The Secretary of Education proposes to rescind the International Education Programs regulations and the Fulbright-Hays Program Regulations to provide the Department of Education (ED) with greater flexibility in carrying out its statutory authority to implement these programs and to enable the Department to align such programs with current and evolving priorities and needs, such as workforce readiness, national competitiveness, and returning education to the States. These changes will enable ED to more effectively achieve the statutory intent of the programs authorized under Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and Section 102(b)(6) of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, respectively. The Department seeks comments on this recission of regulations.
Comments close Jul 31, 2026
The Secretary of Education proposes to rescind the Equity Assistance Center Program regulations. The Department proposes to rescind these regulations to provide the Department greater flexibility in carrying out the statutory authority for this program and to enable the Department to align technical assistance activities with current and evolving priorities and needs to best achieve the statutory intent of the program. The Department seeks comments on any reason to rescind or not rescind these regulations.
Comments close Jul 27, 2026
The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable 21 projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.362A to receive funding for up to one additional 12-month period, not to exceed September 30, 2027.
Comments close Jul 6, 2026
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposes to revise the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance to improve government- wide policies and requirements related to the management of grants, cooperative agreements, and other forms of assistance. OMB is proposing revisions that would improve transparency, accountability, and oversight for Federal awards across the Federal Government. This includes ensuring that American tax dollars are not wasted or misused, activities performed under Federal awards are consistent with law and policy, and recipients are held accountable when they fail to meet relevant standards. The revisions also aim to ensure that basic American principles of equality and equal opportunity are upheld throughout all stages of the award making process and that unlawful discrimination is no longer permitted. Proposed changes also include providing further clarification on the regulatory status of the OMB requirements and on the process for future updates to the government- wide requirements. Finally, OMB also proposes changes to reduce recipient burden. The listed Federal grant-making agencies propose conforming changes to their respective adopting regulations, or, in the case of some agencies and other entities, establishing new adopting regulations or policies. The proposed changes reflect the administration's commitment to transparency, accountability, and proper oversight for the Federal grantmaking process. The proposed regulations seek to ensure that American tax dollars are ultimately used to serve the needs of the American public.
Comments close Jul 13, 2026
The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable one project under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.351A to receive funding for one additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2027.
Comments close Jun 29, 2026
The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit the project period exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable 36 Native American Career and Technical Education (NACTEP) projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.101A, currently in their fifth year, to receive funding for an additional budget period, not beyond September 30, 2027.
Comments close Jun 8, 2026
The Secretary of Education (Secretary) proposes to amend the regulations governing institutional eligibility, general provisions regulations, and the William D. Ford Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs). The proposed regulations would implement statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The OBBB made numerous changes to the HEA, including changes to program eligibility requirements for the Direct Loan program and the introduction of an earnings accountability framework that is intended to limit Direct Loan eligibility to programs whose graduates meet certain earnings benchmarks. This document proposes regulations, based on consensus reached during negotiated rulemaking, to implement the provisions of the OBBB related to low-earning outcome programs and the Direct Loan program, and to harmonize those regulations with requirements for programs that are required to lead to gainful employment (GE programs).
Comments close May 20, 2026
The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable 39 projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.144F to receive funding for up to two additional 12-month periods, not to exceed September 30, 2028.
Comments close May 18, 2026
The Department of Education proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waivers and extensions would enable 43 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.250N and one American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) under ALN 84.250Z, currently in their fifth year, to receive funding for an additional period, not beyond September 30, 2027.
Comments close May 4, 2026
The Secretary of Education (Secretary) proposes to amend the regulations governing institutional eligibility, general provisions, and the Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant) Program under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs). The proposed regulations would implement statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The OBBB made numerous changes to the HEA, including changes to student eligibility requirements for the Pell Grant Program and the establishment of Workforce Pell Grants for students who enroll in a new type of eligible program called an "eligible workforce program," intended to be a high-quality, performance-based, short-term program that supports America's workforce needs.
Comments close Apr 8, 2026
The Department of Education (Department) proposes priorities, requirements, and definitions under the Comprehensive Centers (CC) Program, Assistance Listing Numbers 84.283B and 84.283D. We may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2026 and later years. The proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions are intended to redesign the CC program to better meet its statutory purpose to provide high-quality capacity-building services to State, regional, and local educational agencies and schools that improve educational opportunities and outcomes, close achievement gaps, and improve the quality of instruction for all students.
