Department of Education

The Secretary of Education (Secretary) amends the regulations governing institutional eligibility, general provisions, and the William D. Ford Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs) to implement statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTCA) signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. These changes include revisions to program eligibility requirements for the Direct Loan program and the introduction of an earnings accountability framework that limits Direct Loan eligibility to programs whose graduates meet certain earnings benchmarks. This action finalizes regulations to implement the provisions of the WFTCA related to low-earning outcome programs and the Direct Loan program, and to harmonize those regulations with requirements for programs that are required to lead to gainful employment (GE programs).

The Secretary waives the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The waivers and extensions enable 43 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.250N and one American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) under ALN 84.250Z to receive funding for an additional period, not beyond September 30, 2027.

The Secretary of Education (Secretary) amends the regulations governing institutional eligibility, general provisions, and the Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant) Program under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs). The final regulations implement statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTCA), signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. In the NPRM, we referenced the WFTCA as the "One Big Beautiful Bill"; however, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we will instead use WFTCA. The WFTCA made numerous changes to the HEA, including changes to student eligibility requirements for the Pell Grant Program and the establishment of Workforce Pell Grants for students who enroll in a new type of eligible program called an "eligible workforce program," intended to be a high-quality, performance-based, short-term program that supports America's workforce needs.

The Secretary amends the regulations for the Federal student loan programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs) to implement the statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in Public Law 119-21, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The Department previously referred to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," including in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on January 30, 2026. These changes include establishing new loan limits for graduate students, professional students, and parents, and phasing out the Graduate PLUS (Grad PLUS) Program. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act also simplifies the current broken and confusing myriad of Federal student loan repayment plans by phasing out the existing Income- Contingent Repayment (ICR) plans, creating a new Tiered Standard repayment plan option, and establishing a new income-driven repayment plan known as the Repayment Assistance Plan. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act also enables borrowers in default who have previously rehabilitated a defaulted loan a second chance to rehabilitate their loan(s) and resume repayment.

The Department of Education (Department) announces one priority and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use an entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence- Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as final priorities on September 9, 2025; the additional Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Meaningful Learning Opportunities, published as a final priority on February 12, 2026, and Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness, published as a final priority elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register; and the additional proposed Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Promoting Patriotic Education, published as a proposed priority on September 17, 2025.

The Department of Education (Department) announces a final priority and definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use the entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence-Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as final priorities on September 9, 2025; the additional Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Meaningful Learning Opportunities, published as a final priority on February 12, 2026, and Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education, published as a final priority elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register; and the additional proposed Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Promoting Patriotic Education published as a proposed priority on September 17, 2025.

The Department of Education (Department) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on October 31, 2025 (90 FR 19729). The final rule established regulations governing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) program under 34 CFR 685.219.

This interpretive rule sets forth the Department's interpretation of certain regulations at the Criteria for Recognition, and the Recognition Process, governing an accrediting agency's submission of a written application seeking initial recognition. In general, the provisions in this interpretive rule are designed to reduce unnecessary barriers to the recognition of accrediting agencies to promote competition in the market for assessing the quality of education or training offered by postsecondary institutions and programs.

The Secretary establishes new regulations on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) program under 34 CFR 685.219 by adding or clarifying provisions to exclude employers that engage in specific enumerated illegal activities such that they have a substantial illegal purpose, including defining obligations and processes tied to making such a determination of an employer, clarifying that borrowers will receive full credit for work performed, until the effective date of the Secretary's determination that an employer is no longer a qualifying employer under the rule; and establishing methods for an employer to regain eligibility following a determination of ineligibility by the Secretary. These regulations ensure that taxpayer dollars are not misused by preventing PSLF benefits from going to individuals employed by organizations that have a substantial illegal purpose. The revisions strengthen accountability, enhance program integrity, and protect hardworking taxpayers from shouldering the cost of improper subsidies granted to employees of organizations that undermine national security and American values through criminal activity.

The Department of Education (Department) announces three priorities and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use an entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. These priorities and definitions replace the Secretary's supplemental priorities published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70612) and all other agency-wide supplemental priorities published prior to January 20, 2025.

The Secretary waives the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The waiver and extension enable one project under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.351A to receive funding for an additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2026.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is revising its prior interpretation and clarifying its classification of revenue received by a proprietary institution of higher education under the Title IV Revenue and Non-Federal Education Assistance Funds regulations called the "90/10 Rule".

