Department Issues Two Sets of Proposed Student-Aid Regulations

The U.S. Department of Education has issued two sets of proposed new regulations governing federal student-aid programs.

On Aug. 7, the department published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking covering the federal Academic Competitiveness Grant and National Science and
Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant programs. The new rules are designed to reduce administrative burden for program participants and to clarify program requirements. Key topics addressed in the proposed regulations include transfer-student eligibility, grade-point-average determination, the determination of an eligible major, and the definition of successful completion of a rigorous secondary-school program. The proposed regulations were developed in the wake of a negotiated rule-making process that failed to achieve consensus. The department is soliciting comments on the proposed rules until Sept. 6.

On Aug. 8, the department published proposed regulations governing Student Assistance General Provisions. A negotiated rule-making panel developed the proposed rules this spring. The proposed regulations are intended to reduce administrative burdens for program participants, provide benefits to students and borrowers, and protect taxpayers’ interests. The new rules address cash-management requirements and grant- and loan-disbursement issues, among other topics. Comments on the proposed regulations are due by Sept. 7.