A study of loan availability in Michigan through the federal Guaranteed Student Loan Program outlines the evolution of federal lending programs for college students and describes program characteristics, funds, costs, defaults, and funding systems. The situation for borrowers and lenders in the state and its regions is examined, including statistics on lending and default rates. Rates of borrowing at individual Michigan institutions are given for 1971 through 1975, with default rates. The effect of eight variables (such as other student aid availability, number of applicants, and other factors) on borrowing from private lenders is analyzed. A chapter addresses the issue of the school as a lender of last resort. Policy considerations taken as a result of the study include the economics and risks of becoming a lender and policies on default risk. Appended are lists of the regions and institutions in the study; a comparison of bank and applicant estimates of borrowing rates, by region; definitions of variables and data sources; statistical analyses of variables on borrowing rates at community colleges and public and private four-year institutions; and a bibliography. (MSE)