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announces the final priority and requirements under the Innovative Rehabilitation Training program, Assistance Listing Number 84.263G. The Department may use the priority and requirements for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. We take this action to promote the development of innovative and improved methods of training on promising vocational rehabilitation (VR) counseling, engagement, and service delivery strategies and practices to State VR agency personnel or other public or non-profit rehabilitation professionals and paraprofessionals (including those enrolled in master's or bachelor's level rehabilitation programs) to provide quality VR and supported employment services that lead to quality employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

The Department of Education (Department) announces a priority for the IDEA Data Management Center (Center) under the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program. The Department may use this priority in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. This priority replaces the priority published in the Federal Register on August 5, 2014, and the priority published on July 10, 2020. We will use the priority to award a cooperative agreement for a Center to provide technical assistance (TA) to improve the capacity of States to meet the data collection and reporting requirements under Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Department of Education (Department) announces the priority for the National Technical Assistance Center to Improve State Capacity to Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate IDEA Part B and Part C Fiscal Data Center (Fiscal Data Center) under the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program. The Department may use this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. This priority replaces the priority published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2014, and the priority published on June 16, 2020. We will use the priority to award a cooperative agreement for a Center to provide technical assistance (TA) to improve the capacity of States to meet the fiscal data collection requirements under Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This Fiscal Data Center will support States in collecting, reporting, and determining how to best analyze and use their IDEA Part B and Part C fiscal data to establish and meet high expectations for each child with a disability and will customize its TA to meet each State's specific needs.

The Department of Education (Department) announces priorities and requirements under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training (RLTT) program with a focus on the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) and six rehabilitation topic areas. The Department may use these priorities and requirements for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. This action is intended to address the national needs for the RLTT program, particularly the retention of vocational rehabilitation (VR) personnel at State VR agencies and recruitment of VR professionals where there are shortages through the training of RSA scholars.

The Department of Education (Department) announces a priority, requirements, and definitions under the Rehabilitation Training program, Assistance Listing Number 84.264L. The Department may use the priority, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. We will use the priority, requirements, and definitions to award a cooperative agreement for a national vocational rehabilitation technical assistance center (NVRTAC) to provide training and technical assistance to personnel of State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies and their partners to upgrade and increase their competencies, skills, and knowledge in providing quality services and effective management of the VR program.

The Department of Education (Department) issues these final regulations to adjust the Department's civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for inflation. This adjustment is required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act), which amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (Inflation Adjustment Act). These final regulations provide the 2025 annual inflation adjustments being made to the penalty amounts in the Department's final regulations published in the Federal Register on January 25, 2024 (2024 final rule).

The Department of Education (Department) amends the regulations that govern the Professional Development (PD) program, authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), to establish priorities, requirements, and a definition for the program, including a priority for educator retention projects.

The Department of Education (Department) adopts as final, without changes, the interim final rule published in the Federal Register on November 15, 2024. This final rule amends the regulations governing income-contingent repayment plans available to Federal student loan borrowers to satisfy the Department's statutory obligation under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, (HEA) to offer borrowers access to an income-contingent repayment plan. The scope of this rule is narrow. It revises the last date for most borrowers to enroll in the Income-Contingent Repayment or Pay As You Earn plans from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2027. Changing the eligibility restrictions that went into effect on July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2027, allows the Department to meet its statutory obligations while it undertakes the necessary administrative changes to make its repayment plans compliant with the terms of an injunction pending appeal from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (Eighth Circuit).

The Secretary amends the Student Assistance General Provisions regulations governing participation in the student financial assistance programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to promote program integrity and institutional quality. These regulations clarify, update, and consolidate certain provisions that apply to distance education and the return of title IV, HEA funds. They also make technical changes to the TRIO program regulations to reflect the current status of the Republic of Palau as a member of the Freely Associated States. This document provides notice that the Department fully closes out the Program Integrity and Institutional Quality: Distance Education and Return of Title IV, HEA Funds notice of proposed rulemaking. That is, we will not be finalizing the remainder of the Federal TRIO program provisions but may promulgate through future rulemaking efforts.

On July 10, 2023, the Department of Education (Department) published in the Federal Register final regulations amending regulations related to income-driven repayment. This document corrects a technical error in the regulations. This document does not contain any substantive changes to the regulations.

The Department of Education (Department) issues this interim final rule (IFR) to amend the regulations governing income contingent repayment (ICR) plans available to Federal student loan borrowers to make certain that the Department meets its statutory obligation under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, (HEA) to offer borrowers access to an income contingent repayment plan. The scope of this rule is narrow. It just revises the end date for most borrowers to enroll in ICR or Pay as You Earn plans from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2027. This time-limited change to eligibility restrictions that went into effect on July 1, 2024, will allow the Department to meet its statutory obligations while it undertakes the necessary administrative changes to make its repayment plans that would otherwise be available for borrowers compliant with the terms of an injunction from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (Eighth Circuit).

