Every year, millions of college students borrow money to help bridge the gap between college costs and available income, savings, and grants. Experts agree that, for those who need to borrow to pay for college, federal student loans are the safest and most affordable option. Unfortunately, some colleges choose not to participate in the federal…

Student loan default, defined as federal loan borrowers' failure to make any payments for at least 270 days, is an issue of increasing importance to community colleges and their students. This report takes a unique look at student loan default at nine community colleges across the nation, and how those colleges are working to help students avoid…

California's participation in Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) programs are examined. Attention is directed to: the history of federal involvement in student loan programs; California's past and current involvement in federal programs; a profile of California student borrowers; and increasingly high levels of student debt and default rates under the…

This report on the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) Program in the California community colleges discusses the repayment of student loans and recommends strategies for reducing default rates. Introductory material highlights the following trends: (1) financial aid programs for low-income students have failed to keep pace with demand; (2) by 1983,…