Beginning in the 1920s, the Brazos River basin produced more than 18 million barrels of oil a year. Today, the area is churning out student loans under Brazos Higher Education Service Corp., a group of primarily non-for-profit companies that originates and services student loans for US lending institutions. It is one of the nation's largest student loan holders with assets totaling more than $5 billion. In addition to financial aid, the group helps undergraduate and graduate students find grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Founded in 1975, Brazos Higher Education Service Corp. operates offices in Texas, Arkansas, California, Florida, and Virginia.