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.

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Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 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

• House Education and Workforce Committee: 'U.S. Universities Under Siege: Foreign Espionage, Stolen Innovation, and the National Security Threat': The House Education and Workforce Committee will hold a hearing titled "U.S. Universities Under Siege: Foreign Espionage, Stolen Innovation, and the National Security Threat" on March 26, 2026, at 2:15 PM ET in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2175.
• Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee: Hearing on Student-Athletes' Success: The Senate HELP Committee is scheduled for a hearing on positioning student-athletes for success in school and beyond, on March 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET in Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 430.
• House Financial Services Subcommittee Examines Regulatory Adaptation to Technology: The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence will meet March 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET to discuss 'Innovation at the Speed of Markets: How Regulators Keep Pace with Technology' in Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2128.

Federal Government News

Education Department Solicits Comments on Outcome Evaluation of TRIO Programs

On March 19, the Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences announced a proposed information collection for its study, 'Description of Today's TRIO Programs and Proposing Options for Future Outcome Evaluations.' The department aims to survey TRIO grantee project directors and staff to better understand existing TRIO programs and explore future evaluation strategies. The two rounds of web-based surveys are expected to generate approximately 5,472 annual responses, amounting to nearly 5,768 burden hours. Comments from the public, addressing factors such as necessity, burden estimates, and clarity, are being accepted until May 18, 2026. Responses should reference Docket ID ED-2026-SCC-0563. The initiative is positioned during a period of increased emphasis on data-driven review of federally funded educational support programs.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Education Department Requests Input on State Workforce Pell Program Certification Process

Federal Student Aid is developing a new information collection to operationalize the workforce Pell Grant changes legislated in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, effective July 2025. The proposal introduces an optional form for States to certify higher education institutions' eligibility for designated workforce programs under the new framework. The certification, which requires State Governor approval, will determine institutional participation in the expanded Pell Grant programs for eligible workforce education. The agency estimates 100 annual responses, involving 1,600 burden hours in total. Public comments must be submitted by May 19, 2026, referencing Docket No.: ED-2026-SCC-0595.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Department of Education to Study Federal Student Loan Borrower Repayment Choices

The Institute of Education Sciences is seeking approval to gather new survey data on the experiences of federal student loan borrowers enrolled in income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. The 'Shaping the Future of Loan Repayment' study will engage borrowers through interviews to assess their understanding of loan options, enrollment behaviors, and the factors that drive repayment choices. With an estimated 60 responses and a low overall burden (30 hours annually), the study is intended as an initial step to inform future research on borrower decision-making. Comments will be accepted until May 18, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

National Institutes of Health Offers Gene Editing Technology for Licensing

On March 20, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of NIH announced the availability of a new base editing gene therapy for ROSAH syndrome, targeting the ALPK1 p.Thr237Met genetic variant. Laboratory testing demonstrated successful mutation repair in patient-derived cells. NIAID invites parties to license the technology or pursue research collaborations. The technology is at the pre-clinical stage, covered under HHS Reference No. E-044-2024-0, with provisional and PCT patent applications filed in December 2024 and December 2025, respectively.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Publishes National AI Legislative Framework

President Donald J. Trump, on March 20, announced a comprehensive legislative framework for artificial intelligence, detailing objectives related to child safety online, economic growth, intellectual property, free speech, innovation, and workforce readiness. The framework calls for cohesive federal policy to avoid discrepant state regulations, and outlines the Administration’s stance on advancing AI-enabled skills training and research. The White House is seeking Congressional collaboration to translate this framework into legislation affecting higher education, research, and workforce development sectors.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Institutional Ineligibility and Risk-Sharing for Low Repayment Rates

Companion bills (H.R. 8009 and S. 4114) seek to amend the Higher Education Act to introduce institutional ineligibility for federal student aid based on low cohort repayment rates and require risk-sharing payments from postsecondary institutions. The House bill was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce; the Senate bill was sent to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

Student Aid Fraud Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026 Advances in the House

H.R. 7891, the Student Aid Fraud Oversight and Accountability Act, was ordered to be reported amended by a unanimous vote of 33-0. The measure would address oversight of federal student aid programs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Truman Scholarship Clean House Act Moves Forward

H.R. 7894, the Truman Scholarship Clean House Act, was ordered to be reported (amended) by a 19-13 vote, engaging on reforms and administrative oversight for the Truman Scholarship program.

Sources: www.congress.gov

FAFSA Verification Efficiency Act Passes Committee Stage

H.R. 7893, the FAFSA Verification Efficiency Act, cleared committee with a 19-13 vote. The bill proposes changes to streamline the verification process for student aid applications.

Sources: www.congress.gov

No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 Bill Reported

H.R. 7892, the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026, was ordered to be reported (amended) by a margin of 30-3. The legislation addresses fraudulent or inaccurate student aid disbursements.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Opinion | The Education Department Is Shrinking: The Wall Street Journal discusses changes underway in the Department of Education's staffing and mission priorities.
• Litigation funding deal threatens class action over US college financial aid: Reuters details how a litigation funding dispute could affect ongoing class action claims regarding collegiate financial aid policies.

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