Higher Ed Policy Roundup: Vol. 10 - Issue 2

This Week In Washington

Last Friday, the Education Department’s (ED) Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee reached consensus on a proposed rule to implement accountability provisions within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and revise the Gainful Employment rule (GE).

Negotiators proposed to eliminate the GE “debt-to-earnings” metric and create a single earnings-based accountability standard to use along with the new system called the Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS). Programs would fail the new accountability standard if the median earnings of program completers is less than or equal to median earnings of working adults with a lower level of education. Next, ED will publish the draft rule in the Federal Register for public comment. The new accountability provisions must take effect by July 1st based on the statute.

News You Can Use

The New Democrat Coalition released their Workforce and Education Agenda which highlights making education more affordable, increasing the Pell Grant, and expanding access to postsecondary programs for low-and middle-income families.

The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) released their annual report on the top 10 policy priorities ranked by state higher education leaders. College affordability increased in priority compared to previous years, and higher education value proposition was also a priority for leaders.

According to the latest data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, overall college enrollment increased one percent in 2025, yet graduate enrollment declined by 0.3%. In fall 2025, about 10,000 fewer international students enrolled in U.S. graduate programs compared to 2024.

Recent Legislation

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