UHEAA Bulletin Vol. 2009 Issue 22

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April 7, 2009
Volume 2009– Issue 22

UHEAA Launches Grassroots Initiative

Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority launched its grassroots initiative, “Keep Student Loans Local,” to inform the public about UHEAA and what it does for Utah’s communities, families, schools, and students. A primary objective is to tell lawmakers to preserve the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program and keep Utah’s student loans here at home.

President Obama and some members of Congress recently announced their intention to eliminate the FFEL program and force all student loans to come directly from Washington, D.C. If they are successful, local student loan administration and services will be eliminated and replaced by a national loan program controlled by the federal government.

Concerned individuals who want to “keep student loans local” may go to the new website www.keepstudentloanslocal.org. Information is available about the value of UHEAA’s local FFEL program and services. Also provided is a tool to assist in sending an editable e-mail message to key members of the Administration and Congress.

For more than 30 years UHEAA has provided Utah’s students, parents, public schools, colleges, and universities financial and administrative support with planning, preparing, and paying for college. UHEAA has returned millions of dollars to students in the form of grants, loan fee waivers, interest rate reductions, and loan forgiveness--$77 million in just the past four years.

UHEAA’s outreach program provides students and schools tools for college and career planning, college access and persistence, and for retention and successful completion of post-secondary study. Many other college mentoring services are provided to create an important bridge between today’s college campuses and tomorrow’s college students.

It is UHEAA’s belief that a nationalized student loan program will not serve the best interests of Utah. UHEAA understands the needs of Utah’s communities and is uniquely positioned to offer the best guidance and support to local students and families. Everyone who agrees is invited to let their voices be heard.

Any questions related to this Bulletin should be directed to UHEAA Policy and Training at 801.321.7166, or by e-mail to mjohnson@utahsbr.edu.