All of this is true, but the implication when we say something like "most of it was paid off" is that the money has actually been returned. In reality, most of it was paid off using new loans that are not under EESA. I could say "I paid off all the credit card debt I accumulated in the last 5 years" after I get two new credit cards and transfer my balances to them, but it would be a bit underhanded to say that.

:)