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: 2026-05-03 to 2026-05-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Hearing: Department of Education Policies and Priorities: The House Committee on Education and Workforce will hold a hearing titled "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education" on May 14, 2026, at 10:15 a.m. ET in Rayburn House Office Building 2175.
• Markup: House Veterans' Affairs Committee Considers Student Transcript Bill: On May 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee will mark up H.R. 5436, which would prohibit educational institutions from withholding transcripts for students using post-9/11 educational assistance, among other bills, in Cannon House Office Building 360.

Federal Government News

Education Department Finalizes Priorities and Requirements for Comprehensive Centers Program

The Department of Education published notice on May 8, 2026, establishing final priorities and requirements for the Comprehensive Centers (CC) Program, including new definitions, application, and program requirements for National, Regional, and Content Centers. The update outlines project requirements for alignment with state-determined priorities, new service plan and performance management expectations, advisory board structures, and revised indirect cost procedures. The Department's notice takes effect June 8, 2026, and emphasizes collaboration with Regional Educational Laboratories and technical assistance providers. Current awards may be impacted by a possible re-competition under the new priorities, with existing grantees directed to close out or transfer operations as needed. Application requirements are clarified for future competitions, including set expectations for organizational leadership structures and stakeholder engagement.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Announces FY2026 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Opportunity

The Rural Utilities Service released its Notice of Funding Opportunity for the 2026 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program. Applications are now being accepted for technology deployment and support projects targeting access to education and healthcare in rural areas. Applicants and guidance are available at grants.gov and the USDA program web page. The agency signaled that in future years, funding announcements will only be posted online and will cease publication in the Federal Register.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

National Study of Special Education Spending Launched

The Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences is initiating a major national study to estimate special education expenditures across states, districts, and schools, with data collection by disability category and revenue sources. The study also assesses the adequacy of federal IDEA funds in meeting these costs. Comments on the information collection are due by June 3, 2026, and the estimated annual burden is 11,501 hours across 5,051 responses. Findings may inform future policy discussions on special education funding and resource allocation.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NSF Seeks Feedback on Service Delivery

The National Science Foundation issued a notice seeking public comment on the extension and revision of its generic clearance for qualitative stakeholder feedback on agency service delivery. The clearance allows for ongoing, low-burden collection of feedback on NSF programs, user experiences, and communication. The agency projects up to 25,000 annual responses, and the feedback aims to inform program adjustments but will not be used for policymaking or published outside the agency. Comments are due by July 6, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Education Department Comment Request: Loan Rehabilitation Payments Revision

Federal Student Aid within the Department of Education is seeking comments through July 6, 2026, on proposed revisions to the Loan Rehabilitation: Reasonable and Affordable Payments information collection. The changes reflect updated statutory requirements enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act affecting borrowers with defaulted Direct Loans and FFEL loans. The revised form is estimated to affect 139,000 respondents with an equivalent annual burden in hours. The Department will consider public comments regarding the clarity, necessity, and technology utilization for the information collection.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 8683: To codify the Optional Practical Training program

Bill 8683 seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to codify the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on May 7, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8714: To establish skill savings accounts

Bill 8714 proposes an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code to create skill savings accounts. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on May 7, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8691: Amending the definition of a professional student in the Higher Education Act of 1965

Bill 8691, introduced May 7, 2026, would change the definition of a professional student in the Higher Education Act of 1965. It was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 7463: Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act

Bill 7463 (Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act) advanced to the Union Calendar (No. 555) as of May 7, 2026. The bill focuses on improving postsecondary access and outcomes for foster youth.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8663: Fair Pay Act of 2026

Bill 8663, the Fair Pay Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on May 4, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Florida Enacts Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act

Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 905, tightening restrictions on foreign influence in Florida, including new prohibitions on university partnerships, charitable contributions, and official gifts linked to foreign adversaries.

Sources: www.flgov.com

Florida Appoints New Members to Board of Control for Southern Regional Education

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Melissa Matz, a junior high teacher, and Mel Ponder, president of Northwest Florida State College, to the Board of Control for Southern Regional Education.

Sources: www.flgov.com

Indiana Codifies Ivy Tech Community College Mission Update

Indiana's governor signed Senate Enrolled Act 254, advancing Ivy Tech Community College’s focus on workforce development, dual credit, and subject-matter expertise requirements for governance.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Indiana Prohibits Foreign Adversary Involvement in Higher Education

Senate Enrolled Act 256, signed in Indiana, bars foreign adversaries from land ownership, removes foreign agents from critical higher ed programs, and blocks state funding for linked organizations.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Florida Appoints Legal and Higher Ed Professionals to Statewide Human Trafficking Council

Governor DeSantis appointed Khari James, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, and Emilie Oglesby, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, to the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.

Sources: www.flgov.com

What We're Reading This Week

• What we know about the Canvas hack that has impacted thousands of schools: A cyberattack on the Canvas LMS platform disrupted finals week activities at thousands of schools.
• More Colleges Are Closing. It’s About Time: An op-ed assesses the trend of increasing college closures amid shifting enrollment and financial pressures.
• Texas risks losing talent as student visa denials climb: Texas is seeing economic risks as the rate of student visa denials rises, potentially affecting research institutions and local economies.
• Trump's student loan limits could rock the health care industry: Proposed student loan caps have potential implications for medical school enrollment and the broader healthcare workforce.
• These Are the Hiring Hot Spots Where College Grads Are Landing Good Jobs: A survey highlights the U.S. cities where new college graduates are securing the most employment opportunities.
• She Tried to Help Schools Build Healthier Playgrounds. Then Her E.P.A. Grant Was Canceled.: A cancelled E.P.A. grant disrupted efforts to create environmentally healthier school playgrounds.

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