Higher Ed Policy Roundup: Vol. 9 - Issue 13

On Thursday, the Education Department (ED) announced that it would undertake a negotiated rulemaking process to make changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and income-driven repayment plans. Specifically, ED is interested in refining the definition of a qualifying employer for the purposes of determining eligibility for the PSLF program, in alignment with a recent executive order signed by the president. The rulemaking committee will also be tasked with proposing changes to the Pay As You Earn and Income-Contingent Repayment Plans. ED will hold two public hearings to solicit feedback about the rulemaking topics: (1) April 29 (in-person) and (2) May 1 (virtual). You can also provide written feedback within 30 days at Regulations.gov.

On Wednesday, ED announced that Chief Operating Officer for the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) and former Acting U.S. Secretary of Education, Denise Carter, will retire. Acting Under Secretary, James Bergeron, will serve as Acting Chief Operating Officer for FSA.

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators published an overview of the budget reconciliation process, detailing its implications for higher education funding, the current landscape, and the next steps.

Third Way recently published a report discussing how privatizing student loans is not a simple solution to federal student loan reform. The report unpacks claims regarding privatization and explores its implications.

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

H.R. 2272 – Freeze Aid for Student Assaulters (FAFSA) Act [Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11)] would strip federal student aid from those convicted of assaulting police officers or participating in riots.

H.R. 2276 – Combatting Racist Teaching Act [Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX-21)] would prohibit the awarding of federal funding to institutions that teach critical race theory.

S. 1123 – College Employment Accountability Act [Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN)] would bar higher education institutions that employ undocumented immigrants from receiving federal assistance or institutional aid and mandate their participation in the E-Verify program to qualify for Title IV of the Higher Education Act. A companion bill, H.R. 2367, was introduced in the House by Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN-9).

H.R. 2374 – American Students First Act [Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC-1)] would block public higher education institutions that offer in-state tuition or state-based financial aid to undocumented immigrants from receiving federal financial assistance.

H.R. 2386 – Make Education Great Again Act [Rep. Andrew Ogles (R-TN-5)] would codify President Trump’s executive order to close the Department of Education and authorize any cuts made by the Secretary.

S. 1182 – Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act [Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)] would prohibit higher education institutions that authorize antisemitic events on campus from participating in Title IV of the Higher Education Act. A companion bill, H.R. 2446, was introduced in the House by Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY-17).

H.R. 2456 – [Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-1)] would terminate the Department of Education.

H.R. 2490 – [Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-2)] would prohibit higher education institutions that offer in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants from receiving federal assistance authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.

S. 1220 – Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment (SOAR) Act [Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)] would establish a new income-contingent repayment plan, linking payments to a borrower’s income and family size.