Bush signs law cutting student lender subsidies

Bush, who had originally called for smaller subsidy cuts, backed the more aggressive legislation drafted by Democrats that will see $11.4 billion in savings go to federal grants for college students.

"Today is a reaffirmation of our commitment, our determination to help more Americans realize dreams by getting a good education," Bush said before signing the bill.

Congress passed the overhaul of the troubled student loan industry's subsidy structure on September 7, after months of lobbying by critics of the business, backed by Democrats, and the powerful lender community, tied closely to Republicans.

In the end, the $85-billion industry suffered a profit pinching setback that raised doubts about the proposed sale of industry leader Sallie Mae to a group of private equity funds and banks. Sallie's share price was recovering in midday trading on Thursday on news of a possible deal renegotiation.

After the signing ceremony with Bush, Democratic California Rep. George Miller, a key backer of the legislation, said, "This bill will help ensure that no qualified student is prevented from going to college because of the cost."

College costs have soared in recent years in the United States, forcing students to rely increasingly on loans and driving growth for banks and specialized student lender firms such as Nelnet Inc and First Marblehead Corp.

The new law specifically cuts the "special allowance payment" subsidy to for-profit companies that make federally guaranteed student loans by 0.55 of a percentage point. Bush had proposed a 0.50 percentage point cut in his budget.

It cuts interest rates on need-based loans in half, to 3.4 percent, over four years; raises the annual student Pell grant ceiling to $5,400 a year by 2012 from $4,310; and caps student loan repayments at 15 percent of monthly income.

Bush had wanted more Pell grant funding, but Democrats directed some of the savings to other areas.