Federal Friday 

• Secretary McMahon: McMahon: The shutdown proved just how little the Department of Education will be missed
• USCIS: DHS Strengthens Integrity in Nation’s Immigration System, Returns to Commonsense Legal Immigration Levels
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces Six New Agency Partnerships to Break Up Federal Bureaucracy
• Department of Education: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and University Leaders Participate in Higher Education Roundtable at the White House

Department of Education Update

Earlier this week, the Department of Education announced “six new agency partnerships to break up federal bureaucracy.”

Through the announced postsecondary education partnership, as described within the linked release and additional fact sheet, the Department of Labor is expected to take on additional responsibilities related to the following programs that had previously resided within the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE):

• TRIO
  • Upward Bound
  • Upward Bound Math and Science
  • Veterans Upward Bound
  • Talent Search
  • McNair Scholars Program
  • Student Support Services Program
  • Educational Opportunity Centers
  • Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs
• Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)
• Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN)
• Augustus F. Hawkins Center of Excellence
• Title III Part A Strengthening Institutions Program
• Title III Part B Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program
• Master’s Degree Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program
• Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions (HBGI)
• Howard University
• Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
• Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID)
• Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Coordinating Center (TPSID-CC)
• Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)
• Higher Education Congressionally Funded Community Projects Program

In addition to the changes above, the Department of Health and Human Services will take on an expanded role as it relates to the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program, and the Department of State will establish a partnership program – the International Education and Foreign Language Studies Partnership – which will expand oversight of the Fulbright-Hays Grant. While more details may be released in the coming days and weeks, please know that – at this time – the Office of Federal Student Aid and the Office for Civil Rights have not moved.

Federal Friday 

• Cornell University: An agreement to restore Cornell’s federal research funding
  • Full Agreement
• House Judiciary Committee: Report: Illegal Racial Discrimination in Faculty Hiring at George Mason University Under the Direction of President Gregory Washington
• House Select Committee on the CCP: Moolenaar to Columbia University: Cut Ties with CCP-backed Exchange Programs
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Releases Seven Priorities Under the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Celebrates Senate Confirmations for Additional Education Leadership

Government Funding Updates

On November 10, the Senate agreed to H.R.5371, the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act of 2026 by a vote of 60-40. The legislation was agreed to in the House on November 12, by a vote of 222-209 and signed into law by President Trump that evening. This legislation has the effect of opening the government. It also funds the Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs programs through the duration of FY26, and funds the remaining federal agencies and appropriations bills through January 30, 2026.

Given the duration of the shutdown, there may continue to be delays and impacts as agencies resume normal operations. Please continue to elevate any impacts to your university liaison.

As Congress begins work to fund several federal agencies – including the Department of Education – beyond January 30, 2026, the Universities of Wisconsin will remain engaged with our Congressional delegation, national associations, and others on matters of importance to our universities. Further updates will be shared as appropriate.

Federal Friday 

• Office of Management and Budget: M-25-36 Streamlining the Review of Deregulatory Actions (October 21, 2025)

Negotiated Rulemaking Update

On November 6, 2025, the Department of Education announced the conclusion of the agency’s negotiated rulemaking session. The Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee reached consensus on changes to federal student loans stemming from H.R.1 –  the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

At the time of the announcement, Under Secretary of Education Nicolas Kent said, “We appreciate the committee’s efforts to assist the Department in implementing President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will simplify our complex student loan repayment system and better align higher education with workforce needs. The consensus language agreed upon by the negotiators today will help drive a sea change in higher education by holding universities accountable for outcomes and putting significant downward pressure on the cost of tuition. This will benefit borrowers who will no longer be pushed into insurmountable debt to finance degrees that do not pay off.” 

In the coming days, the Department will draft a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which will be available in the Federal Register for review and comment. As included in the press release, for “more information on the negotiated rulemaking process, see here.”

Government Funding Updates

At present, conversations surrounding government funding remain stalled.

The Senate was in DC and voting this week; the House of Representatives remained in a recess period wherein members could be called back to DC for votes if events warranted.

As Congress continues to work toward a funding solution, updates will be shared as appropriate.

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
  • OMB Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations
• 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.

Federal Friday 

• U.S. Customs and Immigration Services: Presidential Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers
  • U.S. Customs and Immigration Services: H-1B Specialty Occupations
• U.S. Department of Justice: The Justice Department Announces Agreement with University of Virginia
  • University of Virginia: Interim President Paul Mahoney’s message to the University community on UVA’s agreement with the Justice Department

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
  • OMB Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations
• 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

Federal Friday

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
  • OMB Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations
• 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

IPEDS Information Collection Request

Earlier this August, the US Department of Education submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR) in the Federal Register, which stemmed from the earlier Presidential Memorandum regarding higher education admissions. The comment period on the ICR closed this week. You can review the notice and  the comments in the Federal Register. The agency will need to review the comments.

