¶ … Tomsho, Robert & Corey Boles. (2008, April 18). "International Finance: Bank of America to Direct Student Loans to Federal Program." Wall Street Journal.
Retrieved April 21, 2008, from Wall Street Journal database. (Document ID: 1464512451).
Good news for some students in debt, bad news for other students. The Bank of America, one of the America's most important sources largest student lenders, said it will stop making private student loans. Instead, it will lend to students through a federally guaranteed program. Of course, this makes it difficult for students who need private student loans. However, students who qualify for federal student loans can breathe a sigh of relief. Also, the U.S. House of Representatives strengthened protections for the government loan program, the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program, "which accounts for about four out of five college loans"(Tomsho & Boyles 2008).
Recently, more than 50 lenders, including Sallie Mae, the largest student loan provider, announced they would stop making FFEL loans. They said it was too difficult to raise lending capital with securities backed by such loans, given the credit crisis and previous federal cuts to the student loan program. However, the new House will "provide capital to lenders as a last resort if students are unable to get loans otherwise" (Tomsho & Boyles 2008).
Investing in student loans and education is an investment in America's future. The students seeking to secure loans today had no role in the current subprime mortgage crisis that created the lack of available lending capital. Although this may hurt some students who use private lenders, giving FEEL added support helps the majority of students and the most financially needy of students secure loans to begin or to finish their education. The fact that "under the legislation, the Secretary of Education could purchase student loans from private lenders on an interim basis to provide emergency liquidity to markets," will give students, their parents, and banks added comfort that there will not be a crisis of students fleeing the schools, even if the credit market continues to experience problems (Tomsho & Boyles 2008).
