The federal government is the lender for the current student loan system, but replacing it with a system that harnesses the advantages of a marketplace of private lending would save $212 billion over the next 10 years while also benefiting students by helping them avoid risky educational choices. Due to ongoing court cases and upcoming regulatory changes, however, the savings from transitioning away from government lending could disappear. This paper explains why private lending would be superior to the current system, how federal student lending can be shut down, and when this opportunity should be seized.