"The Direct Loan Program, the other branch of the federal student loan system, is directly funded by the federal government, thus eliminating the profit needs of private lenders," The Courier-Journal reports. "Presidential candidate Barack Obama has called for eliminating the FFEL, along with its costly subsidies to private lenders, in favor of mandating that all federal student loans be provided through the Direct Loan Program. That idea should be supported by students, parents and those who care about enlarging the country's educated workforce. Some argue that private lenders can offer more competitive rates and other incentives to the students they choose to serve, and that ending FFEL would be a mistake. But they don't see the big picture: Without costly subsidies to private lenders, the government could offer lower interest rates and provide loans to more students in need."