On August 29, 2024, the Department of Education (Department) published in the Federal Register final regulations amending the Education Department General Administrative Regulations and related regulatory provisions. This document corrects technical errors in the amendatory instructions and regulatory text. This document does not contain any substantive changes to the regulations.

The Department of Education (Department) waives the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The final waiver and extension is intended to enable one project under Assistance Listing Number 84.407C to receive funding for an additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2025.

The Secretary of Education amends the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) and associated regulatory provisions to update, improve, and better align them with U.S. Department of Education (Department) implementing statutes and other regulations and procedures.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) amends the regulations that govern the National Resource Centers (NRC) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.015A, and the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.015B. These regulations clarify interpretations of statutory language, redesign the selection criteria, and make necessary updates based upon program management experience. These regulations remove ambiguity and redundancy in the selection criteria and definitions of key terms, improve the application process, and align the administration of these programs with developments in modern foreign language and area studies education.

The Department of Education (Department) issues priorities, requirements, definitions, and a selection criterion for use in the Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) program. The Department may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criterion for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. We intend for these priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criterion to support projects that equitably improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, upward transfer, and completions of value, by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based activities to support data- driven decisions and actions that lead to credentials that support economic success and further education.

The Department of Education (Department) issues a priority and definition for use in the Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education Program. The Department may use the priority and definition for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. This priority and definition will support projects for organizations that work directly with gang-involved youth to help such youth pursue higher education opportunities that will lead to postsecondary certification or credentials.

The Department of Education (Department) announces priorities and requirements for the National Technical Assistance Center To Improve State Capacity To Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate Early Childhood IDEA Data (Center) under the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program. The Department may use these priorities and these requirements in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. We will use the priorities to award a cooperative agreement for a Center to provide technical assistance (TA) to improve the capacity of States to meet the early childhood data collection and reporting requirements under Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Department of Education (Department) issues priorities, requirements, and definitions for use in the Research and Development Infrastructure (RDI) grant program. The Department may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. We intend for these priorities, requirements, and definitions to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) implement transformational investments in research infrastructure, including research productivity, faculty expertise, graduate programs, physical infrastructure, human capital development, and partnerships leading to increases in external funding.

The Department of Education (Department) announces a priority and requirements for a National Technical Assistance Center to Improve State Capacity to Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate IDEA Part B Data (Data Center) under the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program. The Department may use this priority and one or more of these requirements for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. We take this action to focus attention on an identified national need to provide technical assistance (TA) to improve the capacity of States to meet the data collection requirements under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This Center will support States in collecting, reporting, and determining how to best analyze and use their data and will customize its TA to meet each State's specific needs.

The Department of Education (Department) announces final priorities and requirements under the State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) program. The Department may use one or more of these priorities and requirements for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. We take this action to focus attention on assisting States in reforming and improving their systems for personnel preparation and personnel development in order to improve results for children with disabilities.

On July 10, 2023, the Department of Education (Department) published in the Federal Register final regulations amending regulations related to income-driven repayment. This document corrects technical errors in the regulations and preamble. This document does not contain any substantive changes to the regulations.

The Secretary waives the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. Under the waiver and extension, for projects funded in fiscal year (FY) 2019 under the Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions Program (TCPCTIP), Assistance Listing Number 84.245A, the project period is extended through FY 2027, if Congress continues to appropriate funds under the existing program authority.

The Department of Education (Department) announces priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria under the Comprehensive Centers Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.283B. The Department may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and in later years. The Department establishes these priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria to help ensure that Comprehensive Centers provide high-quality capacity- building services to State, regional, Tribal and local educational agencies and schools that improve educational opportunities and outcomes, close achievement gaps, and improve the quality of instruction for all students.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) amends the regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). The purpose of these amendments is to better align the Title IX regulatory requirements with Title IX's nondiscrimination mandate. These amendments clarify the scope and application of Title IX and the obligations of recipients of Federal financial assistance from the Department, including elementary schools, secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, and other recipients (referred to below as "recipients" or "schools") to provide an educational environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, including through responding to incidents of sex discrimination. These final regulations will enable all recipients to meet their obligations to comply with Title IX while providing them with appropriate discretion and flexibility to account for variations in school size, student populations, and administrative structures.