Comments close Apr 2, 2026
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) proposes to issue this interpretive rule to revise and clarify its prior interpretation of its position on the use of descriptive terms by Department-recognized accrediting agencies, specifically, the use of "regional" and "national." The Department proposes this interpretive rule to interpret Section 496 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and the general duty of accrediting agencies to not make false statements and misrepresentations. Institutions of higher education also are required to ensure that they do not misrepresent their accreditation status to students and the public.
Comments close Mar 19, 2026
The Secretary proposes to amend the regulations for the Federal student loan programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs) to implement the statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. These changes include establishing new loan limits for graduate students, professional students, and parents, and phasing out the Graduate PLUS Program. The Department notes that the term "professional student" as used in this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is intended solely to distinguish those programs that we propose would be eligible for higher loan limits, as required by the OBBB. The designation, or lack thereof, of a program as "professional" does not reflect a value judgment by the Department regarding whether a borrower graduating from the program is considered a "professional." This NPRM only interprets the phrase "professional student" as used in the context of the loan limits established by the OBBB. The OBBB also simplifies the current broken and confusing myriad of Federal student loan repayment plans by phasing out the existing Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plans, creating a new tiered standard repayment plan option, and implementing a new income-driven repayment plan known as the Repayment Assistant Plan. The OBBB also enables borrowers in default who have previously rehabilitated a defaulted loan a second chance to rehabilitate their loan(s) and resume repayment.
Comments close Mar 2, 2026
The Secretary proposes one additional priority and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use the entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence-Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as final priorities on September 9, 2025 (90 FR 43514), the Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Artificial Intelligence published as a proposed priority on July 21, 2025 (90 FR 34203), and the Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Promoting Patriotic Education published as a proposed priority on September 17, 2025 (90 FR 44788). In addition, this priority complements the additional Secretary's Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness published as a proposed priority elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
Comments close Oct 27, 2025
The Secretary proposes one additional priority and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use the entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence-Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as final priorities on September 9, 2025 (90 FR 43514), the Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Artificial Intelligence published as a proposed priority on July 21, 2025 (90 FR 34203), and the Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Promoting Patriotic Education published as a proposed priority on September 17, 2025 (90 FR 44788). In addition, this priority complements the additional Secretary's Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Meaningful Learning Opportunities published as a proposed priority elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
Comments close Oct 27, 2025
The Secretary proposes one additional priority and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use the entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment other Secretary's Supplemental Priorities, such as the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence-Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as final priorities on September 9, 2025, (90 FR 43514) and the additional Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Artificial Intelligence published as a proposed priority on July 21, 2025 (90 FR 34203).
Comments close Oct 17, 2025
The Secretary proposes to amend the regulations on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program under 34 CFR 685.219 to exclude employers that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose. The proposed regulations would prevent taxpayer-funded PSLF benefits from being improperly provided to individuals who are employed by organizations that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose. These proposed changes are intended to improve the administration of the PSLF program and provide protection for taxpayers.
Comments close Sep 17, 2025
We announce our intention to establish two negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare regulations for the Federal student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (Title IV, HEA programs). One committee will consider changes to the Federal student loan programs and the other committee will consider changes to institutional and programmatic accountability, the Pell Grant Program, and other changes to the Title IV, HEA programs. This rulemaking is necessary to implement recent statutory changes to the Title IV, HEA programs included in Pub. L. 119-21, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that President Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025, as well as to implement other Administration priorities. Prior to submitting draft regulations to the negotiated rulemaking process, the Department invites the public to provide advice and recommendations addressing the implementation of the changes to the Title IV, HEA programs included in Pub. L. 119-21 during a virtual public hearing that will be held on August 7, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. As part of the hearing record, the Department will also accept written comments providing advice and recommendations on the implementation of the changes to the Title IV, HEA programs included in Pub. L. 119-21 through August 25, 2025.
Comments close Aug 25, 2025
The Secretary proposes a priority and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs, or such programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use the entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or may use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence-Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as proposed priorities on May 21, 2025 (90 FR 21710).
