A survey on the Guaranteed Student Loan Program (GSL) was conducted in 1986 by the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA). Responses by 103 member institutions provided information on student loan operations, the student lending climate, and proposed amendments to the GSL program. Institutions were divided into four asset categories. The larger institutions, as measured by asset size, made the bulk of student loans. Of those institutions under $500 million in assets, 17 made $33.95 million in student loans during 1985; 21 institutions with between $500 million and $1.5 billion in assets made $62.09 million in GSLs; for institutions between $1.5 billion and $5 billion, 21 indicated they had made GSLs for a combined total of $370.52 million. The 32 institutions with assets above $5 billion made $1,657.62 million in student loans. Eighty-three of the respondents ranked the relative net profitability of student lending activities compared to other consumer installment loan products. A significant adverse impact on the GSL program from the recently enacted Gramm-Rudman-Hollings balanced budget amendment was identified; 60% of respondents indicated that they would be adversely affected by the measure. Information was also obtained on advertising of GSLs, loan management, and default prevention practices. (SW)