Thanks for your interest in our editorials page! Expect a reply from our ed board–a blog exclusive–soon enough.

best,

TIm

“Our FFELP lenders provide quality service to our students. They help them receive their funding in the most user-friendly and efficient manner. More importantly, our lender representatives are local and available to assist our college in meeting student’s needs and they are available at a moments notice to assist with any problems. We could not deliver the quality customer service nearly as efficient if it wasn’t for the great tools provided, to the students and school, by the lending community. I
believe students need to have choices when borrowing for college and the
competition in the industry has proven to be very beneficial for everyone
involved.”
Bradley E. Honious, Director, Student Financial Assistance
GateWay Community College
Phoenix, Ariz.

“Increases to the Pell Program are long overdue, and by leveraging the
strengths of the Federal Family Education Loan there is no better way to
serve our country’s current and future college students.”
Daniel Forster, Chief Financial Aid Officer
Simmons College
Boston, Mass.

“Throughout my work with many private lender institutions, I have
witnessed their dedication and support in outreach efforts in
scholarships, access opportunities and workshops related to increase
awareness of higher education and financial aid availability … The
program is a plus for our higher educational system and for the millions
of students who depend on it to make their educational dreams a reality.”
Brian Armstrong, Director of Recruitment
Texas Southern University
Houston, Texas

“In my dealings with students and families at Eastern Nazarene College, it
is clear that families and schools do not want to be forced to rely
exclusively on a government run student loan program.”
Dana L. Parker, Director of Financial Aid
Eastern Nazarene University
Quincy, Mass.

“The public and private collaboration that is the Federal Family Education
Loan Program should be allowed to remain healthy, and not be legislated
out of existence. The competition between private lenders allows our
students to borrow at a lower cost to complete their college education. We
want to increase college access, and make going to college more
affordable. Maintaining a viable FFEL Program will help accomplish this.”
Linda Powell, Director of Financial Aid
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
Portland, Ore.

“…Proposed legislation will either drive up costs for students and/or
reduce the quality of student loan delivery…private loans are a
necessary source of funding for post-secondary education.”
David Krause, Director of Student Financial Aid
St. Mary’s University
San Antonio, Texas

“The largest and most diverse high school classes in history will be
graduating over the next few years. To ensure we are prepared to help them
go on to college, Congress should work to leverage the strengths and
resources of private sector companies like Sallie Mae, rather than try to
limit their role in the student loan program.”
Dolores Ludwick, Director of Financial Aid
Regis College
Weston, Mass.

“….I do not wish to be forced to go to Direct Lending….The cost to us
would be burdensome due to the strong technical support we would need in
order to process and disburse the Direct Loans. This will affect our
students negatively because we will need to increase tuition and fees to
fund this, causing fewer students to be able to afford to go to college.”
Scott Moore, Dean, Scholarship and Financial Aid
University of St. Thomas
Houston, Texas