The issue focused on tax laws and regulations that govern federal government financial aid. It also raised issues about whether public institutions were reaching into their legal rights to negotiate more favorable conditions for federal student loans.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Justice Department lawyer Eric Wilensky said the court will now consider "whether or not this Court has jurisdiction over these constitutional questions."

This lawsuit was brought by public interest law firm Public Justice, which represents public universities in lawsuits against the federal government. The lawyers