The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education today announced its intention to establish a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee entitled ‘Student Loans and Affordability Committee’ to prepare proposed regulations for federal student aid programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. This action comes following two public hearings and a comment period where the Department solicited feedback on ways to streamline and improve higher education regulations.
“The negotiated rulemaking process that we are announcing today will allow key stakeholders to help improve federal student aid programs, including the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, so they work for students, families, and taxpayers,” said Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron. “We look forward to receiving nominations for negotiators as we begin this process to right size higher education.”
The committee will address the following topics:
- Refining the definitions of a qualifying employer for the purposes of determining eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; and
- Revisiting family size, restructuring repayment plans, and certain other provisions of the July 10, 2023, rule establishing the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan, which has been enjoined.
The deadline to submit nominations for negotiators is on or before June 2, 2025. The Department anticipates holding one session between June 30th and July 2nd before issuing proposed and final rules later this year. The Department also plans to announce additional committees focused on various other topics throughout this Administration.
Background:
Section 492 of the Higher Education Act requires that the Secretary solicit public involvement in the development of proposed regulations before publishing proposed rules implementing programs authorized under Title IV. After obtaining advice and recommendations from the public and stakeholders, the Secretary conducts negotiated rulemaking to develop the proposed regulations.
On April 4th, the Department announced its intent to commence negotiated rulemaking to address topics which may include Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), or other topics that would streamline and improve federal student financial assistance programs and related regulations. The Department hosted two public hearings on April 29th and May 1st.
For information about the 2025-2026 negotiated rulemaking process, including a frequently asked questions guide, visit Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education 2025-2026.
To nominate a negotiator, please email negregnominations@ed.gov.