According to the College Board’s recent report, college tuitions in the past five years have skyrocketed upward more rapidly than at any other time in the past thirty years—an enormous increase of 40%.  This is occurring while Americans are earning even less. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average weekly take-home pay for all Americans has actually decreased from $331 in the first quarter of 2002 to $327 in the first quarter of 2008. However, due to the recent credit crisis, student loans are becoming more difficult to secure. More than fifty student lenders, such as College Loan Corporation, HSBC, and Washington Mutual, no longer issue federally guaranteed loans. The situation became dire enough for the government to intervene. Congress recently voted for legislation channeling funds to state guaranty agencies, which could then offer resources to colleges needing financial support for loans. This legislation, which is now in effect, will transform the federal government into the largest provider of student loans, replacing traditional lenders. Detractors contend that the legislation might dissuade parents and students from selecting private-sector options. But prominent representatives, including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, are championing further extending the government’s role in student loans. In this issue, there is some measure of bipartisan accord. In an interview with David Cho from the Washington Post, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings stated,  "Families should have concerns about big tuition increases, year over year, and our broken financing system… it's as if we are trying to keep kids out of college."