HOUSE and SENATE

The House Education and Labor Committee Democrats introduced the College Affordability Act, their proposed comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). The bill text can be found here, and the Democrats’ summary materials of the bill can be found here.

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) passed away this week following complications concerning long-standing health challenges at the age of 68. Rep. Cummings had served in Congress since 1996 and was the Chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

ADMINISTRATION

The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) detailed its plans to increase staff and restructure ahead of its transition to the Next Generation Federal student loan servicing system (NextGen).

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that Johnny Collett is resigning as ED’s Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Mark Allan Schultz will now serve as the acting Assistant Secretary.

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) completed its review of ED’s Accreditation regulations, clearing the way for the rule to be published in its final form.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief, on behalf of ED, arguing that ED should not face sanctions from a Federal court after violating the court’s order to cease collecting on loan payments from former Corinthian Colleges students.

Three Federal judges have blocked the implementation of the Administration’s Public Charge rule.

EVENTS

Penn Hill Group plans to provide clients with a summary of the following event next week:

• October 24: House Education and Labor Subcommittee hearing on “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Labor Department’s Apprenticeship Program” at 9:00am

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES 

Penn Hill Group provides a list of grant opportunities and summaries for select grants. Please visit our website for more information.