What is a guaranty agency?
A. The Missouri Department of Higher Education Student Loan Program is a guaranty agency that basically insures student loans for private lenders. On behalf of the U.S. Department of Education, the MDHE guarantees lenders that when they make a student loan they will receive payment on the loan, whether by the borrower, or claim payment by the MDHE. If a borrower dies, becomes totally and permanently disabled, files certain types of bankruptcy, defaults, etc. the MDHE will purchase the loan from the lender.