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 Karen McCarthy Megan Walter Jill Desjean Maria Carrasco
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


 

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Resources

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Publication Date: 2/28/2025

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