The Department of Education (Department) issues priorities, requirements, and definition for use in the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence (Hawkins) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.428A. The Department may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, and definition for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. We intend for these priorities, requirements, and definition to help increase the number of, and retain, well-prepared teachers from diverse backgrounds, resulting in a more diverse teacher workforce prepared to teach in our Nation's underserved elementary and secondary schools and close student opportunity and achievement gaps.

The Department of Education (Department) establishes these final priorities, requirements, and definitions for use in the National Professional Development (NPD) program, Assistance Listing Number 84.365Z. The Department may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. We intend for these priorities, requirements, and definitions to increase the number of bilingual and multilingual teachers supporting English learners (ELs).

On June 14, 2010, the Department of Education (Department) published in the Federal Register a final rule amending the Department's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations, and a correction was published in the Federal Register on January 26, 2024. The 2010 final rule implemented amendments made to the FOIA statute and clarified how the Department processes FOIA requests for agency records, and the January 26, 2024, document corrected the administrative exhaustion provisions related to the Appeals of Adverse Determinations section in the FOIA regulations. We are correcting the title of that revised provision, which inadvertently was omitted in the January 26, 2024 correction. All other provisions in the FOIA regulations remain the same.

On June 14, 2010, the Department of Education (Department) published in the Federal Register a final rule amending the Department's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations. The 2010 final rule implemented amendments made to the FOIA statute and clarified how the Department processes FOIA requests for agency records. We are correcting the administrative exhaustion provisions related to the Appeals of Adverse Determinations section in the FOIA regulations. All other provisions in the FOIA regulations remain the same.

The Department of Education (Department) issues these final regulations to adjust the Department's civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for inflation. This adjustment is required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act), which amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (Inflation Adjustment Act). These final regulations provide the 2024 annual inflation adjustments being made to the penalty amounts in the Department's final regulations published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2023 (2023 final rule).

The Secretary is issuing updates of longstanding waivers and modifications of statutory and regulatory requirements governing the Federal student financial aid programs under the authority of the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 (HEROES Act). The HEROES Act requires the Secretary to publish a document in the Federal Register providing notice of the waivers or modifications of statutory or regulatory requirements applicable to the student financial assistance programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to assist individuals who are performing qualifying military service, and individuals who are affected by a disaster, war or other military operation, or national emergency, as described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) designates a regulatory provision in its final rule related to income-driven repayment for early implementation.

The Secretary waives the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The waiver and extension enables 51 projects under Assistance Listing Numbers (ALN) 84.129B, 84.129H, 84.129P, and 84.129Q to receive funding for an additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2025.

The Secretary waives the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The waiver and extension enable seven projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.263C to receive funding for an additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department or we) issues final regulations governing the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship Program and the Faculty Research Abroad (FRA) Fellowship Program. This rule revises language proficiency qualifications for DDRA and FRA applicants and clarifies the Secretary's discretionary use of eligibility criteria.

The Secretary amends the regulations implementing title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), related to financial responsibility, administrative capability, certification procedures, and ATB. We amend the financial responsibility regulations to increase the Department of Education's (Department) ability to identify high-risk events at institutions of higher education and require financial protection as needed. We amend and add administrative capability provisions to enhance the capacity for institutions to demonstrate their ability to continue to participate in the financial assistance programs authorized under title IV of the HEA (title IV, HEA programs). Additionally, we amend the certification procedures to create a more rigorous process for certifying institutional eligibility to participate in the title IV, HEA programs. Finally, we amend the ATB regulations related to student eligibility for non-high school graduates.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) designates a regulatory provision in its final rule related to income-driven repayment for early implementation.

The Secretary establishes and amends regulations related to gainful employment (GE) to address ongoing concerns about educational programs designed to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation, but that instead leave them with unaffordable amounts of student loan debt in relation to their earnings, or with no gain in earnings compared to others with no more than a high school education. The Secretary separately seeks to enhance transparency by providing information about financial costs and benefits to students at nearly all academic programs at postsecondary institutions that are eligible to participate in title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).

The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable 51 projects under Assistance Listing Numbers (ALN) 84.129B, 84.129H, 84.129P, and 84.129Q to receive funding for an additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2025.

The Secretary of Education proposes to rescind the International Education Programs regulations and the Fulbright-Hays Program Regulations to provide the Department of Education (ED) with greater flexibility in carrying out its statutory authority to implement these programs and to enable the Department to align such programs with current and evolving priorities and needs, such as workforce readiness, national competitiveness, and returning education to the States. These changes will enable ED to more effectively achieve the statutory intent of the programs authorized under Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and Section 102(b)(6) of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, respectively. The Department seeks comments on this recission of regulations.

