HB 5361

Abstract

Amends the Higher Education Loan Act. Creates the Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act. Provides that before a private educational lender makes a private education loan to a student who attends an institution of higher education, the private educational lender must obtain certification from the institution about the student borrower's: (i) enrollment status, (ii) cost of attendance, and (iii) the difference between the cost of attendance and the borrower's estimated financial assistance from all sources. Allows a private educational lender to disburse the funds of a private education loan if the institution of higher education fails to provide the requested certification within 15 business days of the request. Requires the private educational lender to provide notice to the institution that the loan has been disbursed without the certification. Requires a private educational lender to submit annual reports to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and to the Student Loan Ombudsman. Sets forth the requirements that must be included on the loan statement of a private educational loan. Provides that the institution of higher education must inform the student borrower of his or her lending options and whether the student has applied for or exhausted all available sources of federal financial assistance. Effective immediately.