The relevant Wikipedia article to start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_loans_in_the_United_States#Loans_to_students https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studen

The relevant Wikipedia article to start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_loans_in_the_United_States#Loans_to_students https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_loans_in_the_United_St... The relevant paragraph: > Prior to 2010, Federal loans included both direct loans—originated and funded directly by the United States Department of Education—and guaranteed loans—originated and funded by private investors, but guaranteed by the federal government. Guaranteed loans were eliminated in 2010 through the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act and replaced with direct loans because of a belief that guaranteed loans benefited private student loan companies at taxpayers expense, but did not reduce costs for students.