OTC Inside The Beltway: Unpacking ED's DEI Dear Colleague Letter, SAVE Plan Updates, and Batch Corrections Functionality
This week on "Off The Cuff," Beth and Karen are joined by Megan and Jill to discuss multiple updates from the Department of Education (ED). Karen kicks off the episode by debriefing listeners on ED's Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) that directed institutions to cease using race preferences as a factor in admissions, financial aid, hiring, training, and other institutional programming, or be at risk of losing federal funding. Megan then discusses the latest updates with income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, including ED taking down the online application for the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) program and other income-based plans. From there, Jill unpacks the availability of batch correction functionality for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 FAFSA, and what financial aid professionals can expect. Lastly, the team discusses Linda McMahon’s pending confirmation as ED secretary, and the pending executive order from President Donald Trump that could seek to dismantle ED.
Speakers
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Beth Maglione Interim President & CEO, NASFAA |
Karen McCarthy Vice President, NASFAA |
Megan Walter Senior Policy Analyst |
Jill Desjean Director of Policy Analysis |
Maria Carrasco Reporter |
This episode is brought to you by Blue Icon Advisors' New Director Group Coaching
Are you a new financial aid director with less than one year of experience at the director level? If so, Blue Icon Advisors, NASFAA Consulting invites you to participate in a professional development opportunity designed especially for you, New Director Group Coaching!
During this six-week virtual training program, dive deep into topics such as: remaining in compliance, developing an operational calendar, identifying and supporting staff professional development needs, and how to draft a strategic plan.
Register at nasfaa.org/newdirector by March 7 to participate in this cost- and time-effective professional development opportunity with active weekly discussions.
Resources
- Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
- Episode Transcript (PDF)
- Navigating Uncertainty with Confidence—Together
- ED’s DEI Dear Colleague Letter
- ED Gives Institutions Two Weeks to Comply with New Nondiscrimination Obligations or Risk Losing Federal Funding
- NASFAA Joins Call on ED to Rescind DCL on Ending Racial Preferences, Requests Collaborative Process With Higher Education Community
- ED Disables IDR and Loan Consolidation Applications, Citing Court Injunction
- 2024-25 and 2025-26 FAFSA Update: Availability of Batch Corrections Processing, Resolution of ISIR Processing Error
- Webinar: FAFSA Batch Corrections: What To Expect
- Trump’s Pick to Lead ED Advances Through Committee
Send your thoughts, questions, and comments. We'd love to hear what you think.
Publication Date: 2/28/2025
