Washington Report

U.S. House Approves Emergency Legislation to Ensure Student Loan Access
The U.S. House has approved legislation designed to prevent disruptions of access to student loan dollars this fall. Read more.

Senate Banking Panel Chair Pledges Action on Student Loan Access
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs heard witnesses describe the potential for a student loan access crisis this fall, as well as potential remedies to avert that crisis. Learn more.

Tech Talk

USA Funds Loan Comparison Offers Enhanced Site to Help Students and Parents Select Education Loans
USA Funds^® Loan Comparison incorporates the new version of SimpleTuition’s online student loan comparison tool to simplify the process of selecting an education loan. Learn more.

Operations Bulletin

Negotiated Rulemaking Group Reaches Consensus on Student Loan Issues
Student loan regulation negotiators have reached consensus on the package of regulations affecting the Federal Family Education Loan Program, Federal Perkins Loan Program and Federal Direct Loan Program. Read more.

USA Funds Raises Minimum Guarantee Amount
USA Funds advises schools and lenders that, effective immediately, the minimum Stafford and PLUS loan amount that it will guarantee will be $200. The previous minimum was $100. The change is due to the small number of loan requests for amounts less than $200 and the fact the many lenders have higher minimums.

Department Releases New Volume of FSA Handbook
The U.S. Department of Education recently released Volume 4 of the 2008-2009 Federal Student Aid Handbook. The material addresses topics related to processing aid and managing Federal Student Aid funds. View the complete group of 2008-2009 FSA Handbook volumes that the Department has released so far.

USA Funds Update

USA Funds Student Loan Boot Camp Set for June 4-5
USA Funds will offer its Student Loan Boot Camp for education lenders in Indianapolis June 4-5. USA Funds Student Loan Boot Camp offers a comprehensive overview of the student loan process. Read more about Student Loan Boot Camp and register online.

USA Funds Lists Top 100 Lenders
USA Funds lists the top 100 lenders of USA Funds-guaranteed loans through March 2008. Read the list.