Comments close Aug 20, 2025
The Department of Education (Department) proposes priorities, requirements, and definitions under the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program (MHSP), Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.184X. The Department may use these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. The proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions are designed to better target activities designed to address shortages of school-based mental health services providers, specifically school psychologists, in high-need local educational agencies (LEAs). These priorities, requirements, and definitions are intended to replace the Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, and Definitions published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2022 (87 FR 60083). However, those priorities, requirements, and definitions remain in effect for previous grant competitions in which the notices inviting applications (NIAs) were published before the Department finalizes the proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions in this notice.
Comments close Aug 18, 2025
The Department of Education (Department) proposes priorities, requirements, and definitions under the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant (SBMH) Program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.184H. The Department may use these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. The proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions are designed to better target activities designed to increase the number of credentialed school-based mental health services providers, specifically school psychologists, in high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) available to provide mental health services to students. These priorities, requirements, and definitions are intended to replace the Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, and Definitions published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2022 (87 FR 60092). However, those priorities, requirements, and definitions remain in effect for previous grant competitions in which the notices inviting applications (NIAs) were published before the Department finalizes the proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions in this notice.
Comments close Aug 18, 2025
The Secretary proposes three initial and urgent priorities and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use an entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. These priorities and definitions are intended to replace the Secretary's supplemental priorities published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70612) and all other agency-wide supplemental priorities published prior to January 20, 2025. However, those priorities remain in effect for notices inviting applications (NIAs) published before the U.S. Department of Education (Department) finalizes the proposed priorities in this document.
Comments close Jun 20, 2025
The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable one project under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.351A to receive funding for one additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2026.
Comments close Jun 20, 2025
We announce our intention to host public hearings and establish one or more negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare proposed regulations on various programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) (title IV, HEA programs). The Department invites public feedback, especially addressing topics which may include Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), or other topics that would streamline current federal student financial assistance programs.
Comments close May 5, 2025
The Department of Education (Department) proposes a priority for a National Technical Assistance Center to Improve State Capacity to Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate IDEA Part B and Part C Fiscal Data Center (Fiscal Data Center) under the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program. The Department may use this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. We take this action to focus attention on an identified national need to provide technical assistance (TA) to improve the capacity of States to meet the fiscal data collection requirements under Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This Fiscal Data Center will support States in collecting, reporting, and determining how to best analyze and use their IDEA Part B and Part C fiscal data to establish and meet high expectations for each child with a disability and will customize its TA to meet each State's specific needs.
Comments close Apr 7, 2025
The Department of Education (Department) proposes priorities and requirements under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training (RLTT) program with a focus on the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) and six rehabilitation topic areas. The Department may use these priorities and requirements for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. This action is intended to address the national needs for the RLTT program, particularly the retention of qualified vocational rehabilitation (VR) personnel in the field of State VR services and the training of RSA scholars who aspire to become VR professionals and will fill critical VR positions where there are shortages.
Comments close Feb 20, 2025
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services proposes a priority, requirements, and definitions under the Rehabilitation Training program. The Assistant Secretary may use the priority, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. We intend to use the priority, requirements, and definitions to fund a cooperative agreement to establish a national vocational rehabilitation technical assistance center (NVRTAC) to provide training and technical assistance to personnel of State VR agencies and their partners to upgrade and increase their competencies, skills, and knowledge in providing quality services and effective management of the VR program.
Comments close Feb 18, 2025
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) proposes to amend certain definitions and add a new definition in the Randolph- Sheppard Act (R-S Act) regulations to clarify statutory requirements and make other conforming changes necessary for Federal agencies, States, and non-governmental stakeholders to better implement the R-S Act, thereby allowing the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facilities Program (RSVFP) to evolve with technology and ever-changing customer demand.
Comments close Mar 11, 2025
The Secretary of Education amends the regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title VI") to eliminate disparate-impact liability. These amendments bring the U.S. Department of Education's (Department's) regulations in line with Title VI's original public meaning, avoid constitutional concerns, implement changes that are consistent with Executive Order 14281, "Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy," reflect the Department's independent policy determinations, reduce confusion and uncertainty, lower compliance costs for recipients of Federal financial assistance, and serve the public interest. After reviewing the relevant issues, weighing the various factors, and analyzing the pertinent considerations, the Department concludes that these reasons, separately and cumulatively, support eliminating disparate-impact liability from the Department's Title VI regulations.
