Student loan default rates have fallen nationwide for the ninth consecutive year, dropping below 6 percent for the first time since the Education Department began compiling the stats.

West Michigan colleges and universities mirrored the nationwide trend for the most part.

Calvin College had a default rate of 1.4% for fiscal year 1999. That was one of the best marks in the area. The school had 810 graduates repaying government loans in fiscal year 1999 with just 12 in default. Calvin's rate in 1998 and 1997 was 1.9%.

Reformed Bible College was at a perfect 0% in 1999 with 51 students repaying government loans and none in default. Hope College was at 1.9%, Cornerstone 2.9%, Grand Valley 3.2%, Aquinas 3.3%, Grand Rapids Community College 8.6%, Grace Bible 10.0% and Davenport 10.3%.

The rates measure borrowers who defaulted within 12 to 24 months of leaving college in 1999. Despite the good news Education Department officials cautioned that rates could rise in coming years if the economy continues to lag.

"Economic conditions do affect these rates," said William D. Hansen, the Education Department's deputy secretary. "It's a reality we do need to be aware of."

Secretary of education Roderick R. Paige praised colleges and universities for helping graduates stay out of default.

The low national default rate reflects a concerted effort by schools and colleges to increase borrower awareness of their repayment obligations, track borrower delinquencies, and counsel borrowers who get behind in their payments," he said.

Hansen added that borrowers who are struggling to pay off their loans should take advantage of flexible-repayment options that allow them to make smaller monthly loan payments.

Private four-year colleges nationwide had the lowest default rate for 1999 at 3.7%. Public four-year colleges were at 4.6%, while public two-year colleges were at 8.8%.

To look up individual schools and their 3-year rates, see:.