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After Wall Street practices brought down the entire U.S. and parts of the world economies, Congress finally stepped up in July 2010 and enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The centerpiece of this landmark legislation is the creation of the Student PIRG-backed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a new agency that will act as a counterbalance to the banks and ensure that the credit cards, mortgages, and student loans that consumers use are safe and easy to understand. As of July 21, 2010, when you have a complaint about a bank or credit card company, you can call on the new CFPB, which is already online at www.ConsumerFinance.gov. 

A college degree is practically a necessity these days, not only for the individual student, but for the economic and social health of the country. But as states cut budgets, and grant aid has diminished, students are relying on loans to pay for college.