Pursuit's Take
The Department of Education reported that full administrative costs (i.e. costs incorporating both direct and indirect administrative costs) for the Direct Loan program increased by $550 million from fiscal year 2007 to fiscal year 2012, to total $864 million in fiscal year 2012. These Direct Loan administrative costs represent 65 percent of the $1.3 billion in new budget authority made available to the Student Aid Administration account in fiscal year 2012.
While total reported administrative costs increased from fiscal year 2007 to fiscal year 2012, cost per borrower and other unit cost measures remained stable or fell.
Media Coverage
New America: GAO On Setting Student Loan Interest Rates: It Depends
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