Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick

Dear Colleagues,

The government shutdown has now reached historic proportions as the longest in history. While bipartisan conversations about how to reopen the government continue, the political extremes are dug in on their positions. Liberal Democrats want the expiring health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act to be extended, while House Republicans want a long-term continuing resolution (CR) that allows the President to continue to shrink the government.

The House-passed CR that the Senate has rejected 14 times expires November 21. A new CR with a new deadline will need to be written for consideration in both chambers to bridge the impasse.

It remains to be seen what, if any, effect Tuesday’s election results will have on the strategies and priorities for the parties going forward.

Later today, the second and final round of negotiated rulemaking for the Reimagining and Improving Student Education Committee will complete its work. We have been watching these negotiations closely, especially as it relates to graduate loan limits and the definition of a “professional” graduate program and will report on the outcomes in next week’s Washington Update. Once again, I’d like to thank Jenna Colvin, president of the Georgia Independent College Association, for her work and dedication serving on the negotiating committee.

This week’s issue reports on yesterday’s Senate hearing focused on college cost and value transparency and the recent release of the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid.

Soundbites

• NAICU comments on VA distance learning definition. NAICU joined the higher education community in submitting comments to the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding a proposed rule to amend the definitions of distance learning and independent study to expand the scope of programs under the jurisdiction of state approval agencies. The higher education community supports developing consistent definitions across programs but wants to ensure critical guardrails for program quality and integrity are maintained in the process.

• PSLF Rules Finalized. The Department of Education issued final rules that would limit the ability of employers to qualify under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program if they are found to be engaged in certain activities deemed to have a “substantial illegal purpose.” A group of states and a coalition of cities and advocacy organizations have already filed two lawsuits challenging the new regulations, which are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

I hope you have a pleasant weekend,

Regards

Barbara

Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.
President, NAICU

For more information, please contact:
Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.