clear on the rates from the plans you may be considering before you do a federal student loan consolidation.
What would be the point if you end up paying more for your consolidation loan? However, for some students it might be a good idea because of the hassles of trying to keep track of several student loan payments and monthly due dates.
Only you can decide if a federal student loan consolidation makes sense for your financial situation.
What Type Of Loans Qualify For Federal Student Loan Consolidation?
There are several federal student loans that may qualify for consolidation. Be sure to take some time to research the option you are considering and compare costs. You can use online calculators to get an estimate on payments. Check to see if your type of federal student loan will qualify for a federal student loan consolidation program.
10 Types Of Loans That Can Qualify For Consolidation
1. Federal Perkins Loan 2. Federal Stafford Loans 3. Federal Direct Loans 4. Federally Insured Student Loans 5. Federal Parent Loans 6. National Direct Student Loans 7. Nursing Student Loans 8. Health Education Assistance Loans 9. Health Profession Student Loans 10. Auxilary Loans To Assist Students
With some research and a little education you may be able to get a federal student loan consolidation to help ease the burden of having several student loans. You can focus on your education and new career instead of stressing out about trying to keep track of several loan payments and due dates.
With todays Internet access, you now have an advantage when considering a federal student loan consolidation as an option. You can easily see if you qualify and get the best loan program for your financial situation.