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The third and final session of the Institutional and Programmatic Eligibility negotiated rulemaking committee began Monday, as committee members were reminded that their goal this week is to reach consensus on seven different topics, with the Department of Education (ED) presenting final drafted papers containing regulatory language for each. Unlike previous sessions, there will be no temperature checks on subtopics or sections throughout the week’s dialogue. Federal negotiators reminded committee members that only a single consensus check will be taken on each issue paper in an attempt to reach agreement.

NASFAA has released updated, estimated 2022-23 Pell Grant payment and disbursement schedules, as the fiscal year 2022 spending bill, which included a $400 increase to the maximum 2022-23 Pell Grant award, is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after passing both chambers of Congress. These disbursement schedules are estimates only and are meant to be used for internal purposes only. NASFAA advises schools to wait for official Pell schedules from the Department of Education before sending aid packages to students. 

NASFAA submitted comments to the Department of Education (ED) on Monday, March 14 on its proposed changes to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Quarterly Budget and Expenditures Report (QBER). NASFAA questioned ED's choice to add several annual report student share questions to the QBER, which has to date included only institutional share expenditures. NASFAA also pointed out the limited usefulness of adding to the QBER at this late stage in the HEERF program and noted that the proposed changes would tip the burden for all HEERF reporting to over 60 hours per year. Finally, NASFAA noted several inaccurate and unclear points in the form's instructions.

For months Republican lawmakers have been clamoring for the White House and Department of Education (ED) to resume monthly student loan payments that have been paused for more than two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, House Republicans have introduced legislation that would block ED’s legal authority to issue another extension of the payment pause. 

NASFAA's Board of Directors is here to represent you and is seeking your input. Please email any questions or comments you might have directly to a member of the NASFAA Board by selecting their name on our Board Member Directory page. Questions or feedback may pertain to NASFAA products and services, membership benefits, policy/advocacy issues, or any other topic you would like to bring before the Board. The Board will compile and discuss at the March 22-23 virtual Board meeting. We welcome your insight.

In its commitment to the graduate and professional community, NASFAA is providing a town hall webinar as a forum for graduate and professional financial aid administrators tomorrow, March 16, 2022. Tune in as we discuss current issues of concern for their students and peers, and address audience questions. Register now.

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