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Federal Family Education Loan Program: Statutory and Regulatory Changes Could Avert Billions in Unnecessary Federal Subsidy Payments

GAO-04-1070 Published: Sep 20, 2004. Publicly Released: Sep 20, 2004.
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Highlights

To encourage lenders to make student loans under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), the federal government guarantees lenders a statutorily specified rate of return--called lender yield. Some lenders may issue tax-exempt bonds to raise capital to make or purchase loans; loans financed with such bonds issued prior to 10/1/93 are guaranteed a minimum lender yield of 9.5% (hereafter called 9.5% loans). When the interest rate paid by borrowers is less than the lender yield, the government pays lenders the difference--a subsidy called special allowance payments. In light of the upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, we examined special allowance payments for 9.5% loans.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter Status Comments
In light of the rapid increase in special allowance payments for loans guaranteed a minimum 9.5 percent yield and the continuing financial incentive for lenders to originate or purchase additional loans that qualify for a guaranteed yield of 9.5 percent, Congress may wish to consider amending the HEA to address the issues identified by this report, but particularly to change the yield for loans made or purchased in the future with the proceeds of pre-October 1, 1993 tax-exempt bonds, and any associated refunding bonds, to more closely reflect these loans' financing costs and current market interest rates.
Closed – Implemented
HR 5186 Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act was signed into law on October 30, 2004. The bill temporarily changed the lender yields on 9.5% student loans originated or purchased between October 1, 2004 and December 31, 2005 to a yield similar to that for other guaranteed loans. The savings from this provision were used to expand a teacher loan forgiveness program targeted to certain borrowers who teach in elementary schools. When deliberating the temporary changes, members of Congress agreed that permanent changes to the lender yield were needed, and in February 2006 Congress passed legislation that permanently changed the lender yield on loans financed with pre-October 1, 1993, tax-exempt bonds. Under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, loans made or purchased after February 8, 2006, with proceeds of tax-exempt bonds issued prior to October 1, 1993, will have a lender yield based on market interest rates. Lenders that hold less than $100 million in 9.5% loans will be able to continue to receive the minimum 9.5% yield until December 31, 2010, at which time the yield will change to one based on market interest rates.

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Education Given that lenders are increasing the volume of 9.5 percent loans based on Education regulations that allow lenders to transfer 9.5 percent loans to taxable bonds and tax-exempt bonds issued after October 1, 1993 while retaining the special allowance payment provisions applicable to loans financed with pre-October 1, 1993 tax-exempt bonds, and the resulting increased costs for taxpayers, the Secretary of Education should promulgate regulations to discontinue the payment of the special allowance applicable to loans financed with pre-October 1, 1993 tax-exempt bonds that are subsequently transferred to taxable bonds or tax-exempt bonds issued on or after October 1, 1993.
Closed – Implemented
Education considered undertaking the process to issue new regulations, but determined that action could be taken sooner through the legislative process because of timeframes specified in the Higher Education Act and the requirement for a negotiated rulemaking process. Moreover, Education continued to assert that it could not waive the requirement for negotiated rulemaking by using the "public interest" exception. Education reported that it worked with Congress in passing the Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act, which temporarily changed the yield for loans financed with tax-exempt bonds issued prior to October 1, 1993, (also called 9.5% loans). Congress then made permanent changes to the yield for 9.5% loans in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Education issued regulations regarding the changes to the lender yield for 9.5% loans in March 2006.

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Topics

Aid for educationLoansStudent loansBonds (securities)Lending institutionsInterest ratesGovernment guaranteed loansTax-exempt bondsEducation loan programsBail bonds