July 05, 2026 to July 11, 2026

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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📋 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 Hearing: “Training Activists, Not Physicians: The Impact of DEI on Medical Schools”: The House Education and Workforce Committee will convene on July 14 to examine the role of DEI initiatives in medical school training with deans from UCLA, UCSF, and UI College of Medicine.
• House Natural Resources Markup: Multiple Water, Indian Affairs, and Research Bills: On July 15, the House Natural Resources Committee will mark up legislation concerning water rights settlements, economic development, NOAA policies, Indian land disputes, mammal protection, watershed science, and health service parity.

Federal Government News

Education Department Revises Direct Loan Repayment Plan Selection Form

Federal Student Aid at the Department of Education announced a revision of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program Repayment Plan Selection Form to comply with regulatory changes instituted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The updated form addresses new statutory requirements for Direct Loans and provisions for borrowers who do not select a repayment plan, defaulting them to standard or tiered options as specified in 34 CFR 685.210(a)(2). Annual responses are estimated at 660,000 with 110,220 burden hours, reflecting adjustments to incorporate OBBBA requirements and fixed payment plan procedures.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Department of Education Updates Income Driven Repayment Plan Request

A revised Income Driven Repayment Plan Request form was released for public comment, reflecting changes from the OBBBA and recent court actions. The revision incorporates statutory reforms and introduces the Repayment Assistance Plan, updates eligibility and family size questions, and notifies borrowers of upcoming sunsets of PAYE and ICR plans by 2028. The form is estimated to generate 9.5 million annual responses and 3,135,000 burden hours. The Department removed the SAVE Plan following court injunctions on prior regulatory provisions.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Department of Defense Renews Army Education Advisory Committee (AEAC)

The Department of Defense renewed the Army Education Advisory Committee (AEAC), which provides independent advice on Army educational policies for CGSC, DLIFLC, USAWC, and the Army Historical Program. The committee oversees compliance with civilian accreditation standards, curriculum alignment with national security priorities, and reviews academic and operational readiness functions. AEAC consists of up to 15 members, operates with an annual budget of $393,721, and maintains subcommittees focused on education and history.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Charter Renewal for President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

The Department of Education renewed the charter for the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities for two years through April 2028. The Board advises on strategies to strengthen the educational capacity, fiscal security, and institutional infrastructure of HBCUs. The annual operating budget is projected at $60,500, and Board members include HBCU presidents, education, business, philanthropy, science, and technology leaders. The Board will continue to produce an Annual Federal Plan for Assistance and advise on topics related to AI integration and online learning.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Veterans Affairs Launches VET TEC 2.0 Employment and Education Certification

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the implementation of the Veterans Employment Through High Technology Education Courses (VET TEC 2.0) Employment or Further Educational Pursuit Certification. Enabled by the Elizabeth Dole Field and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act, the program provides educational assistance for high-tech instruction to eligible veterans and service members under age 62. It requires certification of employment or further education in the relevant field within 180 days of program completion and periodic verification to release final payments to training providers. The program facilitates annual Congressional reporting and expects an estimated 4,000 respondents for this collection.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act

Bill 9611, titled Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act, was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce for consideration. The bill proposes reforms aimed at reducing administrative burden within higher education institutions.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Less Bureaucracy, Better International Education Oversight Act

Bill 9603, Less Bureaucracy, Better International Education Oversight Act, has been referred to both the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The legislation addresses federal oversight pertaining to international education programs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Less Bureaucracy, Better Student Aid Act

Bill 9609, Less Bureaucracy, Better Student Aid Act, is under consideration by the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The proposal concerns federal student aid processes.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To Amend Higher Education Act of 1965 Regarding TEACH Grants

Bill 9628 proposes amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 focusing on the use and administration of TEACH grants. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Less Bureaucracy, Better Child Care for Student Parents Act

Bill 9606, Less Bureaucracy, Better Child Care for Student Parents Act, was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. The act targets child care provisions for student parents in higher education.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• She Studied Ways to Make People Smarter. Then Her Grant Was Cut.: A neuroscience research initiative lost funding amid agency changes.
• Opinion | What happens when government writes grad students a blank check: An opinion piece discusses effects of government-provided unlimited graduate student loans.
• The Revenge of the Philosophy Majors: Philosophy majors are increasingly securing roles in AI-focused sectors.
• From curiosity to cornerstone - how batteries went mainstream: Batteries have transitioned from laboratory curiosities to mainstays of modern technology.
• California colleges reveal their military weapons stockade after CalMatters investigation: California colleges disclosed their military-grade inventories following a public records probe.
• A Proposed Rule Would Politicize Medical Research. Scientists Are Not Happy.: Scientists raise concerns about a proposed rule that may affect medical research grants.

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