A proposed change in federal student loan policy from providing loans through lending institutions to providing loans directly to students is of enormous importance to higher education, with major implications for colleges and universities. There are powerful arguments pro and con. Institutions must ensure they and policymakers understand the…

Student loan programs have been racked by defaults, bankruptcies, and administrative trivia, causing Congress to search for another system. Under consideration is a loan that would be repaid to the Internal Revenue Service through a withholding tax. However, better collection efforts with the present system are producing encouraging results. (JMD)