The Secretary of Education proposes to rescind the Equity Assistance Center Program regulations. The Department proposes to rescind these regulations to provide the Department greater flexibility in carrying out the statutory authority for this program and to enable the Department to align technical assistance activities with current and evolving priorities and needs to best achieve the statutory intent of the program. The Department seeks comments on any reason to rescind or not rescind these regulations.

The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable 21 projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.362A to receive funding for up to one additional 12-month period, not to exceed September 30, 2027.

The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable one project under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.351A to receive funding for one additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2027.

The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit the project period exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable 36 Native American Career and Technical Education (NACTEP) projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.101A, currently in their fifth year, to receive funding for an additional budget period, not beyond September 30, 2027.

The Secretary of Education (Secretary) proposes to amend the regulations governing institutional eligibility, general provisions regulations, and the William D. Ford Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs). The proposed regulations would implement statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The OBBB made numerous changes to the HEA, including changes to program eligibility requirements for the Direct Loan program and the introduction of an earnings accountability framework that is intended to limit Direct Loan eligibility to programs whose graduates meet certain earnings benchmarks. This document proposes regulations, based on consensus reached during negotiated rulemaking, to implement the provisions of the OBBB related to low-earning outcome programs and the Direct Loan program, and to harmonize those regulations with requirements for programs that are required to lead to gainful employment (GE programs).

The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable 39 projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.144F to receive funding for up to two additional 12-month periods, not to exceed September 30, 2028.

The Department of Education proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waivers and extensions would enable 43 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.250N and one American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) under ALN 84.250Z, currently in their fifth year, to receive funding for an additional period, not beyond September 30, 2027.

The Secretary of Education (Secretary) proposes to amend the regulations governing institutional eligibility, general provisions, and the Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant) Program under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs). The proposed regulations would implement statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The OBBB made numerous changes to the HEA, including changes to student eligibility requirements for the Pell Grant Program and the establishment of Workforce Pell Grants for students who enroll in a new type of eligible program called an "eligible workforce program," intended to be a high-quality, performance-based, short-term program that supports America's workforce needs.

The Department of Education (Department) proposes priorities, requirements, and definitions under the Comprehensive Centers (CC) Program, Assistance Listing Numbers 84.283B and 84.283D. We may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2026 and later years. The proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions are intended to redesign the CC program to better meet its statutory purpose to provide high-quality capacity-building services to State, regional, and local educational agencies and schools that improve educational opportunities and outcomes, close achievement gaps, and improve the quality of instruction for all students.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) proposes to issue this interpretive rule to revise and clarify its prior interpretation of its position on the use of descriptive terms by Department-recognized accrediting agencies, specifically, the use of "regional" and "national." The Department proposes this interpretive rule to interpret Section 496 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and the general duty of accrediting agencies to not make false statements and misrepresentations. Institutions of higher education also are required to ensure that they do not misrepresent their accreditation status to students and the public.

The Secretary proposes to amend the regulations for the Federal student loan programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (the title IV, HEA programs) to implement the statutory changes to the title IV, HEA programs included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. These changes include establishing new loan limits for graduate students, professional students, and parents, and phasing out the Graduate PLUS Program. The Department notes that the term "professional student" as used in this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is intended solely to distinguish those programs that we propose would be eligible for higher loan limits, as required by the OBBB. The designation, or lack thereof, of a program as "professional" does not reflect a value judgment by the Department regarding whether a borrower graduating from the program is considered a "professional." This NPRM only interprets the phrase "professional student" as used in the context of the loan limits established by the OBBB. The OBBB also simplifies the current broken and confusing myriad of Federal student loan repayment plans by phasing out the existing Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plans, creating a new tiered standard repayment plan option, and implementing a new income-driven repayment plan known as the Repayment Assistant Plan. The OBBB also enables borrowers in default who have previously rehabilitated a defaulted loan a second chance to rehabilitate their loan(s) and resume repayment.

We announce our intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations amending the regulations for the Secretary's recognition of accrediting agencies and related institutional eligibility regulations for the programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) (title IV, HEA programs). The committee will include representatives of organizations or groups with interests that are significantly affected by the subject matter of the proposed regulations. We request nominations for individual negotiators who represent key stakeholder constituencies for the issues to be negotiated to serve on the committee, and we set a schedule for committee meetings.

