National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

Two Black female students at Wichita State University with their vision boards.

Students Use Vision Boards to Plan Finances

Wichita State University’s workshop helps students visualize goals, talk about money and connect with campus resources. https://bit.ly/4txHlh5

#EDUSky #HigherEd #AcademicSky

This week on “Off the Cuff,” Jill begins the discussion by unpacking analyses that evaluate how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's new accountability framework could impact institutions.

Stream the full episode on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or on our website: https://ow.ly/SVJ150YffuE

Report cover showing a hand holding a piggy bank with a graduation cap, a calculator, and stacked coins illustrating student loan costs.

A new report released by Senate Democrats, spearheaded by Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer, and Senator Bernie Sanders, analyzes how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will lead to a significant expansion of the private student loan market: https://ow.ly/qL2T50Yfa0M

Yesterday, #NASFAALeads26 attendees had over 160 meetings with their representatives on Capitol Hill. #FinAidFeb is a great time to engage in advocacy work in support of removing financial barriers to postsecondary education.

Explore our advocacy resources to get started: https://ow.ly/lfve50YetNj

Proposed Department of Education “Professional” Degree Rule Change Sparks Controversy The Department of Education is expected to implement its proposed measures starting July 1.

In letters to policymakers and with petitions, many are concerned that the ripple effect of the "professional" degree rule change could worsen critical workforce shortages in sectors like nursing, derail academic dreams, and cripple access and equity in higher education.

Dashboard showing $67.6B total disclosed amount with 124,180 reports from 555 institutions and a pie chart breaking down disclosure types. Screenshot from https://www.foreignfundinghighered.gov/.

ED Publishes Institutional Data From Foreign Funding Disclosures

Published data submitted from institutions’ 2025 foreign funding disclosures amounted to over 8,300 transactions worth over $5.2 billion in reportable foreign gifts and contracts. Explore the data: https://ow.ly/TUOL50YenVT

Two hands fighting over a diploma with a label saying "Bachelor of Science" hanging off the ribbon in the middle.

The Fight Over Community College Bachelor’s Degrees

Earning a four-year degree at a two-year institution is now possible in nearly half of all states—and others are exploring the option. But many universities are not happy about it. https://bit.ly/4qqXW3h

#EDUSky #HigherEd

The NASFAA website and all related services will be unavailable during the afternoon on February 11 for a planned maintenance outage. During this period, all NASFAA online services will be unavailable please plan accordingly. All site services should return later this evening.

Richard Lucas, acting chief operating officer of Federal Student Aid, in a suit speaks at a podium with five panelists seated behind him on stage.

During day two of #NASFAALeads26, Department of Education officials provided attendees with the latest regulatory guidance on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and dove into new training opportunities, updates to the student loan programs, verification, and more: https://ow.ly/qWQv50YcOlL

Trump’s 'big beautiful bill' may spur significant changes to higher education in 2026 and the rise of 'un-college,' experts say The trend toward a two-year degree or even shorter-term credential — also dubbed "un-college" — will gain steam in 2026, experts say.

Trump’s 'big beautiful bill' may spur significant changes to higher education in 2026 and the rise of 'un-college,' experts say

Attendees gather around a conference table engaging with speakers at the 2026 Leadership NASFAA event under blue circular lights.

Over 465 financial aid professionals convened in Washington, D.C. on Monday for the first day of NASFAA's annual Leadership & Legislative Conference & Expo at a time when financial aid professionals are bracing for significant student aid policy changes: https://ow.ly/Hh5v50YchSU #NASFAALeads26

Federal spending deal maintains funding for education, rejecting Trump’s proposed cuts

LEARN MORE: buff.ly/Y7fXMK5

The Pell Grant program is the “foundational” federal student aid program, providing grants to low-income undergraduates with the greatest financial need. Pell has been flat funded for the past four years, which decreases Pell's purchasing power by not keeping up with inflation. #FinAidFeb

Funding Deal for ED Enacted and NASFAA's New OBBBA Resources

This week on "Off The Cuff," 🎙️ Melanie is joined by Karen and Nalia to discuss the latest news in the appropriations process.

🎧 Listen to the new episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or on our website: https://ow.ly/WmZZ50Y9Xif

Higher Ed’s Public Funding Has Entered a New Phase of Low Growth State support crept up by 1 percent. Here’s what that looks like in each state.

The country, and higher-ed finance, seems to be be moving into a different era. "We're probably moving back toward where we were in the 2010s, coming out of the Great Recession," an analyst said. https://chroni.cl/4qmR5YP

Facade of the U.S. Department of Education building with a GAO report on a $28 million cost for Civil Rights office layoffs.

A new report from the Government Accountability Office, found that the Trump administration's Reduction in Force at the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights could have cost over $28 million.

