Federal Friday
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces Final Rule on Public Service Loan Forgiveness to Protect American Taxpayers
Government Funding Updates
At present, efforts to reopen the government remain stalled and without a clear off-ramp. This week, the House of Representatives remained in recess, but members could be called back to DC for votes if events warranted. In the Senate, the House-passed CR continued to fail through successive votes.
Ultimately, the impacts of the shutdown increase the longer the lapse in funding continues. While the Department of Education has reaffirmed that at this time “there is minimal impact on students, borrowers, schools, lenders, and guaranty agencies and their ability to participate in the Title IV programs,” as the shutdown continues, the resources below will remain of interest:
- OMB Status of Operations Memo
- Department of Education Contingency Plan for Lapse in FY2026 Appropriations
- COGR: Considerations for a Federal Government Shutdown
- ACE: Government Shutdown Could Set Off Uncertainty for Research, Oversight, Some Student Benefits and Services
Litigation Update
Twenty-one states, including Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia have filed an amicus brief in support of the Council for Opportunity in Education suit against the U.S. Department of Education regarding TRIO grant cancellations. If interested in reading more, you can review the following Inside Higher Education article.
H-1B Presidential Proclamation
On September 19, 2025, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” regarding H-1B workers. International Faculty and Staff Services (IFSS) at UW-Madison provide H-1B related support to all the campuses other than UW-Milwaukee, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Whitewater. IFSS has posted updated information regarding this proclamation. For UW employees who may have questions on the impact of the proclamation, please review this resource.