Today NASFAA published comments from several aid administrators about the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). I applaud our colleagues for taking the time write very thoughtful responses. Their perceptions help me see several sides of important issues.

Like others, I feel our money is best spent within the existing Pell Grant program. And where there may be some advantages for tax payers with loan auctions, there are disadvantages for transfer students who will be forced to deal with multiple PLUS lenders (since winning bidders may differ from state to state). And then there is the unintended consequence of parents who may encourage their children to use the same loan provider they were forced to use (since parent’s choice will be limited to the two winning bidders in that state), further undermining the principle of lender choice.

And will the Teach Grant be an empty promise for many students… with enormous administrative complexity and costs? Congress has been talking about simplifying everything, but then continues to create more programs that are ever more complicated.

I’m interested in your thoughts. Which provisions concern you most? Which do you find most positive for our students? Tell me what you think.