Aired July 7, 2026
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) higher education provisions are effective July 1, and financial aid offices are on the front lines of putting them into practice.
Melanie Storey, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, joins hosts Mushtaq Gunja and Jon Fansmith to talk about the implementation challenges, from new program-level accountability requirements to the practical questions about student aid that campuses are working through.
Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:
"Uniform Guidance" Grantmaking Rule
Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance
Federal Register | May 28, 2026
Summary: Office of Management and Budget Government-Wide Regulations for Federal Financial Assistance
ACE | June 16, 2026
Sen. Collins Asks OMB to Withdraw Parts of Grant Rule, Extend Comment Period
U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations | July 6, 2026
Comments Flood OMB Proposal to Cement Political Control of Grants
Inside Higher Ed | July 7, 2026
"Professional" Degree & Graduate Loan Limits Rule
Nursing Gains ‘Professional’ Label for Student Loans After Judge’s Ruling, But Theology Now Dropped
The Associated Press | June 29, 2026
Professional Degree Definition Remains Contested as Student Loan Changes Take Effect July 1
ACE | June 29, 2026
Accountability Rule (Earnings Test)
U.S. Department of Education Issues Final Rule to Hold All Colleges and Universities Accountable for Low-Earning Programs
Department of Education | June 29, 2026
Financial Aid Shift to Hit Low-Wage Fields Like Religion, Cosmetology and Arts
The Washington Post | June 30, 2026
Comments on Education Department’s Proposed Rule on Accountability
ACE | May 20, 2026
OBBB Student Loan Changes
July 1 Brings Big Student Loan Changes. Here's What You Need to Know
NPR | June 30, 2026
Comments on the Education Department's Implementation of OBBB Financial Aid Provisions
ACE | March 2, 2026
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Judges Strike Down Trump’s Restrictions on Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants
The Washington Post | June 30, 2026
Dear Colleague Letter on Housing
Dear Colleague Letter
HUD | June 23, 2026
Dear Colleague Letter Asks Colleges to End Affinity Housing
Inside Higher Ed | June 26, 2026
Supreme Court Ruling on Transgender Athletes
Supreme Court Allows States to Bar Transgender Athletes From Girls’ Sports
The New York Times | June 30, 2026