It is the private lending which is the only proper way to go. They will only lend to those with the ability to pay. (Think co-signer.)

Government loans to education are a bad idea. There is no collateral — how do you repo an education?

We have been receiving letters and phone calls since the early 1980s due to some student deadbeat who gave our address. I guess this also means there is no verification before lending.

An additional downside is that colleges and universities have no incentive to hold down costs, since the taxpayers will pay regardless.

While education is a good idea, there is no guaranty or right to such. Our public schools have treated it as a given and look at the result. Kids who need it most seem to value it least.

My dad had to drop out of high school in his senior year to provide for the family when his dad had a stroke. He never stopped learning and instilled they value of education in me. I paid for much of what I got too.