Major Updates

• Department of Education Announces Intent to Rewrite of State Authorization, Distance Education, Third-Party Servicers Among Others
  The Biden Administration announced in the first days of 2023 their intent to rework this year eight different areas of higher education regulations via negotiated rulemaking. The topics include many in which the UPCEA community has a vested interest. While the Department has announced their intent to move forward on these, no proposed language has yet been put forth. Here are four of the eight proposed topics the UPCEA community will be most interested in following:
  • Distance Education
  • Accreditation and Related Issues 
  • State Authorization
  • Third-Party Servicers and Related Agencies 

So, what now? The Department has stated that beginning in April it will move forward on all of the eight topics. The Department will soon give dates and times for at least two or more regional field hearings seeking public comment on the proposed regulatory topics they intend to review and rewrite. They will also provide a calendar for when the required three multi-day sessions in Washington, D.C. will be held. Through these sessions, the proposed regulations will be worked through by negotiators from different facets of the higher education community, who can be nominated by the public. UPCEA will notify our members throughout the process as it moves forward, and will let you know the key dates and periods in which you can weigh in on the changes and lend our community’s voice to these issues which are critical to the work we do. Read more.

• Volunteer with UPCEA Policy, Advocacy, and Compliance Efforts
  UPCEA is seeking interested volunteers for work on government affairs initiatives for 2023-2024. Are you involved with government affairs work with your institution via policy, advocacy, or compliance? If you’re interested in being more involved in volunteering, fill out the following form. We are seeking interested institutional members who have expertise and are looking to connect with others and advocate on behalf of professional, continuing and online education. UPCEA Government Affairs Volunteer Interest Form. Do you know of a government affairs or compliance staff member who may not know about UPCEA but should? Forward them this link.
  

• Invite Your Students to the DC Student Summit
  Being held this coming March 12-14, the three-day DC Student Summit in our nation’s capital will equip students with the skills necessary to elevate their stories and lived experiences directly to federal policymakers. Led by the Today’s Students Coalition (of which UPCEA is a steering committee member), LeadMN, and Young Invincibles, students will have the opportunity to participate in conversations about college accessibility, the cost of higher education, the importance of racial equity, and efforts undertaken to ensure that students’ basic needs are being met. Read more and share with students.
  

Other News

• Public Comment on Data Collection, Due February 17 (US Department of Education)
  The U.S. Department of Education is seeking comments that may include information, research, and suggestions regarding the Department’s implementation of the new authority provided to the Department in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, to reserve funding from certain programs authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), for the purpose of carrying out rigorous and independent evaluations and conducting data collection and analysis of such programs.
• More Money for Pell Grants, Research (Inside Higher Ed)
  Federal budget boosts maximum Pell Grant and funding for student success grant programs. Colleges and universities also are set to receive more than $1.5 billion for projects in earmarks.

• White House Under Pressure to Develop a ‘Plan B’ on Student Debt (Bloomberg)

• SARA Policy Modification Proposals Open Until February 3 (NC-SARA)