Researchers, economists, and campus administrators who have followed federal student aid programs worry that businesses have turned the Guaranteed Student Loan Program into a lucrative industry that doesn't always have the students' interest in mind, and a congressional study group is also concerned about aspects of the program. (MSE)

A study was done to investigate whether Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) were being awarded to students with the lowest expected family contribution (EFC). The study used data from a 1991 Department of Education study based on a sample of 25,000 undergraduate students drawn from over 1,100 postsecondary institutions across the…

This report presents the results of an audit of the Principal Financial Statements of the Department of Education's Federal Family Education Loan Program and its internal controls and compliance with laws and regulations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1992. The report details the following findings: (1) the Statement of Cash Flows were…

This report examines student financial assistance schemes in Australia in terms of their effectiveness and administration; particular reference is made to the findings of the Auditor-General's report on the administration of the Austudy program. The report discusses topics within the areas of program effectiveness, eligibility criteria, the…

This advisory report investigates the possible simplification of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) and considers the issue of federal direct lending. The evaluation indicates that complexity in the FFELP is due to multiple, overlapping loan programs with conflicting terms and conditions. Nonstandard policies, procedures, forms, and…

This document presents seven papers that address several aspects of the new direct lending federal loan program established by the Student Loan Reform Act of 1993. Among the topics examined are the following: (1) the experiences with implementing new student aid programs; (2) the policy questions involved in lending in proprietary (profit-making)…

This paper responds to a congressional request for more information concerning first, the potential cost savings from direct rather than guaranteed student loans and second, the ability of the Department of Education and postsecondary institutions to effectively manage a direct lending program. The report: (1) provides a more complete analysis of…

This Advisory Committee's final report presents study activities, findings, and recommendations for the simplification of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). Analysis showed that the current FFELP program structure and operations are needlessly complex and require major reform. An interim report providing recommendations for the…

This report proposes reform recommendations in the Federal Student Loan Program that are intended to reduce government (and taxpayer) costs, allow for the incorporation of the National Service Initiative, and provide more flexible repayment terms for borrowers. The proposal provides for an evaluation period for direct government lending, the…