Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, karen roach

Online learners enrolled in accredited programs can qualify for federal loans and grants. But, according to a recent NPR article, some lenders have pulled out of the federal student loan program due to the credit crisis. They report:

"...With the economy in a downward spiral, lenders have been pulling out. Funding for new loans has dried up, and public confidence in the program seems shaky for the first time.

Since its creation in 1965, some experts in the banking industry have called the federal student loan program the most successful public-private partnership ever created. Until now.

"What the future is going to be is questionable," says Harrison Wadsworth, special counsel to the Consumer Bankers Association. "Lenders have pulled out. Some of them won't come back."

If you're a student relying on aid, there's no need to panic. There are still many lenders offering aid and your school's financial aid counselors can help you navigate all of the necessary forms. To beat the student rush, consider getting an early start on your application.