Department of Education’s Final Regulation Weakens Minimum Earnings Standard for Postsecondary Education Programs

The Dept. of Education held the second and final Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) committee neg reg session to discuss regulations to implement earnings accountability metrics for postsecondary programs.

Last week, ED held the first AHEAD committee negotiated rulemaking (“neg reg”) session, convening stakeholders to negotiate the implementation of regulatory changes from H.R.1. Most notably, the committee discussed the extension of Workforce Pell Grants to short-term job training programs. Our new blog breaks down seven primary areas of discussion during the neg reg.

This blog outlines four potential major issues should states extend Pell eligibility to noncredit programs and offers guidance to help states improve their ability to assess the quality of Workforce Pell programs, bolster student protections, and prevent bad actors and subpar programs from accessing this significant expansion of federal aid.

The Department of Education reconvened the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee for negotiated rulemaking (“neg reg”) to implement the federal student loan borrowing and repayment provisions included in the budget reconciliation law. Our experts tuned in to capture key takeaways as ED determines how to implement the “One Big Beautiful Bill."

As part of HR 1, Congress expanded Pell Grant access to short-term programs for the first time. Without careful implementation, this move may leave students and Pell dollars vulnerable to untested, low-quality, overly expensive, or fraudulent programs. In response, TICAS created model legislation to provide a blueprint for states to protect students and taxpayers.

The Department of Education convened the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee to begin negotiated rulemaking (“neg reg”) for implementing the federal student loan borrowing and repayment provisions included in the budget reconciliation law. Our experts tuned in to capture key takeaways as ED determines how to implement the “One Big Beautiful Bill."