The Secretary is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend certain definitions in, and a new definition to, the Randolph-Sheppard Act (R-S Act) regulations. Specifically, the proposed regulations added a definition of "articles," modified the definitions of "vending facility" and "vending machine," amended the regulation pertaining to the location and operation of vending facilities, and added a provision pertaining to severability.

The Department of Education announced in the Federal Register on July 25, 2025, that it will host a meeting for the RISE Rulemaking Committee from September 29 to October 3, 2025. In this notice, the Department announces the addition of contingent virtual meeting dates of October 15-17, 2025, for the RISE Negotiated Rulemaking Committee in the event of an appropriation lapse that prevents the Committee from meeting in-person at the U.S. Department of Education on October 1-3, 2025. This rulemaking is necessary to implement recent statutory changes to the Title IV, Higher Education Act programs in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that President Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025, as well as to implement other Administration priorities.

The Secretary proposes one additional priority and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use the entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence-Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as final priorities on September 9, 2025 (90 FR 43514), the Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Artificial Intelligence published as a proposed priority on July 21, 2025 (90 FR 34203), and the Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Promoting Patriotic Education published as a proposed priority on September 17, 2025 (90 FR 44788). In addition, this priority complements the additional Secretary's Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness published as a proposed priority elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

The Secretary proposes one additional priority and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use the entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence-Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as final priorities on September 9, 2025 (90 FR 43514), the Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Artificial Intelligence published as a proposed priority on July 21, 2025 (90 FR 34203), and the Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Promoting Patriotic Education published as a proposed priority on September 17, 2025 (90 FR 44788). In addition, this priority complements the additional Secretary's Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Meaningful Learning Opportunities published as a proposed priority elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

The Secretary proposes one additional priority and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use the entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment other Secretary's Supplemental Priorities, such as the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence-Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as final priorities on September 9, 2025, (90 FR 43514) and the additional Secretary's Supplemental Priority on Artificial Intelligence published as a proposed priority on July 21, 2025 (90 FR 34203).

The Secretary proposes to amend the regulations on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program under 34 CFR 685.219 to exclude employers that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose. The proposed regulations would prevent taxpayer-funded PSLF benefits from being improperly provided to individuals who are employed by organizations that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose. These proposed changes are intended to improve the administration of the PSLF program and provide protection for taxpayers.

On July 25, 2025 the U.S. Department of Education published an intent to establish negotiated rulemaking committees in the Federal Register Page 35261, Column 1, 2, and 3; Page 35262, Column 1, 2, and 3; Page 35263, Column 1, 2, and 3; Page 35264, Column 1, 2, and 3 seeking public comment for the Public Hearing; Negotiated Rulemaking Committees; Department's intention to establish two negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare regulations for the Federal student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (Title IV, HEA programs). ED is requesting a correction to the Docket ID Number ED-2025-0151. Docket ID should read as ED-2025-OPE-0151. The Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Postsecondary Education, hereby issues a correction notice as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. Signing Authority: This document of the U.S. Department of Education was signed on July 25, 2025, by Christopher J. McCaghren, ED.D, Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Postsecondary Education. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by the U.S. Department of Education. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned has been authorized to sign the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the U.S. Department of Education. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register.

We announce our intention to establish two negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare regulations for the Federal student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (Title IV, HEA programs). One committee will consider changes to the Federal student loan programs and the other committee will consider changes to institutional and programmatic accountability, the Pell Grant Program, and other changes to the Title IV, HEA programs. This rulemaking is necessary to implement recent statutory changes to the Title IV, HEA programs included in Pub. L. 119-21, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that President Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025, as well as to implement other Administration priorities. Prior to submitting draft regulations to the negotiated rulemaking process, the Department invites the public to provide advice and recommendations addressing the implementation of the changes to the Title IV, HEA programs included in Pub. L. 119-21 during a virtual public hearing that will be held on August 7, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. As part of the hearing record, the Department will also accept written comments providing advice and recommendations on the implementation of the changes to the Title IV, HEA programs included in Pub. L. 119-21 through August 25, 2025.

The Secretary proposes a priority and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs, or such programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use the entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or may use one or more of the priority's component parts. This priority and definitions augment the initial set of three Secretary's Supplemental Priorities on Evidence-Based Literacy, Educational Choice, and Returning Education to the States published as proposed priorities on May 21, 2025 (90 FR 21710).

The Department of Education (Department) proposes priorities, requirements, and definitions under the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program (MHSP), Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.184X. The Department may use these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. The proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions are designed to better target activities designed to address shortages of school-based mental health services providers, specifically school psychologists, in high-need local educational agencies (LEAs). These priorities, requirements, and definitions are intended to replace the Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, and Definitions published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2022 (87 FR 60083). However, those priorities, requirements, and definitions remain in effect for previous grant competitions in which the notices inviting applications (NIAs) were published before the Department finalizes the proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions in this notice.