The Secretary waives the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The waiver and extension enables 36 Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP) projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.101A to receive funding for an additional period, not beyond September 30, 2027.
The Secretary of Education rescinds the U.S. Department of Education's (Department) Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, and Handicap in Vocational Education Programs (Guidelines). The Guidelines, first published in the Federal Register in 1979 and added to the Title VI regulations of the Department's predecessor, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), apply to recipients of Federal financial assistance, including State education agencies, that offer or administer vocational education or training programs. Following the establishment of the Department and HEW's successor, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Guidelines were transferred to both agencies and have remained substantively unchanged since they were first issued in 1979. The Department has determined that the Guidelines are no longer necessary due to significant changes in governing jurisprudence on what constitutes actionable discrimination and in the vocational education landscape in the intervening half-century. The Department further finds the Guidelines to be burdensome (because they create proactive compliance requirements that do not apply to other programs that receive Federal financial assistance from the Department) and unnecessary (given the Department's existing regulations promulgated under various civil rights statutes). After considering the regulatory burden that the compliance monitoring and reporting structure outlined in section II.B. of the Guidelines imposes on State education agencies, local education agencies, and institutions of higher education, and the staffing resources that the Department expends on oversight of this compliance structure, the Department has concluded that the costs of this compliance structure no longer justify its benefits. Accordingly, the Department rescinds the Guidelines. This action does not affect the obligations of recipients of Federal financial assistance to comply with Federal civil rights laws because the regulations articulating those substantive obligations remain unchanged.
The Secretary waives the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The final waiver and extension would enable 39 projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.144F to receive funding for up to one additional 12-month period, not to exceed September 30, 2027.
The Secretary of Education (Secretary) amends the regulations governing institutional eligibility, general provisions, and the William D. Ford Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs) to implement statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTCA) signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. These changes include revisions to program eligibility requirements for the Direct Loan program and the introduction of an earnings accountability framework that limits Direct Loan eligibility to programs whose graduates meet certain earnings benchmarks. This action finalizes regulations to implement the provisions of the WFTCA related to low-earning outcome programs and the Direct Loan program, and to harmonize those regulations with requirements for programs that are required to lead to gainful employment (GE programs).
The Secretary waives the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The waivers and extensions enable 43 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.250N and one American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) under ALN 84.250Z to receive funding for an additional period, not beyond September 30, 2027.
The Secretary of Education (Secretary) amends the regulations governing institutional eligibility, general provisions, and the Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant) Program under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs). The final regulations implement statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTCA), signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. In the NPRM, we referenced the WFTCA as the "One Big Beautiful Bill"; however, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we will instead use WFTCA. The WFTCA made numerous changes to the HEA, including changes to student eligibility requirements for the Pell Grant Program and the establishment of Workforce Pell Grants for students who enroll in a new type of eligible program called an "eligible workforce program," intended to be a high-quality, performance-based, short-term program that supports America's workforce needs.
The Secretary amends the regulations for the Federal student loan programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs) to implement the statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in Public Law 119-21, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The Department previously referred to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," including in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on January 30, 2026. These changes include establishing new loan limits for graduate students, professional students, and parents, and phasing out the Graduate PLUS (Grad PLUS) Program. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act also simplifies the current broken and confusing myriad of Federal student loan repayment plans by phasing out the existing Income- Contingent Repayment (ICR) plans, creating a new Tiered Standard repayment plan option, and establishing a new income-driven repayment plan known as the Repayment Assistance Plan. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act also enables borrowers in default who have previously rehabilitated a defaulted loan a second chance to rehabilitate their loan(s) and resume repayment.
The Department of Education (Department) announces one priority and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use an entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence- Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as final priorities on September 9, 2025; the additional Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Meaningful Learning Opportunities, published as a final priority on February 12, 2026, and Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness, published as a final priority elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register; and the additional proposed Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Promoting Patriotic Education, published as a proposed priority on September 17, 2025.
