October 18, 2026 to October 24, 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

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Department of Education Outlines FAFSA Verification Requirements for 2027–2028 Award Year

The Department of Education published the verification requirements for the 2027–2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) cycle. The Office of Postsecondary Education’s notice details which applicant information may require verification, including adjusted gross income, family size, and identity, and identifies acceptable documentation in each case. The guidance reflects changes mandated under the FUTURE Act, with most tax information sourced directly from the IRS and not requiring additional verification unless entered manually. Instructions include procedures for applicants with unique situations such as amended tax returns, filing extensions, or identity theft. The notice also provides verification flags and tracking groups that designate which FAFSA elements institutions must review. Institutions are directed to Department resources for operational requirements and program authority stems from relevant provisions in the Higher Education Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NSF Details New Customer Experience Data Collection Procedures

The National Science Foundation submitted for OMB clearance a data collection to support government-wide customer experience initiatives as required under OMB Circular A-11, Section 280. The collection, estimated at 2 million annual responses and 101,125 burden hours, is intended to inform agency leadership on program delivery through voluntary feedback, user testing, surveys, and interviews. No personally identifiable information will be retained, and the results may be displayed on performance.gov for transparency and accountability. This marks the second notice period for public comment; no comments were received during the first period.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

VA Pilots Graduate Medical Education Expansion

The Veterans Health Administration announced it will continue the Pilot Program on Graduate Medical Education and Residency (PPGMER), collecting data from sponsoring institutions and placed residents in facilities such as Indian Health Service and Federally Qualified Health Centers. Reporting includes patient encounters and consolidated data, supporting VA’s annual report to Congress as mandated by the MISSION Act of 2018. The pilot program is set to run until at least August 2031, with data collection and reporting processes determined by individual program sponsors.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Executive Order Creates NIH Women’s Health Division and White House Task Force

President Trump issued an executive order creating a Women’s Health Division within the National Institutes of Health and establishing a White House Task Force on Women’s Health, co-chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the President’s Chief of Staff. The order directs an increased federal focus on research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical translation relating to diseases and conditions with significant impact on women. The task force is tasked with coordinating policy and accelerating the application of new research, while previous executive actions in this area are revoked.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

NSF Seeks Comment on Engines Program Reporting Requirements

NSF is proposing updated information collection for the Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) Program. Under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, these multi-year awards require grantees to submit Quarterly Reports, a semiannual Engines Report Template (ERT), a Strategic and Implementation Plan (SIP), and a Strategic Growth Plan (SGP). Reports cover personnel, research activities, workforce training, and risk assessments. The information will be used to monitor program progress, compliance, and long-term sustainability. NSF estimates the burden for new NSF Engines to range between 175–350 hours over three years.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• ‘A Golden Age of Science’ Brought to You by the White House: An opinion piece on recent federal science policy initiatives and administration priorities.
• Why CEOs Go Back to School After Making It to the Top: The Wall Street Journal reports on senior executives returning to higher education for professional development.
• Opinion | I Teach at a Business School. It’s Time to Shut Them Down.: A professor calls for a rethinking of the value and future of business schools.
• Opinion | What Are the Best Ways to Fix Schools?: The New York Times gathers expert views on approaches to education reform.
• Education: Ongoing coverage and feature articles from The New York Times education section.

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