This hearing represents the eighth in the series of Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions' hearings preparing to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. The primary focus of this hearing is strengthening Federal loan programs to ensure they are working well for students and families. Statements from the following committee members are given: (1) Honorable Tom Harkin (Chairman, opening statement); (2) Honorable Lamar Alexander, a U.S. Senator from the State of Tennessee (opening statement); (3) Honorable Jack Reed, a U.S. Senator from the State of Rhode Island; (4) Honorable Richard J. Durbin, a U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois; (5) Honorable Elizabeth Warren, a U.S. Senator from the State of Massachusetts; (6) Honorable Tammy Baldwin, a U.S. Senator from the State of Wisconsin; (7) Honorable Christopher Murphy, a U.S. Senator from the State of Connecticut; (8) Honorable Al Franken, a U.S. Senator from the State of Minnesota; and (9) Honorable Patty Murray, a U.S. Senator from the State of Washington. Prepared witness statements are given by: (1) James W. Runcie, Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC; (2) Michelle Asha Cooper, B.A., M.P.S., Ph.D., President, Institute for Higher Education Policy, Washington, DC; (3) Deanne Loonin, National Consumer Law Center, Boston, Massachusetts; (4) Roberta L. Johnson, Director of Student Financial Aid, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa; and (5) Marian M. Dill, Director of Student Financial Aid, Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee. Also included are: (1) Additional comments from Marion Dill in response to Senator Harkin's request (regarding S. 546--Smarter Borrowing Act) and Senator Alexander's requests; and (2) Response by James W. Runcie to questions of Senator Hagan and Senator Warren.