Our History
1960s
1965
The federal Higher Education Act, which provides grants, loans and work-study jobs to make college available to all, establishes the Guaranteed Student Loan program.
The Guaranteed Student Loan program is introduced in Wisconsin.
1990s
1992
The Guaranteed Student Loan program is renamed the Federal Family Education Loan Program in the Higher Education Amendments of 1992.
2000s
2010s
2010
The Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 becomes law. It signifies that all federal Stafford, PLUS, and consolidation loans will be processed through the Federal Direct Loan Program, ending the Federal Family Education Loan Program.
2012
The Iowa College Student Aid Commission loan portfolio is transferred to Great Lakes.
NorthStar Education Services becomes an affiliate of Great Lakes.
2017
The nation’s largest guarantor, United Student Aid Funds, and its subsidiary, Northwest Education Loan Association, join Great Lakes.
Great Lakes launches Attigo, a suite of student success products, and Campus Sonar, a social listening service for colleges.
1960s
1965
The federal Higher Education Act, which provides grants, loans and work-study jobs to make college available to all, establishes the Guaranteed Student Loan program.
The Guaranteed Student Loan program is introduced in Wisconsin.
1966
Wisconsin establishes the Higher Educational Aids Board to administer the Guaranteed Student Loan program.
1970s
1980s
1984
The Higher Educational Aids Board transfers all guaranteed student loan operations to the Wisconsin Higher Education Corporation, which begins operating as an independent, self-administered nonprofit corporation.
1990s
1992
The Guaranteed Student Loan program is renamed the Federal Family Education Loan Program in the Higher Education Amendments of 1992.
1994
The U.S. Department of Education appoints Great Lakes as the new guarantor of Puerto Rico.
In response to the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, Great Lakes launches a default rehabilitation program to help borrowers avoid the negative long-term consequences of default.
1995
Great Lakes begins providing origination and repayment servicing to KeyBank in support of KeyBank Alternative Loans.
2000s
2010s
2010
The Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 becomes law. It signifies that all federal Stafford, PLUS, and consolidation loans will be processed through the Federal Direct Loan Program, ending the Federal Family Education Loan Program.
2012
The Iowa College Student Aid Commission loan portfolio is transferred to Great Lakes.
NorthStar Education Services becomes an affiliate of Great Lakes.
2014
Great Lakes becomes the designated guarantor for Arkansas.
Great Lakes begins providing support for the outstanding Federal Family Education Loan Program loans guaranteed by the Missouri Department of Higher Education.
2016
Great Lakes’ student loan servicing unit, Great Lakes Educational Loan Services Inc., and Nelnet Loan Servicing LLC form a partnership and start operating as GreatNet Solutions LLC.
Great Lakes becomes the designated guarantor for North Dakota.
2017
The nation’s largest guarantor, United Student Aid Funds, and its subsidiary, Northwest Education Loan Association, join Great Lakes.
Great Lakes launches Attigo, a suite of student success products, and Campus Sonar, a social listening service for colleges.
2018
Nelnet Inc. acquires Great Lakes Educational Loan Services Inc.
Ascendium Education Group is formed. It consists of student loan guaranty services, education philanthropy, Attigo, Campus Sonar and NorthStar.