The Department of Education (Department) announces a final priority and definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use the entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence-Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as final priorities on September 9, 2025; the additional Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Meaningful Learning Opportunities, published as a final priority on February 12, 2026, and Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education, published as a final priority elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register; and the additional proposed Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Promoting Patriotic Education published as a proposed priority on September 17, 2025.
The Department of Education (Department) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on October 31, 2025 (90 FR 19729). The final rule established regulations governing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) program under 34 CFR 685.219.
This interpretive rule sets forth the Department's interpretation of certain regulations at the Criteria for Recognition, and the Recognition Process, governing an accrediting agency's submission of a written application seeking initial recognition. In general, the provisions in this interpretive rule are designed to reduce unnecessary barriers to the recognition of accrediting agencies to promote competition in the market for assessing the quality of education or training offered by postsecondary institutions and programs.
We announce our intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations amending the regulations for the Secretary's recognition of accrediting agencies and related institutional eligibility regulations for the programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) (title IV, HEA programs). The committee will include representatives of organizations or groups with interests that are significantly affected by the subject matter of the proposed regulations. We request nominations for individual negotiators who represent key stakeholder constituencies for the issues to be negotiated to serve on the committee, and we set a schedule for committee meetings.
The Secretary is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend certain definitions in, and a new definition to, the Randolph-Sheppard Act (R-S Act) regulations. Specifically, the proposed regulations added a definition of "articles," modified the definitions of "vending facility" and "vending machine," amended the regulation pertaining to the location and operation of vending facilities, and added a provision pertaining to severability.
The Secretary establishes new regulations on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) program under 34 CFR 685.219 by adding or clarifying provisions to exclude employers that engage in specific enumerated illegal activities such that they have a substantial illegal purpose, including defining obligations and processes tied to making such a determination of an employer, clarifying that borrowers will receive full credit for work performed, until the effective date of the Secretary's determination that an employer is no longer a qualifying employer under the rule; and establishing methods for an employer to regain eligibility following a determination of ineligibility by the Secretary. These regulations ensure that taxpayer dollars are not misused by preventing PSLF benefits from going to individuals employed by organizations that have a substantial illegal purpose. The revisions strengthen accountability, enhance program integrity, and protect hardworking taxpayers from shouldering the cost of improper subsidies granted to employees of organizations that undermine national security and American values through criminal activity.
The Department of Education announced in the Federal Register on July 25, 2025, that it will host a meeting for the RISE Rulemaking Committee from September 29 to October 3, 2025. In this notice, the Department announces the addition of contingent virtual meeting dates of October 15-17, 2025, for the RISE Negotiated Rulemaking Committee in the event of an appropriation lapse that prevents the Committee from meeting in-person at the U.S. Department of Education on October 1-3, 2025. This rulemaking is necessary to implement recent statutory changes to the Title IV, Higher Education Act programs in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that President Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025, as well as to implement other Administration priorities.
The Department of Education (Department) announces three priorities and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use an entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. These priorities and definitions replace the Secretary's supplemental priorities published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70612) and all other agency-wide supplemental priorities published prior to January 20, 2025.
On July 25, 2025 the U.S. Department of Education published an intent to establish negotiated rulemaking committees in the Federal Register Page 35261, Column 1, 2, and 3; Page 35262, Column 1, 2, and 3; Page 35263, Column 1, 2, and 3; Page 35264, Column 1, 2, and 3 seeking public comment for the Public Hearing; Negotiated Rulemaking Committees; Department's intention to establish two negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare regulations for the Federal student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (Title IV, HEA programs). ED is requesting a correction to the Docket ID Number ED-2025-0151. Docket ID should read as ED-2025-OPE-0151. The Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Postsecondary Education, hereby issues a correction notice as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. Signing Authority: This document of the U.S. Department of Education was signed on July 25, 2025, by Christopher J. McCaghren, ED.D, Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Postsecondary Education. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by the U.S. Department of Education. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned has been authorized to sign the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the U.S. Department of Education. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register.
The Secretary waives the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The waiver and extension enable one project under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.351A to receive funding for an additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2026.
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is revising its prior interpretation and clarifying its classification of revenue received by a proprietary institution of higher education under the Title IV Revenue and Non-Federal Education Assistance Funds regulations called the "90/10 Rule".
