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Policy and Advocacy Financial Aid Student Loans News Summary
Policy and Advocacy Financial Aid Student Loans News Summary

Higher Ed Policy Roundup: Vol. 10 - Issue 18

This Week In Washington

On Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee advanced the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The bill would provide $70.7 billion for the Department of Education (ED), which is an $8 billion reduction from last year.

Ahead of the markup, the Appropriations Committee released its bill report. The report outlines the following in addition to the proposed funding level:

  • Within the $2.059 billion provided to Federal Student Aid (FSA) administration, $1 billion is designated for loan servicing.
  • ED must continue monthly briefings on student loan repayment and servicing operations and requires a detailed FY27 spend plan for FSA administration.

During the markup, lawmakers adopted a bipartisan manager’s amendment with a voice vote. The amendment would require ED to classify advanced nursing programs as professional degree programs for federal student loan purposes. Next, the bill will move to the House floor for a vote.

News You Can Use

Third Way published a memo outlining the efforts underway by states to apply the new Federal earnings test for academic program accountability. The earnings test was established in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and will take effect on July 1.

The Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations (COHEAO) released a report analyzing the impact of upcoming federal graduate and professional student loan limits. According to the report, the effects of the new loan limits are expected to vary significantly across institutions, programs, and states.

Recent Legislation

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

H.R. 9166 – Student Loan Refinancing Act of 2026 [Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH-10)] would amend the Higher Education Act (HEA) to provide for the refinancing of certain federal student loans.

S.J.Res.196 - [Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)] is a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by ED relating to Reimaging and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee’s Federal Student Loan Program Final regulations.

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