Government Relations Updates

CECU's Government Relations team provides members with the latest news and information regarding legislative and regulatory developments impacting postsecondary career education. Our team of experts monitors federal policy proposals and engages with policymakers to advocate for policies that support our institutions and the students they serve. Stay informed and up-to-date with the latest insights on issues such as gainful employment, borrower defense to repayment, 90/10, and short-term Pell Grants. Check back regularly for updates and analysis on the ever-evolving landscape of higher education policy.

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Department Guidance on New Version of 150%/Program Length Rule Changes Little

4/18/2024

The U.S. Department of Education recently issued guidance on changes to the program length rule for gainful employment (GE) programs. However, this guidance falls short of providing significant relief or clarity for institutions.

Department Publishes Proposed Student Debt Relief Rule

4/16/2024

The U.S. Department of Education released a draft rule to provide additional student loan debt relief through waiver authorities. The draft rule includes nine separate rules that permit separate and distinct types of waivers.

House Committees Examine Department of Education Policy and Programs

4/10/2024

The Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development discussed FAFSA rollout issues, while the Appropriations Subcommittee questioned Secretary Cardona on the President's Budget Request for 2025.

Department Addresses 150% Rule in Today’s Clarification for New Certification Procedures Requirement

4/09/2024

The Department has provided clarifications on its enforcement approach to provisions within the new Certification Procedures regulations concerning the program length cap for gainful employment programs, previously referred to as the “150% Rule.”

5th Circuit Rules Against Department’s “Almost Certainly Unlawful” Borrower Defense Rule

4/04/2024

The Fifth Circuit held that the Biden BDR Rule would cause irreparable harm to schools without a preliminary injunction and that the District Court erred in finding no irreparable harm.

Department Delays Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment Reporting

3/29/2024

The U.S. Department of Education released an Electronic Announcement on the Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) regulations, which delays institutional reporting requirements from July 31 until October 1, 2024.

Second Lawsuit Against Gainful Employment Filed

3/21/2024

A new complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s gainful employment rule.

Ask Your Member of Congress to Co-Sponsor Smucker Bill on 150 Clock Hour Rule

3/19/2024

Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) is introducing the Clock Hour Student Protection Act this week. This bill restores the 150 percent clock hour rule that was vacated by the Department of Education under its rule-making procedure.

Biden’s 2025 Budget Excludes For-Profit Students in Pell Grant Increase

3/11/2024

President Biden released his proposed FY 2025 budget, which includes increases to the Pell Grant and puts it on a path to double by 2029. However, students attending for-profit colleges are excluded from the increase.

Negotiated Rulemaking Concludes Without Consensus

3/08/2024

After extensive discussions on the Department’s proposed changes to regulations on state authorization, distance education, and accreditation, and despite multiple additional revisions by the Department, the negotiators did not reach consensus on any

Tempers Flare During Debate Over Cash Management Regulations

3/07/2024

Emotions ran high during the continuation of the discussion on proposed changes to the cash management regulations, and the session concluded with a review of the proposed changes to the accreditation regulations.

Negotiators Continue the Debate on State Regulation of Distance Education

3/06/2024

Negotiators from institutions and states reiterated concerns that the Department's proposed changes would restrict state autonomy.

Negotiators Clash on Distance Education and State Authorization

3/04/2024

Negotiators debate attendance requirements for distance education courses and prohibitions on asynchronous instruction.

After Intense Debate, NACIQI Continues Recognition for Council on Occupational Education (COE)

2/28/2024

The majority of the second day was spent discussing the Council on Occupational Education’s (COE) compliance report.

Final Neg Reg Materials Published – Consider Making Public Comments

2/27/2024

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) has published the materials for the third and final negotiated rulemaking session on Program Integrity and Institutional Quality taking place on March 4-7, 2024.

Neg Reg Committee Reaches Consensus in Final Session

2/23/2024

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) finished the additional fourth session of its Negotiated Rulemaking on Student Loan Debt Relief today, reaching consensus among the negotiators on the final version of the proposed regulatory language.

Department Begins Extra Session of Neg Reg on Student Loan Debt Relief

2/22/2024

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) began an additional fourth session of its Negotiated Rulemaking on Student Loan Debt Relief with a discussion of proposed regulatory language regarding determinations of borrower hardship.

Student Debt Relief Neg Reg to Consider Sector of Attendance for Hardship Relief

2/15/2024

This fourth session was added specifically to discuss hardship criteria for debt relief. Under "factors that substantiate hardship" the Department proposes as one of 17 factors the "sector and level of institution attended."

Department Concludes Second Session of Neg Reg with Accreditation

2/08/2024

The Department proposes a couple of significant changes with strongly divided opinions between institutions and accreditors on one side, and consumer advocates and legal aid organizations on the other.

Negotiators Discuss Return to Title IV and Accreditation Proposals

2/07/2024

As in past sessions, negotiators representing civil rights organizations and veterans argued that the current accrediting system is failing and needs significant additional regulation from the Department.

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