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announces the final priority and requirements under the Innovative Rehabilitation Training program, Assistance Listing Number 84.263G. The Department may use the priority and requirements for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. We take this action to promote the development of innovative and improved methods of training on promising vocational rehabilitation (VR) counseling, engagement, and service delivery strategies and practices to State VR agency personnel or other public or non-profit rehabilitation professionals and paraprofessionals (including those enrolled in master's or bachelor's level rehabilitation programs) to provide quality VR and supported employment services that lead to quality employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
The Department of Education (Department) announces a priority for the IDEA Data Management Center (Center) under the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program. The Department may use this priority in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. This priority replaces the priority published in the Federal Register on August 5, 2014, and the priority published on July 10, 2020. We will use the priority to award a cooperative agreement for a Center to provide technical assistance (TA) to improve the capacity of States to meet the data collection and reporting requirements under Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The Department of Education (Department) announces the priority for the National Technical Assistance Center to Improve State Capacity to Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate IDEA Part B and Part C Fiscal Data Center (Fiscal Data Center) under the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program. The Department may use this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. This priority replaces the priority published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2014, and the priority published on June 16, 2020. We will use the priority to award a cooperative agreement for a Center to provide technical assistance (TA) to improve the capacity of States to meet the fiscal data collection requirements under Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This Fiscal Data Center will support States in collecting, reporting, and determining how to best analyze and use their IDEA Part B and Part C fiscal data to establish and meet high expectations for each child with a disability and will customize its TA to meet each State's specific needs.
The Department of Education (Department) announces priorities and requirements under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training (RLTT) program with a focus on the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) and six rehabilitation topic areas. The Department may use these priorities and requirements for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. This action is intended to address the national needs for the RLTT program, particularly the retention of vocational rehabilitation (VR) personnel at State VR agencies and recruitment of VR professionals where there are shortages through the training of RSA scholars.
The Department of Education (Department) announces a priority, requirements, and definitions under the Rehabilitation Training program, Assistance Listing Number 84.264L. The Department may use the priority, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. We will use the priority, requirements, and definitions to award a cooperative agreement for a national vocational rehabilitation technical assistance center (NVRTAC) to provide training and technical assistance to personnel of State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies and their partners to upgrade and increase their competencies, skills, and knowledge in providing quality services and effective management of the VR program.
We announce our intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations for the Federal Student Aid programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The committee will include representatives of organizations or groups with interests that are significantly affected by the subject matter of the proposed regulations. We request nominations for individual negotiators who represent key stakeholder constituencies for the issues to be negotiated to serve on the committee.
The Department of Education (Department) issues these final regulations to adjust the Department's civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for inflation. This adjustment is required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act), which amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (Inflation Adjustment Act). These final regulations provide the 2025 annual inflation adjustments being made to the penalty amounts in the Department's final regulations published in the Federal Register on January 25, 2024 (2024 final rule).
The Department of Education (Department) amends the regulations that govern the Professional Development (PD) program, authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), to establish priorities, requirements, and a definition for the program, including a priority for educator retention projects.
The Department of Education (Department) adopts as final, without changes, the interim final rule published in the Federal Register on November 15, 2024. This final rule amends the regulations governing income-contingent repayment plans available to Federal student loan borrowers to satisfy the Department's statutory obligation under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, (HEA) to offer borrowers access to an income-contingent repayment plan. The scope of this rule is narrow. It revises the last date for most borrowers to enroll in the Income-Contingent Repayment or Pay As You Earn plans from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2027. Changing the eligibility restrictions that went into effect on July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2027, allows the Department to meet its statutory obligations while it undertakes the necessary administrative changes to make its repayment plans compliant with the terms of an injunction pending appeal from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (Eighth Circuit).
The Secretary amends the Student Assistance General Provisions regulations governing participation in the student financial assistance programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to promote program integrity and institutional quality. These regulations clarify, update, and consolidate certain provisions that apply to distance education and the return of title IV, HEA funds. They also make technical changes to the TRIO program regulations to reflect the current status of the Republic of Palau as a member of the Freely Associated States. This document provides notice that the Department fully closes out the Program Integrity and Institutional Quality: Distance Education and Return of Title IV, HEA Funds notice of proposed rulemaking. That is, we will not be finalizing the remainder of the Federal TRIO program provisions but may promulgate through future rulemaking efforts.
