This page provides information regarding the Department's negotiated rulemaking in 2025 to make regulatory changes for the programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. View our Frequently Asked Questions about Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education for more information about negotiated rulemaking in general.
What's New
- Expand the “Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee” header below for session details.
Federal Register Notices (official notices www.federalregister.gov).
- Intent to Establish Negotiated Rulemaking Committees** (Published 04/04/2025)
- Negotiator Nominations and Schedule of Committee Meeting - Student Loans and Affordability Committee** (Published 05/12/2025)
- Intent to Establish Negotiated Rulemaking Committees, Negotiator Nominations and Schedule of Committee Meetings** (Published 07/25/25)
- Correction to Docket ID** (Published 07/29/2025)
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program - Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program under 34 CFR 685.219** (Published 8/18/2025)
- Notice of Final Rule - William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program - Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program under 34 CFR 685.219** (Published 10/31/2025)
- Fact Sheet - Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness to Its Statutory Purpose** (Published 10/31/2025)
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (In-Person)
Session Times:
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
Thursday, May 1, 2025 (Virtual)
Session Times:
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
Thursday, August 7, 2025 (Virtual)
Session Times:
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
Session Dates and Times:
June 30 - July 2, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern
Monday, June 30, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
Materials distributed by the Department presession:
- Committee Member List*
- Committee Protocols*
- Committee Agenda*
- Discussion Draft as of 6/23/2025*
- Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness Executive Order**
- 2025 PSLF List of Legal Links*
- PSLF Negotiated Rulemaking Additional Links*
Materials distributed by the Negotiators during day 1:
- 2025 PSLF Issue Paper Oguh PeopleJoy Comments (Submitted by Emeka Oguh)*
- 2025 Student Loan and Affordability Committee Neg Regs (Submitted by Mary Lyn Hammer)*
- Buy Back Proposal (Submitted by Betsy Mayotte)*
- Candidly Economic Analysis the Cost-Effectiveness of PSLF (Submitted by Laurel Taylor)*
- Proposed Language to Protect Borrowers Currently Working Towards PSLF (Submitted by Alyssa Dobson)*
- Employer Eligibility Determination Language (Submitted by Tracy Ireland)*
- Employed At the Time of Application (Submitted by Mary Lyn Hammer)*
- Item 30(v) Language Change Suggestion (Submitted by Tracy Ireland)*
- Employer notification to employees of ineligible status - new section (j) (Submitted by Mary Lyn Hammer)*
Materials distributed by the Department during day 1:
Materials distributed by the Negotiators during day 2:
- PSLF Qualified Employer Definition Draft (Submitted by Rebecca Stanley)*
- Proposed amendment to Employer Reinstatement Option Oguh PeopleJoy (Submitted by Emeka Oguh)*
- Military and Veteran Student Proposal regarding Subsections (h) and (i) (Submitted by Bob Carey)*
- Definition Question and Recommendation (Submitted by Tracy Ireland)*
- Proposal for Additional Borrower Notification (Submitted by Mary Lyn Hammer)*
- Proposal on Chemical and Surgical Castration and Mutilation (Submitted by Bob Carey)*
- Anti-Discrimination Language (Submitted by Bob Carey)*
- Additional Support for Definition Question and Recommendation (Submitted by Tracy Ireland)*
- Reinstatement language (Submitted by Kaity McNeill)*
- Proposed revised language to protect those sharing EIN (Submitted by Rebecca Stanley)*
- 29 Day Proposal (Submitted by Thomas Aiello)*
- Updated Mil-Vet Student Negotiator Proposal on Section (h) (Submitted by Bob Carey)*
- Proposed Framework for Identifying Employers with a Substantial Illegal Purpose (Submitted by Helen Faith)*
- Notification of Regained Eligibility (Submitted by Scott Buchanan)*
- Proposal to amend definition of qualifying employer (Submitted by Abby Shafroth)*
Materials distributed by the Department during day 2:
- PSLF Discussion Paper Final Day 2*
- Employer Reinstatement Option PSLF Reg Text*
- 2025 PSLF Discussion Paper Final Day 2 as of 1 PM*
Materials distributed by the Department during day 3:
Session 1 - Dates and Times:
September 29 - October 3, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern
Monday, September 29, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
Thursday, October 2, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
Friday, October 3, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
Materials distributed by the Department presession:
- Committee Member List* - Updated Committee Member List*
- Committee Protocols*
- Committee Agenda*
- Pub. L. 119-21**
- Fixed Payment Repayment 685.208 Final_ (9.30.25)*
- Loan Limits 685.102 685.200 685.201 685.203 Final_(9.30.25)*
- Discussion Draft and Proposed Amendatory Text Miscellaneous Loan Repayment Provisions and Public Service Loan Forgiveness*
