Big Sky Cairn

It has been a while since I have read something in the Gazette I agree with, but they pretty much hit it right on with the MHESAC/SAF question.

I written my thoughts before on what I think should happen with the student loan markets. But, transparency in government agencies is rarely a bad idea. It should be noted that the Montana Guaranteed Student Loan Program has been audited by the State Legislature each of the last two years according to the quick google search I put in (reports here and here). However, those reports only tangently mention MHESAC and SAF.

My one problem with the reporting this spring has been a lack of mention that the Montana student loan industry received a clean audit from the AG last fall. I mention this because I get the impression that Baucus, Tester and Schweitzer are accusing MHESAC/SAF of acting in an unethical, or unprofessional way. The distinction should be made that this is audit is a question of competence and judgment, not corruption. Given what came out of New York last year, I would think it important to make sure those are not the sort of allegations being made here.

All that said lets shine the light on these groups. At the very least it should be concerning that the same folks setting tuition rates are also in charge of the groups processing student loans.