Federal Friday
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Issues Final Rule to Create New Workforce Pell Grant Program
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces Additional Measures to Reduce Federal Burden on States
- WI Department of Justice: Wisconsin DOJ Sues U.S. Department of Education Over Student Loan Rule Limiting Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor Make Historic Grant Investments in Programs that Bolster Postsecondary Outcomes
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Reaches Consensus to Reform and Strengthen America’s Higher Education Accreditation System
Workforce Pell Final Rule
On May 19, the final rule for the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell: Pell Grant Exclusion Relating to Other Grant Aid and Workforce Pell Grants was published in the Federal Register.
If interested, you can read more from the Department of Education on the final rule here.
Professional Degree Program Update
On May 19, the Wisconsin Department of Justice “joined a coalition … in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that unlawfully limits full access to federal student loans for students pursuing professional degree programs, including many healthcare and other critical workforce fields.”
As further quoted in the Department’s press release, Attorney General Kaul said, “We should be supporting the development of the health-care workforce. But this rule would make it harder for some to be able to pay for certain degree programs, including those for nurse practitioners and physician assistants.”
Joining Wisconsin DOJ in filing the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) Negotiated Rulemaking Committee
On May 21, the Department of Education announced that the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) Negotiated Rulemaking Committee reached consensus on changes to the regulatory framework that guides the accreditation process.
At the time of the announcement, Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said, “President Trump tasked us with implementing some of the most critical higher education reforms in history – and we are proud to once again deliver resounding and lasting results for American students and taxpayers. The work of the AIM Committee continues to build on the broader transformation of our higher education system: lowering costs, simplifying repayment, connecting education to workforce needs, strengthening accountability, and restoring confidence in our accreditation system. We appreciate the negotiators for their hard work in helping make the President’s vision a reality.”
If interested in reading more, you can review the Department’s press release. Additional information will be shared as the NPRM is released.
Political Activity Guidance Reminder
As a reminder, as uncertainty continues around the federal landscape, Universities of Wisconsin employees should be mindful of political activity and public advocacy guidelines.
Activities such as sharing a petition or contacting a legislator for political purposes using your university email address or state resources to engage in political campaign activities at any time or engaging in political activities during work time are prohibited.
In your capacity as private citizens, on non-work time, and without use of university resources (including the use of university email addresses) employees may circulate or sign a petition or letter of support advocating for public policy or a political candidate. However, if using your name and official title, it should be made clear that an individual’s endorsement indicates neither support nor endorsement by the university of a particular policy position or candidate, and that you are acting solely in your role as a private citizen.
For more information, you can read the Guidance on Political Activities Frequently Asked Questions document. Importantly, these FAQs should be treated as general guidelines and not legal advice.
Please direct specific questions regarding political campaign issues to the Office of General Counsel or your university’s Office of Legal Affairs.