Baucus, Tester praise passage of student loan legislation

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Montana's U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today released the following statements in response to the President signing the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 into law.  The measure ensures that student loans remain available despite national credit problems.

BAUCUS STATEMENT:

"Making sure students have access to quality, affordable education is one of my top priorities.  I'm pleased that the President signed legislation to provide a backstop for student loans to help keep education affordable.  This bill will help ensure Montana students and students across the country will have uninterrupted access to loans for college." 

TESTER STATEMENT:

"This goes one step further in ensuring that Montana students will have continued access to student loans and not be penalized by issues in the market.  A kid working his way through college should not have his education jeopardized by Wall Street, and this bill helps realize that fundamental right."

Baucus and Tester recently asked Montana's Student Assistance Foundation (SAF) and the Montana Higher Education Student Assistance Corporation (MHESAC) to disclose their financial records to ensure that Montana students receive their loans on time and effectively.

The Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loan Act of 2008 is H.R. 5715.