• What are the potential policy questions that emerge in light of increased alternative lending? Would the growth in private loans be affected by any increase in federal loan limits? What effects do private loans have on loan consolidation, tuition increases, packaging of financial aid, and total student loan debt burden for colleges and students?
To examine the alternative loan phenomenon more comprehensively, researchers will make use of existing data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, the College Board and NASFAA's Survey of Undergraduate Financial Aid Policies, Practices, and Procedures (SUFAPPP), and other sources. Researchers will also conduct a limited survey of select aid administrators to assess alternative loan volumes.
"Having reliable data on alternative loans will be critical to members of the higher education community as they begin to develop their reauthorization proposals," says NASFAA President Dallas Martin.
The project is tentatively titled "Alternative Student Loans: Sleeping Giant of the Student Aid System?" and will culminate with the release of a report in the spring.
For more information, visit the organizations' Web sites, <www.NASFAA.org>, <www.ihep.org> and <www.TERI.org>.
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