In early March, I joined over 100 career education leaders in Washington, D.C. for CECU’s annual Washington Briefing and Advocacy Day. Held at the Capitol...
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In a troubling development for America’s 43 million student loan borrowers, delinquency rates have doubled since the pandemic payment pause ended, leaving millions at risk...
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In early March, I joined over 100 career education leaders in Washington, D.C. for CECU’s annual Washington Briefing and Advocacy Day. Held at the Capitol Hill Club, the event offered a timely look at the future of higher education policy, with robust participation from members of Congress, policy experts, and...
In a troubling development for America’s 43 million student loan borrowers, delinquency rates have doubled since the pandemic payment pause ended, leaving millions at risk for severe financial consequences. Here’s what you need to know about this growing crisis. The Shocking Numbers Behind the Student Loan Delinquency Surge According to a recent...
Higher Education at a Crossroads: Key Insights from CSPEN’s 7th Annual Policy Meeting
February 26, 2025
For those of us invested in the future of higher education, the past few years have been anything but predictable. From shifting federal policies to mounting student loan concerns, institutions are navigating a landscape that’s constantly evolving. That’s why gathering in Washington, D.C., for CSPEN’s 7th Annual Higher Education Policy Meeting...
Attending the 2025 NASFAA Leadership Conference felt like stepping into a whirlwind of financial aid challenges, policy shifts, and pressing workforce concerns. This year’s discussions painted a complex picture of the financial aid landscape—one filled with uncertainty, under-resourcing, and constant change. But amid all the challenges, there was also a...
Breaking Down ED’s GEN-24-11 Announcement: Essential Insights for Financial Responsibility Compliance
January 31, 2025
The U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) recent Dear Colleague Letter (GEN-24-11) offers critical guidance on the treatment of long-term debt and property, plant, and equipment (PP&E) in calculating an institution’s composite score for financial responsibility under Title IV. This update replaces the 2020 Electronic Announcement (except LTD Q&A 10) and...
The U.S. Department of Education has updated the Return to Title IV (R2T4) regulations (34 CFR 668.22), effective July 1, 2026, with an option for early implementation starting February 3, 2025 on certain regulations. These changes aim to provide more flexibility for institutions while maintaining compliance with federal guidelines. Let’s break...
Single Audit vs. ED Program Review – What’s Different?
January 30, 2025
Nonprofit institutions that manage Federal Student Aid funds often focus solely on navigating the annual Single Audit. However, a more significant threat looms: the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Program Review. This in-depth examination delves into your institution’s administration of Title IV federal financial aid programs, uncovering compliance issues that...
For higher education professionals, the annual audit process can feel like an intense period of juggling responsibilities, complying with evolving regulations, and making sure everything is in order. Under these conditions, even a dependable team can feel stretched. It’s understandable, then, that many institutions occasionally wonder if their auditor is...