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For Immediate Release:
9/26/2006
Contact:
Luke Swarthout, 202-546-9707
Luke Swarthout, 202-546-9707 x333
U.S. PIRG

Department of Education: Private Lender Bilking Taxpayers for Billions

According to a new report released late Friday by the Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Education, private lender Nelnet Inc. abused a student loan loophole to generate $1.2 billion in illegitimate government payments. Through the “9.5% loophole” the company has already been paid $278 million in excess subsidies and stands to receive $882 more unless the Department steps in. The IG report calls on the Department to stop the payments and repay the outstanding $278 million.

The Department of Education must stop this abuse of taxpayers at the hands of private student lenders. Citizens pay taxes to help students go to college, not to pad the profits of private lenders.

For the report see: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/auditreports/a07f0017.pdf

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