National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

A key with the "handle" being a brain. Text reads, Podcast The Key with Inside Higher Ed. Ep 190: What to Do About the Pell Grant Running Out of Money with Kristin Hultquist. On the right, a headshot of the host of The Key Podcast Sara Custer,a white woman with short blonde hair in a colorful top, and the headshot of Found and CEO of HCM Strategies Kristin Hultquist, a woman with medium length blonde hair in a suit.

🆕🎧 In this episode of The Key Podcast, host Sara Custer is joined by Kristin Hultquist, the founder and CEO of HCM strategies to explore what a long-term funding strategy for a modern Pell Grant program could look like..

Listen now ➡️ https://bit.ly/4srNn1c

A photo illustration of several pictures of U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon arranged around a central photo of President Donald Trump and McMahon posing with an executive order.

McMahon Touts First Year in Office; Dems and Students Push Back

The Education Department says that in just one year McMahon has secured reforms in higher ed that conservatives have championed for decades. Critics say her work is creating barriers to college access. https://bit.ly/4lbpHf5

#EDUSky

A federal court doubled down on its decision to dismiss the state of Missouri’s lawsuit and proposed settlement with the Department of Education over terminating the SAVE plan when the judge denied Missouri’s subsequent request to temporarily halt this dismissal: https://ow.ly/SeWr50Yq8YS

Portrait of Nicholas Kent, Under Secretary of Education, with U.S. flag and Department of Education seal in background at 2026 Federal Student Aid Training Conference.

FSA Training Conference Commits to Another ‘Early December’ In Person Conference and Provides Updates on Workforce Pell, OBBBA, and More

Read our recap of the second day at the FSA Conference: https://ow.ly/Klpp50Yq9tN

A collage of politicians. Clockwise from top left: Environmental portraits of Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)

Lawmakers and Universities Push Back on Loan Caps

Politicians from both sides of the aisle sharply criticized the Education Department’s narrow interpretation of the legislation, which limits the number of students with access to large federal loans. https://bit.ly/47nXHzb

#EDUSky #AcademicSky

Three panelists seated on stage during a discussion event with an American flag and a state flag behind them.

McMahon Recounts First Year Priorities, FAFSA Launch, Focus on ROI, OBBBA Implementation, and More During FSA’s In-Person Conference

The FSA training conference kicked off its first session on Wednesday, marking its first in-person convening since 2019: https://ow.ly/CEzo50YpChg

Cover of a white paper on graduate student lending reform with a graduation cap and dollar bills in the background.

The Consumer Bankers Association's recent white paper discusses the implications the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has on graduate student lending and the ability of private lenders to meet new demand, along with recommendations to ensure that graduate education is accessible: https://ow.ly/mkCJ50Yp9lE

Visual of a formal letter from the American Council on Education emerging from an orange envelope against a blue background.

NASFAA and dozens of #HigherEd orgs led by the American Council on Education are urging U.S. Department of Education to expand the list of professional degree programs, improve the neg reg process, and abide by the master calendar in the Higher Education Act.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/A1zy50Yp6cO

Idaho State University campus at sunrise.

The Latest in Program and Personnel Cuts

February brought a small wave of job cuts heavily concentrated at a few institutions that shed dozens of positions, while others enacted more incremental layoffs. https://bit.ly/4sjYLw7

#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd

Two white men in suits sitting in black chairs on a stage. In black text the kicker Government, the headline Higher Ed Must Change, but There’s Little Agreement on How, and the subhead The top higher ed official, Nicholas Kent, flaunted the speed and breadth of the administration’s higher ed reforms in a room full of skeptical sector leaders. Photo source: American Council on Education

The quote, “The president’s not going to be talking about Harvard nearly as much as he did last year, but the Department of Education is going to be... putting the things in place that will impact 4,000 institutions rather than 50. And we saw that across all of the under secretary’s proposals that he laid out.” from Jon Fansmith, senior vice president for government relations at ACE

ICYMI | WASHINGTON, D.C.—Education under secretary Nicholas Kent opened day two of the @aceducation.bsky.social’s annual meeting with a clear and pointed statement—American higher education needs a “hard reset.”

Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4r62Nr6

#EDUSky #HigherEd #AcademicSky

Orange envelope containing a letter from NASFAA addressing student loan regulation comments to the U.S. Department of Education.

NASFAA submitted comments to U.S. Department of Education on proposed regulations tied to student loan changes in the OBBBA. NASFAA points out where regulations should be more student-friendly, highlights the need for prompt, clear guidance and systems updates, and more: https://ow.ly/fFaO50Yoiog

Person in green shirt looking puzzled at a laptop with floating question marks, illustrating confusion over court dismissal of ED's SAVE settlement.

A federal court judge on Friday dismissed the Department of Education’s lawsuit and proposed settlement with the state of Missouri over terminating the SAVE plan, leaving more questions and confusion for borrowers after years of legal challenges. Learn more: https://ow.ly/JyJf50Yo7h1

Environmental portraits of Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and President Donald Trump are split above an image of the North Carolina Central University campus.

