The Senate Can Still Change Loan Legislation

To the editors:



Your editorial titled “Less Scroogerly College Loans” (Jan. 22), gives the impression that Congress passed a law lowering the interest rate for student loans. Rather, the action was taken by the House of Representatives only. Therefore, the sub-headline “We applaud Congress’ decision to cut interest rates on federal student loans” is misleading. The editorial does not clear up the distinction. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education (Section: Government & Politics, Volume 53, Issue 21, Page A24), the Senate may take up the matter in February. Until the resolution is passed in both chambers and then reconciled, Congress has not actually lowered the interest rate.



MIKE BURKE

Belmont, Mass.

January 22, 2007



The writer is the Registrar and Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.