Department of Education

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Tentative 2026–27 Funding Levels available for Campus-Based Programs

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By Marlene Seeklander Although funding amounts have not yet been determined, the Department of Education has posted tentative funding levels for 2026-27. In a January 30 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education said tentative funding levels and worksheets for Federal Work-Study (FWS) and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) programs for the 2026-27 award year have […]

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Pell Grant award amounts remain flat for 2026-27 academic year

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By Catherine Mueller The maximum amount a student could receive in Federal Pell Grant funding for college will remain unchanged for the 2026-27 academic year – at least for now. On January 30, the Department of Education announced the Pell Grant maximum and minimum award amounts for the 2026–27 award year (July 1, 2026, through June

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Department publishes information to assist schools with reconciling financial aid programs

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By Marlene Seeklander Financial aid professionals looking for a little more guidance on reconciling federal financial aid programs have now received some from the Department of Education. On January 27, the Department released an Electronic Announcement that provides more specific information to assist schools in reconciling the Direct Loan, Pell Grant, and TEACH Grant programs. Reconciliation

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2025-26 FSA Handbook Volume 5 – Withdrawals and the Return of Title IV Funds – now available

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By Marlene Seeklander The latest volume of the 2025-26 Federal Student Aid Handbook has just been released by the Department of Education (ED). A January 29 Electronic Announcement from ED announced the availability of Volume 5 – Withdrawals and the Return of Title IV Funds. This volume includes information on how a school should manage Title IV funds when a student

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Deadline approaching for 2026-27 Underuse Penalty Waiver for the Campus-Based Programs

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By Marlene Seeklander Schools facing a reduction in their campus-based funding due to underuse have just a few days to request the penalty be waived. In a January 26 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education outlined that, when a school returns more than 10% of its Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) or Federal Work Study

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Notice of Intent to establish Negotiated Rulemaking Committee

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By Marlene Seeklander The Department of Education is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the upcoming Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. A January 27 Federal Register Notice outlined the intent to establish a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee that will prepare proposed regulations focusing on accrediting agencies and related institutional eligibility requirements under Title IV of the Higher Education

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FAFSA Specifications Guides

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By Marlene Seeklander Because the FAFSA Specifications Guides are such a useful tool, financial aid professionals will want to make note of several recent updates to both the 2025-26 and 2026-27 guides. The Department of Education recently announced updates to several important volumes of the guides, such as Volume 5 – Edits and Rejects and Volume 6

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Acceptable identity verification methods

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By Marlene Seeklander Identity theft is a problem worldwide creating high costs and damaging reputations for companies, organizations, and even higher education institutions.   Last summer, the Department of Education announced a nationwide effort to eliminate identity theft and fraud in the federal student aid programs by requiring that schools verify the identity of additional first-time applicants who complete FAFSA. This is done through V4 and V5 verification.   Schools have some flexibility in how they verify student

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Department issues updated signature requirements for the Program Participation Agreement

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By Marlene Seeklander In response to a legal challenge, the Department of Education revised the requirements for an authorized representative of an institution to sign the agreement to participate in federal financial aid programs. In a January 16 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education addressed the situations in which an owner-entity of an eligible higher education

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Department delays collections on student loans

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By Catherine Mueller Borrowers, who have defaulted on the federal student loans, received a temporary reprieve recently with a decision to delay collections activities. On January 16, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) announced that it will delay the implementation of involuntary collections on federal student loans, including Administrative Wage Garnishment (AWG) and the Treasury

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