On December 8, 2025, the Department of Education published an Electronic Announcement stating that, effective December 7, a low earnings indicator will be implemented on the 2026/2027 FAFSA. This indicator will appear on a first-year undergraduate student’s FAFSA Submission Summary for any institution they select to receive their FAFSA data...
McClintock Minute
Recent Featured Articles Articles
The Department of Education’s RISE Committee concluded its second and final week of negotiations on November 7, reaching full consensus on all proposed regulatory concepts. With consensus achieved, the Department will now draft regulatory text reflecting these agreed-upon positions. While the formal language has not yet been released, the Week...
Staying Compliant with the Ban on Incentive Compensation: A Timely Year-End Reminder
As the calendar year comes to a close, many institutions are conducting annual performance evaluations, reviewing compensation structures, and planning staffing adjustments for the year ahead. This makes it an ideal time to revisit one of the most closely scrutinized areas of Title IV compliance: the ban on incentive compensation. Institutions...
Student A/R Write-offs: The Hidden Deal Breaker in School Acquisitions
Whether the Mergers & Acquisitions market is hot or cautious, one truth remains constant: student accounts receivable (A/R) can quietly make—or break—a school acquisition. Unwritten write-offs inflate EBITDA and net working capital, anchoring sellers to higher valuations. Once diligence reveals the real collectability picture, the resulting price reset can be...
The Strategic Investor’s Playbook: Navigating M&A in the Education and Training Sector in 2025
Insight from McClintock & Associates, Professional Accounting and Advisory Services The global education and training (E&T) sector has evolved into one of the most dynamic and resilient investment frontiers. No longer viewed solely through a philanthropic lens, education is now a high-performing asset class—combining social impact with long-term stability and scalability....
Navigating FVT/GE Reporting After the Deadline: How Institutions Can Resolve NSLDS Errors and Maintain Compliance
The Department of Education’s new Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) regulations represent the next major accountability milestone for Title IV institutions. Following the October 1, 2025 reporting deadline, many schools are still working through data validation and error resolution in the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)—a process...
The Department of Education’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee has concluded the first round of negotiated rulemaking under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) statute. Despite a partial federal government shutdown during the session, the Department had planned in advance to keep key Federal Student Aid staff working...
McClintock & Associates Promotes Tom Wilson to Technical Director
McClintock & Associates, a leading public accounting firm providing specialized services to postsecondary educational institutions and service-based industries, is proud to announce the promotion of Tom Wilson, CPA, to Technical Director. “Tom’s promotion formalizes the leadership he has demonstrated for years,” said Managing Director Dave McClintock, CPA. “His strong technical accounting...
