UMD director says student loans in danger

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The nation's financial woes are already putting a strain on families trying to pay for a child's college education, and current government contingency plans are untested, said a Maryland financial aid officer.

The director of student financial aid at the University of Maryland, College Park, Sarah Bauder, joined Education Secretary Margaret Spellings in testimony before the House Education and Labor Committee.

The committee is trying to find ways to ensure low-cost federal financing remains available to students should credit continue to tighten.

At risk is the Federal Family Education Loan Program, a...