Higher Ed Policy Roundup: Vol. 10 - Issue 16

This Week In Washington

Last week, the Department of Education’s (ED) Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization Committee reached consensus on a package of proposed regulations that will reshape expectations for accreditors. Negotiators reached consensus on key changes, including reducing barriers for new accreditors that will bring more competition, simplifying the recognition process to change between existing accreditors, ensuring that students can transfer credits that they have earned elsewhere, and eliminating diversity standards. ED argues that these changes will “protect the integrity of academic research and prioritize intellectual diversity amongst faculty in order to advance academic freedom, intellectual inquiry, and student learning.”

As a result of the consensus agreement, ED will release a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in July, with final regulations published in November. They are expected to go into effect July 2027.

News You Can Use

The New York Times published an article discussing what SAVE borrowers can expect as they choose a new repayment plan. The article outlines expected payment costs, repayment options, and explains new plan options available to Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) borrowers.

The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems released a report analyzing how deeply state financial aid systems rely on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The report found that FAFSA simplification and federal system changes created significant administrative burdens for states, including delays in data delivery and software implementation challenges.

Recent Legislation

There were no relevant student-aid related bills recently introduced for consideration by the 119th Congress (2025-26).