Education

Sunshine Act Meeting Notice

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation has published a notice for an upcoming meeting. The meeting will cover the approval of minutes, financial status, investment policy, and scholarship candidate selection.

Federal Student Aid Updates SAIG Message Class File

Federal Student Aid has updated the Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG) message class file by adding new message classes for the FAFSA Processing System. This update is automatically applied to EDconnect transmission software when users connect to the SAIG network.

NWCCU Policy Updates for US Dept of Education Compliance

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has updated five policies to align with the U.S. Department of Education's Accreditation Handbook. These revisions clarify existing expectations and adjust administrative procedures for member institutions.

NWCCU Standards Review and Revision Process Update

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has provided an update on its ongoing review and revision process for its standards and eligibility requirements. The commission has completed the initial survey phase and is preparing to draft revisions for stakeholder feedback.

NWCCU Approves Accelerated Bachelor's Degrees and Policy Updates

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners has approved removing the pilot designation for accelerated bachelor's degrees and updated policies to allow institutions to submit proposals for reduced-credit degree programs. Institutions will now have two categories for submitting substantive change proposals related to these degrees.

Accreditor Statement on FIPSE Grants and AI

Four accrediting commissions have released a joint statement regarding Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant awards and the role of Artificial Intelligence in accreditation. The statement celebrates investments in higher education innovation.

NSLDS User Guide and Record Layouts Updated

The U.S. Department of Education has updated the NSLDS Transfer Student Monitoring & Financial Aid History User Guide and Record Layouts, effective March 12, 2026. These updates, which will be implemented in late April 2026, include changes to file layouts and a new alert for loan limit exceptions, supporting the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

FAFSA Processing Updates for Pell Grant Eligibility and Workforce Programs

The Department of Education announced system updates effective April 26, 2026, to implement changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) regarding Pell Grant eligibility for workforce programs and modified loan limits. These updates affect FAFSA processing systems and the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR).

Federal Student Loan Interest Rates Notice

The U.S. Department of Education has published its annual notice of interest rates for variable-rate Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans. These rates are effective for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Comment Request: Accrediting Agencies Reporting to Dept. of Education

The Department of Education is requesting comments on reporting requirements for recognized accrediting agencies. This notice concerns the collection of information regarding institutions and programs accredited by these agencies, as mandated by the Higher Education Act.