Along with the good news of Stafford loans for 2013-2014 held at 3.4% retroactive to July 1, comes this:

“The U.S. government will continue to reap a windfall. The federal government makes a huge profit on providing college assistance. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the government will generate $184 billion in profits from its college loan programs over the next decade. For 2013 the CBO has projected that the U.S. will make a record $50 billion off federal student loans.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500395_162-57597680/6-things-to-know-about-the-new-student-loan-rates/