Congress Gave MSIs Funding, but Uncertainty Looms

Congress appropriated hundreds of millions of dollars for minority-serving institutions, but after the Trump administration axed the grants last year, colleges and universities are making backup plans. https://bit.ly/3MrmLOQ

#EDUSky #AcademicSky

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie is joined by Karen to discuss the Congressional Budget Office's new projections of a funding shortfall in the Pell Grant program.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or on our website: https://ow.ly/PKxZ50Yn510

Students Report Positive College Experiences Despite Declining Public Confidence, Gallup-Lumina Study Finds New research reveals a sharp disconnect between public skepticism toward higher education and what students and graduates actually experience on campus and beyond.

New research reveals a sharp disconnect between public skepticism toward higher education and what students and graduates actually experience on campus and beyond.

Group of diverse participants smiling and holding signs celebrating a 5K finish and motivational messages at an outdoor event.

We are excited to introduce First Generation College Bound as our local charity partner for the NASFAA 2026 National Conference! #NASFAA2026 attendees can support FGCB by running or walking the Charity 5K, or choose between Trivia Night and Topgolf. Learn more & register: https://ow.ly/w9eP50YmwC9

Congress Gave MSIs Funding, but Uncertainty Looms Congress appropriated hundreds of millions of dollars for minority-serving institutions, but after the Trump administration axed the grants last year, colleges and universities are making backup plans...

Minority-serving institutions are caught in limbo. Congress appropriated funding for them for fiscal year 2026, but the Trump administration has repeatedly signaled it's against giving out the money.

Urgent notice from FSA requiring action by March 1 to prevent SAIG service interruptions.

FSA issued a reminder with actions institutions may need to take by March 1, to avoid SAIG disruptions. Institutions connected to the test environment should complete these actions ASAP since FSA plans to update that first. FSA plans to implement these updates by March 8: https://ow.ly/1O6o50Ymrjl

Promotional graphic for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Web Center with resources like summary charts and communication toolkits.

As the One Big Beautiful Bill Act contains significant provisions that reshape student financial aid, NASFAA created a web center to keep our members informed about the latest analysis, guidance, and regulatory developments as they occur. Explore our resources at nasfaa.org/ob3.

Oscar Deleon Jr., a student and Rapid Rehousing beneficiary, sits outside the Meriam Library at Chico State in Chico on Feb. 5, 2026. Photo by Salvador Ochoa for CalMatters

The program operates at most public universities and about a quarter of community colleges, helping thousands of students who are either homeless or housing insecure, such as one student who was sleeping in a garage. bit.ly/4aAso6y

📸 Salvador Ochoa

Department of Education announces partnerships with Department of State for foreign gift reporting and Health and Human Services for school safety programs.

The Department of Education on Monday announced two additional interagency agreements, one of which would have the Department of State supporting ED’s foreign gift reporting responsibilities. Learn more: https://ow.ly/Nzmy50YlhnT

Education Department puts pressure on colleges ahead of upcoming student loan changes The Trump administration is turning up the pressure on schools to rein in student loan default rates ahead of changes the federal government is implementing this summer that advocates worry could h…

Education Department puts pressure on colleges ahead of upcoming student loan changes

NASFAA letter visible in an orange envelope, detailing feedback on student loan provisions under OBBBA.

NASFAA is pleased to share a draft of our response to the Department of Education’s request for comments on its proposed regulations to implement the student loan changes. We hope our members will use these comments to inform their own, which are due March 2: https://ow.ly/Eb1f50YkigH

A photo of two clocks on top of three $100 bills, next to a note that reads "Loan Repayment."

Opinion | Back on Track: Why Student Loan Visual Trackers Should Be Restored Immediately

Borrowers are navigating a shifting, uncertain landscape: The least we can do is make it easy for them to see how much they owe. https://bit.ly/4aVEoPW

#EDUSky #HigherEd #AcademicSky

A sign outside a government building that reads "United States Department of Labor"

Labor Dept. Dedicates $65M to Community Colleges Preparing for Workforce Pell https://bit.ly/4aVlCrT

DOL Announces New Community College Grant Aimed at Creating Workforce Programs and Systems

Details for how community colleges can apply are available online, with an application deadline of May 20: https://ow.ly/c6fW50YiZs7

Trump's plan to 'deprioritize' student-loan oversight has lawmakers worried about how your servicer is performing After the major student-loan companies declined to release their own performance data, Sen. Elizabeth Warren requested information from the Ed. Dept.

After the major student-loan companies declined to release their own performance data, Sen. Elizabeth Warren requested information from the Ed. Dept.

David then tells a "dramatic" story, a scenario that he created, to illustrate the rules for updating a student's marital status after their FAFSA is filed.

🎧 Listen to the new episode of "Off the Cuff" to hear the full story of Segolene and Leopold: https://ow.ly/sA3o50YiVIw

ED Releases Updated Data on Nonpayment Rates by Institution, Warns of High Cohort Default Rates

The U.S. Department of Education released updated data on institutions’ nonpayment rates, finding that over 1,800 institutions have nonpayment rates at or exceeding 25%: https://ow.ly/HstE50Yiesb

New student loan limits could threaten diversity in nursing and public health programs The proposal marks a severe escalation in what health experts say is the erosion of the U.S. health care system under the Trump administration.

The proposal, which is expected to undermine treatment for vulnerable people, marks a severe escalation in what experts say is the erosion of the country’s health care system under Trump.