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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 JYtpouHYrhIgNfZxnWypS5JZAPnX7a+/BUTv2JlMY/ClwjquKSSZOF7ScFrtRECy
 jtTUICEDquVHBAbHBFkjcw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-038996.txt : 20040805
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-038996.hdr.sgml : 20040805
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040805182322
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-038996
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040517
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040805

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HUGHES RICHARD J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001221765

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-29995
		FILM NUMBER:		04955854

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1335 SUTTER STREET
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92103

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EDUCATION LENDING GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001103313
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6141]
		IRS NUMBER:				330851387
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12760 HIGH BLUFF DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 210
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92130
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8586176080

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12760 HIGH BLUFF DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 210
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92130

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DIRECT III MARKETING INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20000316
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd49861.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001103313</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EDUCATION LENDING GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EDLG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001221765</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HUGHES RICHARD J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1335 SUTTER STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN DIEGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92103</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.29</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-05-17</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">In addition, Mr. Hughes directly owns 23,500 options (rights to buy common stock) that are currently exercisable.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard J. Hughes</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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