Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Thomas Perkins
Some online college students may have more difficulty securing student loans in the coming semester. It seems that the mortgage crisis has affected more than just homeowners. NPR reports:

"Driven by the credit crunch, big banks are cutting back student loan programs, nixing cash access for students at community colleges and small four-year colleges deemed "less competitive."

The mortgage industry crisis, says Robert Shireman of the Project on Student Debt, has affected college lending as well, even though most college loans are federally guaranteed. "The problems in the mortgage industry caused a virus of sorts, which upset the way that a lot of different types of loans were financed, even these very secure loans that are essentially co-signed by the federal government," he said."

Despite this issue, most students will still be able to take out loans. However, it may require a bit of searching to find a bank that will lend. Potential students worried about loan issues should talk to their school's financial aid office - most schools have a list of lenders happy to work with them.