Washington — When the Rethinking Student Aid study group released its report a couple of weeks ago, it seemed like a great time to draw national attention to the independent group’s proposals to streamline and improve the federal student-aid system. But in the days between the report’s release and the group’s scheduled policy forum today on Capitol Hill, the government has been fixated on the economic downturn and the $700-billion bailout bill.

Even so, the discussion was well attended by higher-education leaders and advocates, as well as a few Congressional and state-government staff members. Those assembled were largely supportive of the group’s efforts, though some questioned its recommendations, particularly the decision to keep a tax credit for higher education despite focusing on the needs of low-income students.

The student-aid system remains an important national issue, said Michael S. McPherson, co-chair of the group and president of the Spencer Foundation, whose mission is to improve educaiton around the world. “We’ve spent a lot of time and a huge amount of energy trying to get this bailout ready.” But, he said, “25 years from now, it matters more we get [the education system] right than that we get the bailout right.”

The group next plans to reach out to state legislatures and college students, said Sandy Baum, its other co-chair. —Beckie Supiano