- Discussion Draft and Proposed Amendatory Text Income-Driven Repayment Plans Provisions*
- Rehabilitation 674.39 682.405 685.204 685.205 685.211 Final_ (9.30.25)*
Materials distributed by the Department during Day 1:
Materials distributed by the Negotiators during Day 1:
Materials distributed by the Department during Day 2:
- Discussion Draft and Proposed Amendatory Text Loan Limit Provisions and Definitions 9.29 PM Version*
- Dear Colleague Letter 08-04
Materials distributed by the Negotiators during day 2:
- RISE Loan Limit Definitions (Submitted by Deborah Lilly)*
- Question on 2 Hypotheticals for Repayment Draft (Submitted by Alex Holt)*
- Questions on IDR 682.215 685.209 and Fixed Repayment 685.208 (Submitted by Emeka Oghu)*
- NDC RISE Committee White Paper on Loan Reform and Education Rules (Submitted by Bob Carey)*
- 682.215: FFEL IBR Regs (Submitted by Scott Kemp)*
- Proposed Professional Degree Definition (Submitted by Alex Holt)*
- Memo on the Proposed Definition of a Professional Degree (Submitted by Alex Holt and Andrew Gillen)*
Materials distributed by the Department during day 3:
Materials distributed by the Negotiators during day 3:
- RISE Missouri Professional Degrees (Submitted by Bennett Boggs)*
- Professional Occupations SOC to CIP Crosswalk (Submitted by Bennett Boggs)*
- RISE Neg Reg Forbearance Proposal (Submitted by Ashlee Naporlee)*
- Hypotheticals Regarding IDR Plans (Submitted by Ashlee Naporlee)*
- Repayment and Forbearance Questions with Hypotheticals (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Memorandum on Institutional Determined Loan Limits and the CFP (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Rehab to IDR Proposal (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Draft Stop Collections While Rehab in Place Proposal (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
Materials Distributed by the Department during day 4:
- RISE Discussion Paper Fixed Payment Repayment 685.208 10.01 AM Version*
- RISE Discussion Paper IDR 682.215 685.209 10.01 PM Version*
- RISE Discussion Paper Loan Limits 685.102 685.200 685.201 685.203-10.01 PM Version*
- RISE Discussion Paper Rehabilitation 674.39 682.405 685.204 685.205 685.211-10.01 PM Version*
Materials distributed by the Negotiators during day 4:
- Parent PLUS IBR enrollment proposal (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- RISE Neg Reg-Forbearance Proposal (October 1, 2025) (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- REVISED Professional Degree PSLF Analysis (Submitted by Alex Holt) *
- Proposed Update to Loan Limits (Submitted by Jeffrey Bodimer) *
- Proposal re: 682.215(e)(6) (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman) *
- Revised Proposed Update to Loan Limits (Submitted by Jeffrey Bodimer)*
- Less than full time enrollment adjustments (Submitted by Jenna Colvin)*
Materials distributed by the Department during day 5:
- Professional Student Definition- 10 02 2025-PM Version 5pm*
- Rise Discussion Paper IDR 682.215 685.209 10 02 PM Version*
- Screenshare Text- Various 10 03 PM Version*
Materials distributed by the Negotiators during day 5:
- Proposed Update to Loan Limits (Submitted by Jeffrey Bodimer)*
- 685.203 - Scenarios for Less than FT Enrollment (Submitted by Scott Kemp)*
- 10_03 Enroll in IDR After Completing Rehab Proposal (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
Materials distributed by the Negotiators following Session 1:
- Revised Proposed Definition of Professional Degree 10.10.2025 (Submitted by Alex Holt, Andrew Gillen, Ashley Naporiee, and Tamar Hoffman)*
- Memo on a Revised Professional Degree Definition and Aligning Definitions in the Code of Federal Regulations 10.10.2025 (Submitted by Alex Holt and Andrew Gillen)*
- Proposal - Clarifying text on applicable amount in 34 CFR 682.215 Oct 10, 2025 (Submitted by Alex Holt and Lori Hartung)*
- Proposal to Remove References to “Applicable Amount” in 34 CFR 685.209 for Accuracy and Consistency with OBBB (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Setting a Minimum Payment Amount for Fixed Repayment Plans (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Proposal for Proration of Loans for Less-Than-Full-Time Students (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- October 10 Stop Collections While Rehab Is In Place Proposal (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Proposal to Clarify “Applicable Amount” in 34 CFR 685.215 for Accuracy and Consistency with OBBB (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Memo 685_203 Less Than FT Enrollment Revised Submission (Submitted by Scott Kemp)*
- Principles for Application of Interest and Principal Subsidies (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Increasing accessibility of rehabilitation proposal (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman and Ashley Naporlee)*
November 3-7, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern
Monday, November 3, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
Thursday, November 6, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
- Transcript*
- Recording
Friday, November 7, 2025
The committee concluded it activities on Thursday November 6, 2025.
