Bold white text reading 'BREAKING NEWS' on a blue background with repeated faint 'NEWS' text and NASFAA Today's News logo.
JUST IN🚨Trump’s FY 2027 Budget Request Would Eliminate FSEOG, Slash FWS Funding, Increase Pell Grant
The administration requests $76.5 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Education for FY 27, a $2.3 billion, or 2.9%, decrease from FY 26 enacted level: https://ow.ly/qtY450YCXAe
That was the prequel to mine calling it quits.
Resetting and then repairing the watch w/ iPhone kept it alive for a few more weeks but eventually the issue returned and would shut off once it dipped below a 60% charge.
Three panelists seated on stage during a discussion event with an American flag and a state flag behind them.
McMahon Recounts First Year Priorities, FAFSA Launch, Focus on ROI, OBBBA Implementation, and More During FSA’s In-Person Conference
The FSA training conference kicked off its first session on Wednesday, marking its first in-person convening since 2019: https://ow.ly/CEzo50YpChg
Attendees gather around a conference table engaging with speakers at the 2026 Leadership NASFAA event under blue circular lights.
Over 465 financial aid professionals convened in Washington, D.C. on Monday for the first day of NASFAA's annual Leadership & Legislative Conference & Expo at a time when financial aid professionals are bracing for significant student aid policy changes: https://ow.ly/Hh5v50YchSU #NASFAALeads26
Defaulted student loan borrowers will not be subject to involuntary collections while the Department of Education rolls out provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which significantly reshape the student loan program through the negotiated rulemaking process: https://ow.ly/SKtG50Y0n1w
Government officials and committee members seated around a U-shaped table take a consensus vote during a Department of Education Workforce Pell Committee session.
AHEAD Committee Reaches Consensus On Entire Accountability Package
Amidst much debate over the new accountability framework, negotiators reached consensus on a package of accountability measures related to changes enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: https://ow.ly/JI1k50XVxCe
Panel of officials seated at a conference table during the Department of Education's AHEAD Workforce Pell Committee AM session.
The Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee began its second session of negotiated rulemaking, focusing on the new accountability framework enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: https://ow.ly/PuyJ50XSpVp
Negotiators seated around a U-shaped table with their thumbs up voting on the Department of Education's Pell package
Consensus Reached: The Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee approved the Department of Education's entire package of seven issue topics, which primarily focuses on creating a new #WorkforcePell program: https://ow.ly/7Ebu50XJEbN
Presenter and sign language interpreter during a Department of Education session on Workforce Pell Grants eligibility criteria and program summary.
AHEAD’s Second Day of Rulemaking Explores Revisions to Regulatory Text and ED’s Effort to Implement Workforce Pell by 2026-27
Read NASFAA's recap of AHEAD neg reg day two: https://ow.ly/PiIC50XGPT0
During parts of the discussion, Workforce Pell is being spoken of as if it is a new program when it is really an expansion of the Pell Grant program, where new short-term academic programs could become eligible for the award.
ED is seeking to reach consensus on Workforce Pell by the end of the week, and covered a lot of ground during Monday's session. www.nasfaa.org/news-item/37...
Another week of NegReg is about to get underway, focusing on new regulations for the Workforce Pell and the interaction between Pell and Cost of Attendance for certain students.
Here's what's on the agenda/issue papers for the AHEAD committee: www.nasfaa.org/news-item/37...
White House Continues Effort to Dismantle ED With New Agency Partnerships
The Trump administration's effort to fully dismantle the Department of Education continued on Tuesday with six new interagency agreements (IAAs) aimed at transferring several of the department’s responsibilities to other federal agencies: https://ow.ly/uf8850Xu4IO
What’s the HEA Without Reauthorization? By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
What’s the HEA Without Reauthorization?
While the Higher Education Act recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, it hasn’t been reauthorized in nearly 20 years even though the law is meant to be reauthorized every five years: https://ow.ly/FW3A50XprEU
Department of Education negotiators
Consensus Reached: RISE Committee Supports Entire Package of OBBBA Provisions
Yesterday, amid much debate over the definition of professional student, degree, and other key student aid provisions, negotiators reached consensus on the entire package of 17 proposals: https://ow.ly/Sy1Y50XonKW
A screenshot from an article that contains the following text: “Cassidy also expressed concerns about expanding support programs and gave an example of one student using either Pell Grant funds or unrestricted scholarship money to purchase furniture. They ultimately left college with a lot of debt. ‘The more money you provide, the more people will take it up, even if it is not necessary, rather it is just optional,’ Cassidy said. ‘My wife, she borrowed money as a medical student and went to Australia, I chuckle because I paid off that loan.’”
Senators shared some of their experiences with student loans during a brief hearing on transparency and affordability in higher education.
Here’s an anecdote from Sen. Cassidy:
RISE Neg Reg Committee Convenes Again to Continue Discussion of New Loan Limit Provisions
The RISE committee kicked off its second session of neg reg on Monday, focusing on the new prorated loan limits for students enrolled in less-than-full time: ow.ly/jYKF50XmqBW
Six more status reports, with further details on the number of pending and outstanding applications, will also be issued on a monthly basis once the shutdown ends.
‘This Is a Whole New Territory:’ Neg Reg Committee Makes Progress on Definition of Professional Student.
Read NASFAA's recap of the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee's third day of negotiated rulemaking: https://ow.ly/bjO450X5E2g
NegReg goes on but lots of other services are on pause. This week @nasfaa.bsky.social focused on the initial fallout a lapse in appropriations for FY 26 is having on @usedgov.bsky.social
TBD on what impact an extended shutdown could have on the significant backlog of pending income-driven repayment (IDR) applications and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Buyback program.
inject this into my sweater covered veins!!!
Here's a recap of the RISE committee's first day with ED, clarifying that they intend to implement a final rule by July 1, 2026. www.nasfaa.org/news-item/37...
Looks like NegReg will continue in person in the event of a shutdown.
More details on ED's contingency plan in case of a shutdown: www.nasfaa.org/news-item/37...
The recently released Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) negotiated rulemaking issue papers reveal the Department of Education's plans for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act #StudentLoan provisions while leaving some questions unanswered: https://ow.ly/BBKq50X2S2T
This NegReg session will kick off on Monday Sept. 29, tbd on how a possible mid-week government shutdown could impact the schedule
RISE Commitee issue papers, focusing on changes to the federal student loan program, are live: www.ed.gov/laws-and-pol...
here’s a graphic from the launch press release with a lever labeled “Biden, Beta, FAFSA, Live”