In fiscal year 2018, nearly 13 million students and their families received over $122 billion in federal assistance to help them pursue higher education through programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. the Department of Education (Education) administers these programs, and is responsible, along with accreditors and states, for maintaining accountability and protecting the federal investment in student aid for higher education. This testimony summarizes the findings and recommendations from the Government Accountability Office's (GAO's) prior reports, issued between 2014 and 2018, examining Education's role in: (1) recognizing accrediting agencies; (2) overseeing the financial condition of schools; and (3) overseeing schools' student loan default rates. This statement also updates the status of selected recommendations and a matter for congressional consideration. The large federal investment in higher education makes it essential that the federal government maintain a robust system of accountability to protect students and taxpayers. This statement has highlighted three actions Education and Congress could take to strengthen the existing accountability tools for educational quality, financial sustainability, and student loan defaults.