Materials distributed by the Department presession:
- 2025 RISE Negotiated Rulemaking Session 2 Agenda_FINAL*
- RISE Discussion Draft §674.39 Loan rehabilitation plans*
- RISE Discussion Draft §682.405 Loan rehabilitation agreement*
- RISE Discussion Draft §682.215 Income-based repayment plan*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.102 Definitions*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.200 Borrower eligibility*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.201 Obtaining a loan*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.203 Loan limits*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.204 Deferment*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.205 Forbearance*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.208 Fixed payment repayment plans*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.209 Income-driven repayment plans*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.210 Choice of repayment plan*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.211 Miscellaneous repayment provisions*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.219 Public Service Loan Forgiveness*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.220 Consolidation*
- RISE Discussion Draft §685.221 Alternative repayment*
- RISE Discussion Draft 685.203 Loan Limits 10.31.2025*
Materials distributed by the Negotiators presession:
Materials distributed by the Department on Day 1:
Materials distributed by the Negotiators on Day 1:
- Notes on New Regulatory Drafts (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Proposal to Prorate RAP Payments for Married Borrowers Filing Jointly (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- § 685.203 Loan Limits Clarification (Submitted by Alex Ricci)*
- Clarifying that Collections Will Not Begin While Rehabilitation is in Progress (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Follow-up on excluding rehabilitation during payment pause towards rehab limit (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Patti's inquiry/example on 685.203 (Submitted by Jenna Colvin)*
- Less than full-time - 685.203 Patti's second question (Submitted by Jenna Colvin)*
- Follow-up regarding proration of student loan payments for married borrowers filing jointly (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Clarifying payment plan availability for FFEL borrowers who take out new loans (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman and Ashely Naporlee)*
- Clarification on Cost of Pro-rating RAP Payments (Submitted by Alex Holt)*
Materials Distributed by the Department on Day 2:
Materials distributed by the Negotiators on Day 2:
- Proposal to Set Minimum Rehabilitation Payment Amount to Avoid Future Default (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Draft - Defining "Program of Study" in 34 CFR 685.203 (Submitted by Alex Ricci)*
- HEAL Question (Submitted by Andy Vaughn)*
- Question/Hypo (Submitted by Ashley Naporlee)*
- Legacy Qualifications and New Professional Loan Limits (Submitted by Patti Kohler)*
- Proposal 685.203 Program of Study and Phase-In of Loan Limits (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
Materials distributed by the Department on Day 3:
- Summary of Changes to Regulatory Text Day 3*
- 685.102 Definition of Professional Student 2025-11-4*
- List of Programs (4-digit CIPS)*
- RISE Committee Session 2 Loan Limits + Schedule of Reductions Question*
Materials distributed by the Negotiators on Day 3:
- RISE Neg Reg Committee RAP & PSLF Buyback (Submitted by Deborah Lilly)*
- Definition of professional program (Submitted by Timothy King)* (Withdrawn)
- Advance Payments under RAP - 11.5.25 (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
- Proposed Clarification - "Program of Study" in 685.203 (m)(2) (Submitted by Alex Ricci)*
- Subscription-based programs (Loan Limits) (Submitted by Ashley Naporlee)*
- Revised Professional Programs Definition (Submitted by Timothy King)*
- Revised Proposed Clarification - "Program of Study" in 685.203 (m)(2) (Submitted by Alex Ricci)*
- Proposal regarding ED's new proposed language (114 PM) for 685.219 (Submitted by Tamar Hoffman)*
Materials distributed by the Department on Day 4:
Materials distributed by the Negotiators on Day 4:
- RISE Neg Reg: Professional Student/Degree - Clinical Psychology (Submitted by Deborah Lilly)*
- Example: Proposed 685.102 language impact on Missouri (Submitted by Bennett Boggs)*
- Proposal from the PNP college negotiator - 685.102 Definitions of Professional Student (Submitted by Jenna Colvin)*
- Technical Assistance Request - 685.102 - CIPS-4 to Degree Name Clarifications (Submitted by Scott Kemp)*
Draft Consensus Language. Note that the language in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking may differ slightly due to technical corrections and formatting:
- Section 674.39 Loan Rehabilitation 11.06.25
- Section 682.215 Income-Based Repayment 11.06.25
- Section 682.405 Loan Rehab Agreement 11.06.25
- Section 685.102 Definitions 11.05.25
- Section 685.200 Borrower Eligibility 11.06.25
- Section 685.201 Obtaining a Loan 11.06.25
- Section 685.203 Loan Limits 11.06.2025
- Section 685.204 Deferment 11.06.25
- Section 685.205 Forbearance 11.06.25
- Section 685.208 Fixed Repayment 11.06.25
- Section 685.209 Income-Driven Repayment 11.06.25
- Section 685.210 Choice of Repayment Plan 11.06.25
- Section 685.211 Miscellaneous 11.06.25
- Section 685.219 PSLF 11.06.25
- Section 685.221 Alternative Repayment 11.06.25
- Section 685.303 Processing Loan Proceeds 11.06.25
Session 1 - Dates and Times:
December 8-12, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern
Location: U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW. Washington, DC 20202
- Auditorium will open at 8:30 a.m.
Registration: https://cvent.me/XOYav1 (in person and live stream)
Notes:
- Enter through the visitor entrances on C Street or Maryland Avenue
- For your safety, screening procedures are in effect.
- Government-issued photo ID (needed to enter a federal building). The following IDs are accepted:
- Real ID Driver's License
- Passport
- Military ID
- Federal Government ID
- No food/drink available on site
- No banners or signs allowed
Materials distributed by the Department Presession:
Session 2 - Dates and Times:
January 5-9, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern
Additional information coming soon.
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