The Department of Education (Department) proposes priorities, requirements, and definitions under the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant (SBMH) Program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.184H. The Department may use these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. The proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions are designed to better target activities designed to increase the number of credentialed school-based mental health services providers, specifically school psychologists, in high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) available to provide mental health services to students. These priorities, requirements, and definitions are intended to replace the Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, and Definitions published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2022 (87 FR 60092). However, those priorities, requirements, and definitions remain in effect for previous grant competitions in which the notices inviting applications (NIAs) were published before the Department finalizes the proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions in this notice.

The Secretary proposes three initial and urgent priorities and related definitions for use in currently authorized discretionary grant programs or programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary may choose to use an entire priority for a grant program or a particular competition or use one or more of the priority's component parts. These priorities and definitions are intended to replace the Secretary's supplemental priorities published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70612) and all other agency-wide supplemental priorities published prior to January 20, 2025. However, those priorities remain in effect for notices inviting applications (NIAs) published before the U.S. Department of Education (Department) finalizes the proposed priorities in this document.

The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable one project under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.351A to receive funding for one additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2026.

We announce our intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations for the Federal Student Aid programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The committee will include representatives of organizations or groups with interests that are significantly affected by the subject matter of the proposed regulations. We request nominations for individual negotiators who represent key stakeholder constituencies for the issues to be negotiated to serve on the committee.

We announce our intention to host public hearings and establish one or more negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare proposed regulations on various programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) (title IV, HEA programs). The Department invites public feedback, especially addressing topics which may include Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), or other topics that would streamline current federal student financial assistance programs.

The Department of Education (Department) proposes a priority for a National Technical Assistance Center to Improve State Capacity to Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate IDEA Part B and Part C Fiscal Data Center (Fiscal Data Center) under the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program. The Department may use this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. We take this action to focus attention on an identified national need to provide technical assistance (TA) to improve the capacity of States to meet the fiscal data collection requirements under Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This Fiscal Data Center will support States in collecting, reporting, and determining how to best analyze and use their IDEA Part B and Part C fiscal data to establish and meet high expectations for each child with a disability and will customize its TA to meet each State's specific needs.

The Department of Education (Department) proposes priorities and requirements under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training (RLTT) program with a focus on the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) and six rehabilitation topic areas. The Department may use these priorities and requirements for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. This action is intended to address the national needs for the RLTT program, particularly the retention of qualified vocational rehabilitation (VR) personnel in the field of State VR services and the training of RSA scholars who aspire to become VR professionals and will fill critical VR positions where there are shortages.

The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services proposes a priority, requirements, and definitions under the Rehabilitation Training program. The Assistant Secretary may use the priority, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. We intend to use the priority, requirements, and definitions to fund a cooperative agreement to establish a national vocational rehabilitation technical assistance center (NVRTAC) to provide training and technical assistance to personnel of State VR agencies and their partners to upgrade and increase their competencies, skills, and knowledge in providing quality services and effective management of the VR program.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) proposes to amend certain definitions and add a new definition in the Randolph- Sheppard Act (R-S Act) regulations to clarify statutory requirements and make other conforming changes necessary for Federal agencies, States, and non-governmental stakeholders to better implement the R-S Act, thereby allowing the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facilities Program (RSVFP) to evolve with technology and ever-changing customer demand.

The Secretary is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking, which proposed to amend regulations under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Part B of IDEA or the Act) that govern the Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities program, including the Preschool Grants program. Specifically, the Secretary proposed to amend the IDEA Part B regulations to remove the requirement for public agencies to obtain parental consent prior to accessing for the first time a child's or parent's public benefits or insurance to provide or pay for required IDEA Part B services.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind regulations related to religious student organizations at certain public institutions of higher education (IHEs). The proposed regulations would have applied to public IHEs that receive a direct grant from the Department or a subgrant from a State-administered formula grant program of the Department.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is withdrawing the notice of proposed rulemaking entitled "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance: Sex-Related Eligibility Criteria for Male and Female Athletic Teams" published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2023. The proposed rule would have amended the regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX).

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announces the termination of the negotiated rulemaking process for three Program Integrity and Institutional Quality issues that were undertaken as part of a larger negotiated rulemaking process for Federal programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA): State Authorization, Cash Management, Accreditation and Related Issues (Accreditation).

