Fall out of the Economy and students

The fall out of economy is causing a lot of speculation in the news. My question is about the affects of this problem. What will happen to students, especially those on loans? Right now there are no definable answers that I know of. Will this problem make loans take long to come through red tape? Or will some people not receive them at all?
Right now all that seems to be happening are vague long term plans and pointing fingers. But do we still have to worry with the bailout that passed through Congress? Outside of this plan I have not heard much about concrete solutions. If nothing else the news coverage has made me pay closer attention to the current events.

The problems according to the news started in Wall street. That the government did not regulate enough, that the regulation issues are the reason for the bailout now. Each side of the government, the republicans and democrats say that it was the other side's fault. it is weird to think that "whodunit" should not matter now? I know supposedly that the blame will help either side in the presidential campaign but I do not understand the point anymore. Right now what is needed is a safer way to continue on Wall street.