Higher Ed Policy Roundup: Vol. 10 - Issue 14

This Week In Washington

Today, the Department of Education (ED) unveiled their final rule on Federal student loan programs coming from the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee. The rule explains how ED will define professional and graduate programs, set loan caps for these programs, and implement two new repayment plans. Despite negotiators’ efforts to expand professional programs, the definition of professional student has remained unchanged from the draft regulations. Only 11 programs will receive access to the $200,000 professional degree loan limit. The new loan limits outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will take effect beginning July 1.

Earlier this week, ED announced the launch of a new, real-time fraud detection system embedded in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The system uses identity screening to evaluate applicants, flagging those identified as high risk, and requiring them to provide further identification with their application. ED is using the new technology to review all 2026-27 FAFSA submissions. Additional measures include data sharing with the Social Security Administration and resuming post-screening processes to limit overpayments.

News You Can Use

The Education Policy Institute published data showing the average cost of attendance at institutions for the 2024-25 academic year. The data highlights a significant variation in college costs across sectors, finding that tuition and fees are the primary driver of these differences.

According to new analysis by UCLA’s Latino Policy & Politics Institute, the new federal limits on student borrowing could make law school less accessible for Latinos and reduce representation in the legal profession. With Latinos making up 19% of the U.S. population in 2025, but only six percent of lawyers nationwide, the new borrowing restrictions could make becoming a lawyer even harder for students that depend more on federal loans.

Recent Legislation

The following bills have been recently introduced for consideration by the 119th Congress (2025-26):

S. 4428 – No Aid for Ghost Students Act [Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL)] would amend the Higher Education Act to require the use of an identity fraud detection system in reviewing Free Applications for Federal Student Aid.

S. 4431 – [Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY)] would amend the Higher Education Act to provide comprehensive student achievement information.

S. 4435 – [Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)] would establish requirements for financial aid offers made by institutions of higher education.