Federal regulations shape nearly every aspect of how colleges and universities operate, from student financial aid and accreditation to civil rights compliance and institutional accountability.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) administers most federal higher education policy under the Higher Education Act (HEA), but other federal agencies—including the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Homeland Security—also issue rules with significant implications for institutions and students. Ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to restructure ED and transfer some of its programs to other federal agencies have made it increasingly important for institutions to monitor regulatory activity across the government.
ED's current rulemaking agenda is driven largely by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, which restructures federal student loans, redefines institutional accountability, alters Pell Grant eligibility, and more. ED has launched multiple negotiated rulemaking committees to implement the law's higher education provisions.
ACE engages actively across the federal regulatory landscape, working with Congress and the executive branch to ensure that the perspectives of colleges and universities are represented in rulemaking processes and policy discussions.