College Loans

* Edward Fiske has it all wrong in his assessment of the student loan program (Commentary, Dec. 6). He points out how much more students are borrowing today than 10 years ago and blames this on easy credit, easy-pay plans and runaway college costs. What he fails to mention is that borrowing is up because Ronald Reagan and George Bush cut other forms of financial aid to the bone in the 1980s. Furthermore they made it nearly impossible for middle-class families with assets (i.e., homeowners) to be eligible for any type of financial aid besides loans.

To suggest cutting loans and encouraging savings may work for the class of 2014, but it will not help the class of 1996. Additionally, not all parents will be able to afford to save for their children’s educations. Savings should be encouraged but not replace other types of financial aid. Loans are the last hope of many middle-class families to send their children to college.

JEFFREY BECK

Los Angeles