Read NASFAA's key takeaways from GAO's report: https://ow.ly/GEaA50Y9vvw

Four witnesses sit at a congressional hearing table with nameplates and microphones in a formal government chamber.

Yesterday the House Higher Education & Workforce Development Subcommittee held a hearing with the goal of listening to solutions #HigherEducation experts have employed to reduce college costs within their own institutions.

Read our recap: https://ow.ly/QVYN50Y9jFJ

Community College Students Navigate Complex Paths to Noncredit Workforce Programs Most students enrolling in community college noncredit workforce programs have already attempted traditional higher education—often multiple times—before finding their way to short-term credential pro...

Most students enrolling in community college noncredit workforce programs have already attempted traditional higher education before finding their way to short-term credential programs.

In 2024-25, 33% of undergraduate and 25% of graduate student aid was institutional, with $85.1 billion in grants provided.

The FAFSA is used for more than just federal student aid. Most postsecondary institutions have their own financial aid programs, and use your FAFSA results for those too. In 2024-25, institutional aid made up 33% of all undergraduate student aid and 25% of all graduate student aid. #FinAidFeb

Federal Work-Study is a need-based program that provides part-time jobs to students at postsecondary institutions. Federal funding for FWS has remained the same since 2023-24, which when adjusted for inflation is actually a decrease in funding for the program. #FinAidFeb

Businesswoman analyzing data on a computer with a thought bubble showing a spreadsheet, titled 'Understanding Analyses of New Accountability Frameworks'.

Several groups offered analyses of how institutions may be affected once the new accountability framework implementation begins in 2026. In a new article, we share a few that our members may find useful, along with considerations for reviewing and using each: https://ow.ly/49Cx50Y8XRj

Five students in graduation gowns holding their degrees in their hands at a college campus.

Student Success | Grad School Completion Lags Despite Growth

New research finds that only 62 percent of Texas graduate students completed their degree within six years. Collecting more systematic national data can help boost that rate. https://bit.ly/4rf2I5n

#EDUSky #HigherEd #AcademicSky

Average financial aid for undergraduates in 2024-25 totals $16,810, mostly from grants and federal loans.

College is an investment, and every student’s situation is unique. The financial aid office wants you to succeed and is filled with advocates who will ensure you understand the various federal grant, work-study, and loan options. #FinAidFeb

Multi-colored Legos being sorted into boxes by color.

ED Takes Another Step Toward Finalizing Loan Limits

The rule is slated to take effect July 1. However, significant pushback is anticipated from Congress and higher ed groups in the weeks to come. https://bit.ly/3OeykJp

#EDUSky #HigherEd #AcademicSky

View of National Harbor waterfront with a Ferris wheel under a clear sky, promoting NASFAA 2026 conference registration open for June 29 to July 2.

Registration is now open for the #NASFAA2026 National Conference! Join NASFAA this summer in National Harbor, MD—alongside thousands of fellow financial aid professionals—for the can’t-miss event of the year.

Register today to take advantage of the early bird pricing: https://ow.ly/ST0t50Y89wP

Illustration promoting Financial Aid Awareness Month with a piggy bank, calculator, graduation cap, diploma, and documents.

Happy #FinAidFeb! Every February we celebrate Financial Aid Awareness Month, in an effort to provide crucial information to students and families about access to federal, state, and institutional student aid.

Learn more & explore our resources for celebrating #FinAidFeb: https://ow.ly/V6gj50Y7H60

California Assembly Passes Bill to Expand Community College Bachelor's Degrees Despite Governor's Past Vetoes UC and Cal State oppose the latest bill.

California Assembly Passes Bill to Expand Community College Bachelor's Degrees Despite Governor's Past Vetoes

AskRegs Experts🎙️Working Through Clock-Hour To Credit-Hour Conversion

This week on "Off the Cuff," Tim and David provide an overview of clock-hour to credit-hour conversion, and its impact on aid eligibility.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube or on our website: https://ow.ly/CYTh50Y64zJ

ED Publishes NPRM to Implement Student Loan Changes Enacted Under OBBBA

The proposed regulations largely mirror the consensus text agreed to by the RISE neg reg committee, with only minor changes. Comments are due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register: https://ow.ly/OIC650Y6bz9

Two States Are Pausing H-1B Hiring at Public Universities. Here’s What That Could Mean. Texas and Florida institutions had over 1,000 foreign-worker applications approved in 2025, including new petitions and renewals. Now state changes could disrupt that pipeline.

Colleges rely on highly skilled employees from abroad to fill key roles in research, medicine, and other fields. But a new raft of federal and state changes is disrupting that pipeline. https://chroni.cl/4rl1hBQ