Working together with our national associations and through the multi-state group, the following letters have been submitted. These reflect much of the commentary we received from our UW universities.

• ACE:  Multi-Sector Letter
• APLU: Comment Letter
• Multi-State Comment Letter

Federal Friday

• Department of Energy: Energy Department Announces Termination of 223 Projects, Saving Over $7.5 Billion

Government Funding Update

At present, conversations surrounding government funding remain stalled. This week, the Senate again voted on the House-passed CR, which to date has not gathered sufficient votes for passage. Over the course of the week, the House of Representatives remained in a recess period wherein members could be called back to DC for votes if events warranted.

Importantly, 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, however, the resources below will remain of interest:

• OMB Status of Operations Memo
  • OMB Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations
• 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

As Congress continues to work toward a funding solution, updates will be shared as appropriate.

NEW! 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 information regarding this proclamation. For UW employees who may have questions on the impact of the proclamation, please review this resource.

Federal Friday

• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Awards Over $153 Million in American History and Civics Seminars Grants
• House Committee on Education & Workforce: Walberg, Stefanik Press Harvard about Cultivating Antisemitic Environment
• Department of Health and Human Services: HHS’ Office for Civil Rights Refers Harvard University for Suspension and Debarment Proceedings
• Department of Justice: Georgia Tech Research Corporation Agrees to Pay $875,000 to Resolve Civil Cyber-Fraud Litigation
• Federal Student Aid: Government Lapse in Appropriations – Federal Student Aid Processing and Customer Service Guidance

Lapse in Appropriations

Without agreement on legislation to fund the government past the end of the federal fiscal year, the federal government “shutdown” just after midnight on October 1, 2025. This lapse in appropriations has the impact of shutting down all federal government operations that are deemed “non-essential,” as defined by the contingency memos authored by each federal agency. Unfortunately, it is not certain when Congress will advance funding legislation that has the effect of resuming normal government operations. However, we continue to monitor the situation, and updates will be shared as appropriate.

If interested in reading more, the following resources may be of interest:

• OMB Status of Operations Memo
  • OMB Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations
• 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
• Federal Student Aid: Government Lapse in Appropriations – Federal Student Aid Processing and Customer Service Guidance

If there are questions or concerns, please reach out to the university’s designated campus liaison.

Federal Friday

• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Places Harvard University on Heightened Cash Monitoring for Financial Responsibility Concerns
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Issues Denial of Access Letter to Harvard University for Its Continued Failure to Provide Admissions Data
• Select Committee on the CCP: From Ph.D. to PLA: How Visa Policies Enable PRC Defense Entities to Tap U.S. Higher Education
• White House: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers
  • White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Suspends the Entry of Certain Alien Nonimmigrant Workers
  • USCIS: USCIS Releases New H-1B Guidance
  • White House Press Secretary: Comments on the Proclamation on X
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces Earliest FAFSA Form Launch in Program History
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Releases Secretary McMahon’s Meaningful Learning and Workforce Readiness Supplemental Priorities

Government Funding Update

To date, the House and Senate have not found agreement on legislation to fund the government past the end of the federal fiscal year, September 30^th.

In the event of a shutdown, OMB historically has posted agency contingency memos. These contingency memos detail agency operations during the course of a shutdown including what staff and operations would be deemed essential. The White House has noted on the OMB website that “In accordance with  Circular A-11, agency contingency plans for a lapse in appropriations are hosted solely on each agency’s website.”

As Congress continues to debate legislation in the coming days or contingency memos are posted, updates will continue to be shared with campus contacts.

Presidential Proclamation related to the H-1B Visa Program

On September 19, 2025, the White House announced new rules governing the H-1B visa program, effective Sept. 21, 2025.

For more, you may be interested in the following links:

• White House: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers
  • White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Suspends the Entry of Certain Alien Nonimmigrant Workers
  • USCIS: USCIS Releases New H-1B Guidance
  • White House Press Secretary: Comments on the Proclamation on X

The Universities of Wisconsin continue to review the guidance and clarifications that have been issued. Further information will continue to be shared with relevant stakeholders as appropriate. If there are questions or concerns, please reach out to your university liaison.