FSA Partners Knowledge Center

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).

Annual Notice of Variable-Rate FFEL Loan Interest Rates

The Department of Education has published its annual notice of variable interest rates for Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans made prior to July 1, 2010. These rates are effective for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

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.

Federal Student Loan Interest Rates Announced for July 2025-June 2026

The US Department of Education announced the annual interest rates for fixed-rate Federal Student Loans made under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. These rates apply to loans with first disbursement dates between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

Student Loan Interest Payment Reporting for 2025

Federal Student Aid announced guidance on reporting student loan interest payments for the 2025 tax year. Loan servicers will report interest payments to the IRS on Form 1098-E if a borrower paid $600 or more in interest during the year.

2026-2027 COD Technical Reference and OBBBA Amendments

The U.S. Department of Education has posted a partial 2026-2027 Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) Technical Reference. This notice also addresses amendments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that will become effective July 1, 2026, with preliminary information subject to change pending final rulemaking.

EDExpress Software Update for COD Country Code Reporting

The U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid has released an update for EDExpress 2025-26, Release 2.0. This update corrects an issue with reporting U.S. territory country codes to the COD System, ensuring proper data submission for students from these regions.

2026-2027 COD Technical Reference Published

The U.S. Department of Education has published the 2026-2027 Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) Technical Reference. This document provides development information for the upcoming award year and details amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.