Negotiated Rulemaking Kicks Off | Policy Matters (June 2021)
Major Updates
- Negotiated Rulemaking Kicks Off
“Commenters at the public hearing addressed topics related to federal student aid, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness, widespread debt cancellation and the responsibility of for-profit institutions. The Department of Education began its negotiated rule-making process Monday (June 21) by holding the first of three days of public hearings, with commenters discussing topics for federal student aid regulations the department is planning to consider.
The department solicited comments on 14 topics for possible regulation, including borrower defense to repayment; Public Service Loan Forgiveness; gainful employment; and discharges for closed institutions, borrowers with a total and permanent disability and false certification of student eligibility. Commenters were not limited to discussing only those topics and could comment on any regulatory issue that may improve outcomes for students. The department is also accepting written comments until July 1.” – Alexis Gravely, Inside Higher Ed
UPCEA also has submitted public comments to the Department on a few topics of importance to our community. Read our comments here. - Senate drops short-term Pell proposal from Innovation and Competition Act
“The Senate on Tuesday (June 8) passed the $250 billion U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which means to improve the U.S.’s research competitiveness and curb Chinese influence.
But lawmakers removed a provision that would have greenlit federal Pell Grants to be used on programs as short as eight weeks. It still contains a raft of National Science Foundation funding for research at colleges and universities, including about $5.2 billion in scholarship money that would be provided to institutions and students directly, and $4.4 billion for research in key technology focus areas.” – Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, Higher Ed Dive
Other News
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UPCEA Policy Committee
Kristen Brown, University of Louisville, Chair
Bridget Beville, University of Phoenix
Corina Caraccioli, Loyola University New Orleans
Abram Hedtke, St. Cloud State University
George Irvine, University of Delaware
Rob Kerr, University of Illinois, Springfield
Craig Wilson, University of Arizona
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