This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning colleges, universities, campuses, international students, student housing, research initiatives, and federal research funding opportunities. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Higher Ed channel? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Social Issues and BioPharma.

Dates: 2026-01-05 to 2026-01-16

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Legislative Hearing on Veterans Affairs and Education Bills (House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity – Jan 21, 2026): The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity will convene a hearing January 21, 2026, in Cannon House Office Building (Room 360) to review H.R. 982, H.R. 2878, H.R. 4105, H.R. 5634, and multiple drafts, including the CRUISE Act and bills affecting veterans’ education, mental health, and housing. Witnesses include VA and Department of Labor officials, sector experts, and advocacy representatives.
• Empowering Rural America Through Innovation (House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains – Jan 21, 2026): On January 21, 2026, the House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains meets in Rayburn House Office Building (Room 2360) for a hearing titled “Empowering Rural America Through Investment in Innovation,” featuring leaders from technology and infrastructure organizations.

Federal Government News

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Proposed Rule Expands Eligibility and Application Procedures

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced proposed amendments to the Veteran Readiness and Employment and Education regulations to codify and expand the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship under the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act and the Isakson-Roe Act. The regulation would incorporate eligibility for dual STEM degree programs, clinical training programs for health professionals, and teaching certification pathways. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will maintain a STEM Designated Degree Program List based on Department of Education’s CIP Code taxonomy. Application processes are transitioned to electronic platforms with certifications by school officials. Monthly applicant cohorts will be prioritized based on remaining required credit hours and program type. The scholarship provides up to nine months and $30,000 in additional GI Bill benefits, with Yellow Ribbon Program support from participating schools. Benefits cannot be transferred and are excluded from the 48-month aggregate assistance limit. The proposal estimates minimal additional burden for educational institutions, aligning with current VA operations. Comments are due by March 16, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

VA Opens Applications for High-Technology Veterans Education, Training and Skills (VET TEC 2.0) Program

The Veterans Benefits Administration initiated a new information collection for the VET TEC 2.0 Program, as authorized under the Elizabeth Dole Field and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act. The program targets veterans under age 62 with at least three years of active duty, or eligible service members nearing discharge, and enables enrollment in high-technology education programs outside traditional degree structures. VA Form 22-10297 will be used for applications, with annual participant caps tracked in real time. Comments on the application and process are invited through March 13, 2026, and responses will inform the agency’s annual report to Congress.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Federal Student Aid (FSA) Feedback System Reinstatement Proposed with Changes

The US Department of Education’s FSA is seeking public input on reinstating and amending its Feedback System ICR. This centralized platform, originally launched after the Student Aid Bill of Rights, aggregates complaints and feedback relating to student loan lenders, servicers, collection agencies, and educational institutions. Changes address data quality, burden minimization, and support ongoing program integrity and responsiveness. The system anticipates 43,200 annual responses and 7,344 burden hours. Public comments are accepted through www.reginfo.gov until February 17, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Imposes Tariffs on Semiconductors and Related Equipment

On January 14, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation directing the Secretary of Commerce to advance trade negotiations and impose a 25% tariff on specific advanced computing chips and equipment deemed critical to national security and infrastructure. Certain imports, including those for research, data centers, startups, repairs, and public sector uses, are exempt. Agencies are tasked with monitoring imports and reporting market conditions. The order supersedes prior inconsistent directives and aims to strengthen the domestic technology supply chain.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Notification of Rescission: Sex Discrimination Standards under Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Revised

The Department of Labor, effective January 8, 2026, rescinded the 2022 guidance interpreting "sex" in Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to include gender identity and transgender status. The action follows judicial decisions that Title IX's reference to "sex" applies to biological sex, not gender identity, and that Bostock v. Clayton County (Title VII) does not govern Title IX interpretations. The Department will consider further rulemaking to align regulations and enforcement with current legal standards.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Lady Liberty Act of 2025 (H.R. 670)

H.R. 670, the Lady Liberty Act of 2025, saw Mr. Walkinshaw assume first sponsorship, originally introduced by Representative Connolly. The change was agreed to without objection. Procedurally, this updates cosponsorship and reprinting authority pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Foreign Enrollment on US Campuses Drops For First Time in Years: International student enrollment at US universities sees its first annual decline in several years.
• Trump’s college agenda may have a lasting impact on research, culture: Policy shifts under the Trump administration are reshaping university funding and research priorities.
• How the Common App Took the Life Out of College Applications: Book review discusses effects of standardized applications on student experiences and institutional admissions culture.
• Opinion | The Case for Hiring Public University Grads: Public universities supply diverse talent pools for employers considering recruitment strategies.
• Will higher education researchers leave for opportunities abroad?: US colleges monitor competitive recruitment of research faculty by international organizations.
• 3 major policy changes college leaders should keep tabs on: Article outlines three recent federal higher education policy changes impacting campus operations.
• How Oregon’s top higher ed board wants to solve university deficits: Oregon higher ed governance explores new models to address university budget shortfalls.

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