NACUBO On Your Side: August 15–September 5, 2023
9/05/2023
As things move quickly in Washington, DC, NACUBO is your constant advocate in action. NACUBO On Your Side covers important legislative and agency activity NACUBO staff are tracking, what we’re currently advocating for, and how you can take action with us.
Here are the issues we are tracking and advocating for this week.
Agency Action
ED Publishes Top 10 Audit and Program Review Findings
The Department of Education recently shared its annual lists of its top 10 audit and top 10 school program review findings for FY22. ED publishes the lists to increase awareness of the types of compliance deficiencies the Office of Federal Student Aid finds so schools can take proactive measures to prevent similar deficiencies from occurring at their campuses.
FAFSA Simplification Webinar Recordings Available from ED
The Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid hosted several webinars this summer focused on FAFSA simplification efforts, including on the Student Aid Index, professional judgement, protecting federal tax information, and more. Recordings, slides, and transcripts are now available.
Research
RAND Publishes Report on Income-Share Agreements
Income-share agreements, where a student receives money upfront for their education in exchange for a percentage of their future income over a specified timeframe, are the focus of a recent report by RAND Corporation. The report examined the market for ISAs, finding that public awareness is low, and makes recommendations for policymakers and higher education institutions.
Advocacy
NACUBO Writes to Supreme Court in Support of Build America Bonds
In an amicus brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, NACUBO and 10 other organizations wrote in support of utility providers suing the federal government to prevent it from reneging on commitments under the Build America Bonds (BABs) program. The case, Indiana Municipal Power Agency v. United States, requests that the government make good on Congress’ obligation to refund 35 percent of the interest payments on the bonds.
Take Action
Call On Congress to Fund Student Aid Programs
Following proposed legislation that would eliminate the Federal Work-Study and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants programs and dramatically decrease funding for ED, the Student Aid Alliance has created a tool to help you contact your legislators. Use this tool to tell Congress to #SaveStudentAid.