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that, under the Secretary's authority to waive repayment of a loan provided by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), proposed to do the following: amend regulations regarding waiver of certain student loan debts; provide targeted debt relief as part of efforts to address the burden of student loan debt; and modify the Department's existing debt collection regulations to provide greater specificity regarding certain non- exhaustive situations in which the Secretary may exercise discretion to waive all or part of any debts owed to the Department.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that, under the Secretary's authority to waive repayment of a loan provided by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), proposed to specify the Secretary's authority to waive all or part of any student loan debts owed to the Department based on the Secretary's determination that a borrower has experienced or is experiencing hardship related to such a loan.

The Department of Education (Department) proposes a priority and requirements under the Innovative Rehabilitation Training program, Assistance Listing Number 84.263G. The Department may use the proposed priority and requirements for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. We take this action to promote the development of innovative and improved methods of training on promising vocational rehabilitation (VR) counseling, engagement, and service delivery strategies and practices to State VR agency personnel or other public or non-profit rehabilitation professionals and paraprofessionals (including those enrolled in master's or bachelor's level rehabilitation programs) to provide quality VR and supported employment services that lead to quality employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

The Department of Education (Department) proposes a priority for an IDEA Data Management Center, under the Technical Assistance on State Data Collection program. The Department may use this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. We take this action to focus attention on an identified national need to provide technical assistance (TA) to improve the capacity of States to meet the data collection requirements under Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA Data Management Center (Data Management Center) will assist States in collecting, reporting, and determining how to best analyze and use their Part B and Part C data to establish and meet high expectations for each child with a disability by enhancing, streamlining, and integrating IDEA Part B data into their State longitudinal data systems (SLDS), and IDEA Part C data and IDEA Part B preschool special education data into their early childhood integrated data system (ECIDS). A brief summary of the proposed rule is available at www.regulations.gov/docket/ED-2024-OSERS- 0114.

The Secretary proposes to amend the regulations related to the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to provide for the waiver of certain student loan debts. The proposed regulations would specify the Secretary's authority to waive all or part of any student loan debts owed to the Department based on the Secretary's determination that a borrower has experienced or is experiencing hardship related to such a loan.

The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension would enable one project under ALN number 84.407C to receive funding for an additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2025.

The Secretary proposes to revise the regulations that govern the Professional Development program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) number 84.299B, authorized under title VI of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), to establish priorities, requirements, and a definition for the program, including a priority for teacher retention projects.

The Secretary is proposing to amend the Student Assistance General Provisions regulations governing participation in the student financial assistance programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to promote program integrity and institutional quality. These regulations would clarify, update, and consolidate certain provisions that apply to distance education; the return of title IV, HEA funds; and the Federal TRIO programs. A brief summary of the proposed rule is available at www.regulations.gov/ docket/ED-2024-OPE-0050.

The Department of Education (Department) proposes priorities, requirements, and definitions for use in the Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) program, Assistance Listing Number 84.116M. The Department may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. We intend for these priorities, requirements, and definitions to support projects that equitably improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, upward transfer, and completions of value, by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based activities to support data-driven decisions and actions that lead to credentials that support economic success and further education.

The Department of Education (Department) proposes a priority and definition for use in the Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.116Y. The Department may use the priority and definition for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. We intend for this priority and definition to support projects for organizations that work directly with gang-involved youth to help such youth pursue higher education opportunities that will lead to postsecondary certification or credentials.

The Department of Education (Department) proposes priorities, requirements, and definitions for use in the Research and Development Infrastructure (RDI) grant program. The Department may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. We intend for these priorities, requirements, and definitions to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) implement transformational investments in research infrastructure, including research productivity, faculty expertise, graduate programs, physical infrastructure, human capital development, and partnerships leading to increases in external funding.

The Secretary proposes to amend the regulations related to the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) to provide for the waiver of certain student loan debts. In this NPRM, the Department proposes regulations, in accordance with the Secretary's authority to waive repayment of a loan provided by the HEA, to provide targeted debt relief as part of efforts to address the burden of student loan debt. The proposed regulations would modify the Department's existing debt collection regulations to provide greater specificity regarding certain non-exhaustive situations in which the Secretary may exercise discretion to waive all or part of any debts owed to the Department.

The Department of Education (Department) proposes priorities and requirements under the State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) program, Assistance Listing Number 84.323A. The Department may use these priorities and requirements for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2024 and later years. We take this action to focus attention on assisting States in reforming and improving their systems for personnel preparation and personnel development in order to improve results for children with disabilities.