The US Department of Education is holding virtual hearings on higher education regulations and reform. The hearings will be held June 21, 23, and 24, 2021. Following these hearings ED will solicit nominations for non-federal negotiators who can serve on the negotiated rulemaking committees, which will convene in late summer 2021. Individuals who would like to make comments at the public hearings must register by sending an email message to negreghearing@ed.gov no later than 12:00 PM (EST) on the business day prior to the public hearing at which they wish to speak. Speakers should prepare a speech that is 3 to 4 minutes in length. Topics may include:
- Ability to benefit
- Borrower defense to repayment
- Certification procedures for participation in federal financial aid programs
- Change of ownership and change in control of institutions of higher education
- Closed school discharges
- Discharges for borrowers with a total and permanent disability
- Discharges for false certification of student eligibility
- Financial responsibility for participating institutions of higher education, such as events that indicate heightened financial risk
- Gainful employment
- Income-contingent loan repayment plans
- Mandatory pre-dispute arbitration and prohibition of class action lawsuits provisions in institutions’ enrollment agreements
- Pell Grant eligibility for prison education programs
- Public service loan forgiveness
- Standards of administrative capability
For more information, read the announcement.