Increasing access to need-based aid, increasing the Pell Grant, simplifying the FAFSA, providing incentives to colleges that serve low-income students, allowing private loans to be discharged through bankruptcy, and ensuring easy access to income based loan repayment, top the Project on Student Debt's agenda for 2009.

The project, a nonprofit organization that works to minimize the risks and burdens associated with student loans, posted its 2009 agenda on its Web site earlier this week.

According to the agenda:
College costs are increasing faster than the maximum Pell amount, making it increasingly more difficult for middle- and lower-income students meet tuition costs. Increasing grant amounts would allow students to borrow less, making higher education more realistic and appealing to those who might otherwise not attend.

Simplifying the FAFSA by implementing a data population system will draw relevant information directly for the students' tax form, making it less intimidating and curtailing misinformation.

Allowing private loans to be dischargeable under bankruptcy laws will alleviate some of the risks involved with borrowing.

Ensuring easy access to income-based repayment and public service loan forgiveness will help students manage their debt. Income-based repayment caps loan payments at a reasonable rate based on the student's income. Loan forgiveness is given for students who engage in public service.

The Project on Student Debt is also pushing to provide more incentives to colleges who enroll lower-level-income students.

More about The Project on Student Debt and its 2009 agenda can be viewed online.

Posted 01/30/09 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.