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. Also consider subscribing to our Higher Ed - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-04-05 to 2026-04-11

📋 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 Science Subcommittee Hearing on Scientific Publishing: The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight will hold a hearing titled 'The State of Scientific Publishing: Assessing Trends, Emerging Issues, and Policy Considerations' on April 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Rayburn 2318.
• House Workforce Protections Subcommittee Hearing on AI and the Workforce: The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will conduct a hearing, 'Building an AI-Ready America: Understanding AI’s Economic Impact on Workers and Employers,' on April 15, 2026, at 2:15 p.m. in Rayburn 2175.

Federal Government News

Executive Order 14400: National Action To Save College Sports

President Trump issued Executive Order 14400 on April 3, 2026, establishing federal directives concerning college sports across eligibility, transfers, pay-for-play, and financial practices. The order, effective August 1, 2026, defines 'improper financial activities' for higher education institutions receiving federal funds, linking adherence to college athletic governing body rules to grant and contract eligibility. It directs agency heads to evaluate certain violations as grounds for suspension from federal funding and requires the Office of Management and Budget and General Services Administration to issue compliance guidance. The order instructs the Department of Education to consider new reporting mandates regarding team rosters and expenditures, and mandates the FTC to enforce agent regulations under 15 U.S.C. 45 and 7801-7807. The Attorney General is tasked with challenging state laws conflicting with national college sports standards under the Constitution’s Commerce Clause.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Fact Sheet: Executive Order on College Sports

On April 7, 2026, the White House detailed the Executive Order's intent to address legal and financial instability affecting college athletics, safeguarding over 500,000 student-athletes and ensuring nearly $4 billion in scholarships. The order introduces a limit of five years of athletic eligibility, allows one free transfer, and restricts professional athletes from re-entering collegiate sports. The release reports endorsements from NCAA leadership, conference commissioners, and university presidents. Stakeholders, including lawmakers and sports officials, signal support for codifying reforms into federal law.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Education Department: 2026-27 Deadlines for Campus-Based Aid Programs

The Department of Education published deadline dates for submissions related to the 2026-27 Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Programs. Key deadlines include September 1, 2026, for reallocation forms and October 1, 2026, for the FISAP report submission. Institutions must use the COD website for most electronic submissions, and certain documents require original executive signatures submitted by mail. The Department will provide additional implementation guidance in future Electronic Announcements, and all paper filings must comply with detailed mailing and proof-of-delivery specifications.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Revision of William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program Forms

Federal Student Aid issued notice of proposed revisions to William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program promissory notes and related forms (OMB Control No. 1845-0007). The changes reflect statutory updates under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), effective July 1, 2026, affecting borrower eligibility, terms, and responsibilities. The update removes language invalidated by March 10, 2026, court rulings on income-driven repayment and aligns documentation for over 12 million expected annual applications.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USPTO: Comments Requested on Law School Clinic Certification Program

The United States Patent and Trademark Office announced a review of information collection for its Law School Clinic Certification Program. Comments are due by May 7, 2026. The program permits students at 74 participating law schools to represent clients in patent or trademark matters under supervision and includes periodic renewal and reporting requirements. Annual burden is estimated at 1,330 hours, with 951 anticipated respondents.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Workforce Data Quality Initiative Bill

Bill 8196 proposes to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by adding the Workforce Data Quality Initiative. The measure has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Bill 8210, to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, is under consideration by the Committees on Education and Workforce and Ways and Means.

Sources: www.congress.gov

WIOA Amendments: Substance Use Disorder Grants

Bill 8203 aims to amend the WIOA to provide information and grants to local areas for training related to addressing substance use disorder issues in the workforce. It is with the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Congressional Disapproval of Education Department Rule on Direct Loans

Bill 155 provides for congressional disapproval of the Department of Education rule regarding the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and awaits review by the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Emergency Reporting Act Advanced to Union Calendar

Bill 5200, the Emergency Reporting Act, is now placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 517. The bill addresses science, technology, and communications policy.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• The Small Private Colleges Dying in a Winner-Take-All University Marketplace: WSJ reviews closures and struggles of smaller private universities amid heightened competition.
• Colleges scramble to help students with tuition ahead of loan limits for parents: Schools are adjusting institutional aid policies as new federal limits on Parent PLUS loans approach.
• Plunging International Student Enrollment Under Trump Squeezes Colleges: NYT examines revenue pressures on U.S. colleges due to decreased international enrollment.
• Looking for a College Scholarship on Social Media Sites? Buyer, Beware.: NYT cautions families about fraudulent scholarship offers spreading through social media.
• Opinion | Teaching in an American University Is Very Strange Right Now: A faculty perspective details shifting campus dynamics in the current academic climate.
• South Africa unveils draft AI policy, proposes new institutions and incentives: Reuters reports on South Africa's release of a national artificial intelligence framework.
• North Carolina is facing a degree shortage in several industries, new report finds: Axios spotlights data indicating workforce degree shortages in key North Carolina sectors.
• Opinion | Is Antisemitism on the Rise Among College Students?: WSJ discusses recent survey data on antisemitism reported within U.S. campus environments.
• Does a law degree pay off? New study says yes: A Reuters feature reviews economic returns for law graduates based on new research.
• 5 things to know for April 7: Historic spaceflight, Tax refunds, Iran war, Georgia special election, March Madness: CNN's daily digest covers space launches and NCAA tournament outcomes.

.