2026-2027 COD Technical Reference and OBBBA Amendments

FSA Partners Knowledge Center

Published February 27th, 2026

Detected March 1st, 2026

Summary

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.

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What changed

The U.S. Department of Education, through Federal Student Aid, has released a partial 2026-2027 Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) Technical Reference, providing development information for the upcoming award year. Additionally, the notice addresses amendments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) to the Higher Education Act of 1965, some of which are effective immediately and others on July 1, 2026. The Department is preparing presentations and documents to aid in the implementation of these provisions, emphasizing that this information is preliminary and subject to change based on the ongoing rulemaking process.

Regulated entities, including vendors, servicers, and partners, should review the partial technical reference and be aware of the upcoming OBBBA amendments. While this information provides a framework for system development, final system changes will not be implemented until a final rule is published. Stakeholders are advised to prepare for potential changes and await further updates from the Department of Education regarding the rulemaking process and system implementations.

What to do next

Review the partial 2026-2027 COD Technical Reference for development information.
Monitor upcoming rulemaking and final rule publications regarding OBBBA amendments.
Prepare systems for potential changes effective July 1, 2026, and beyond, noting that information is preliminary.

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Posted Date February 27, 2026 Author Federal Student Aid Electronic Announcement ID COD-26-03 Subject 2026–2027 COD Technical Reference (Partial) Now Available

We have posted a partial version of the 2026-2027 Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) Technical Reference which contains development information for the 2026–27 award year.

Note: The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) makes numerous amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), some of which became effective upon enactment of OBBBA while others will become effective on July 1, 2026, and beyond. To ensure that the U.S. Department of Education (ED) can implement those provisions that are effective now or will become effective on July 1, 2026, ED is drafting presentations and documents in advance of publication of a final rule on these topics. These presentations and documents are intended to ensure that vendors, servicers, partners and stakeholders have the requisite time to prepare for the implementation of the OBBBA. However, the information is subject to change depending upon ED's rulemaking process. ED has not prejudged the outcome of that negotiated rulemaking process. This information provides a structure for vendors, servicers, partners and stakeholders to begin building these systems, but it does not impair, prevent, or control policy decisions that may be made by ED. The information is preliminary, and ED, including its vendors and servicers, will not launch any new systems or make final system changes that are public facing until ED publishes a final rule on these topics. ED will provide additional information if any changes are made during the rulemaking process.

Contact Information

If you have questions, contact the FSA Partner and School Relations Center at 1-800-848-0978. The contact center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. You may also email CODSupport@ed.gov.