Federal Relations Update

Presented by:

Federal Budget Update• Sequestration

– Science Research Funding

– Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, federal work-study, TRIO, GEAR UP

– U.S. Education Dept. Guidance

– Military Tuition Assistance Program

• FY 2013 Continuing Resolution– Tuition Assistance amendment

– Sen. Coburn’s amendment to limit poli sci funding

Federal Budget Update• FY 2014 Budget Plans

– House budget plan: freezes maximum Pell grant, consolidates federal job-training programs, tightens eligibility for federal student aid.

– Senate budget plan: prioritizes Pell Grant funding, rolls back the increased loan origination fees, expands access to Income-Based Repayment program.

• President Obama’s FY 2014 Blueprint• Continuing Resolution on the Horizon

In the Courts

• Supreme Court Rules on Fisher Case• Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

– Same sex couples file joint tax returns

– Children of same sex couples list both parents on FAFSA

• More Affirmative Action in the Courts– Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action

Legislative Developments• Student Loan Interest Rates (S 1334)

– Shifts from a fixed interest rate to variable, market-based rates pegged to the 10-year Treasury note

• Supporting Academic Freedom Through Regulatory Relief Act (HR 2637)– Repeals the gainful employment, state authorization,

and federal credit hour rules

• Border Security Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act (S 744)

Legislative Developments• “Know Before You Owe” Private Student Loan

Act (S 113)• Fairness for Struggling Students Act (S 114)• Students First Act (S 406)• Protecting Financial Aid for Students and

Taxpayers Act (S 528 and HR 340)• Student Loan Fairness Act (HR)• Smarter Borrowing Act (S 546)

Legislative Developments• Student Right to “Know Before You Go” Act

– Federal unit-record data system

– National Student Clearinghouse

– State longitudinal data systems

– Status quo

• Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act– Campus SaVE Act provision

• Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Act

Military Students and Veterans• VA secures GI Bill trademark• Executive Order 13607 – Principles of Excellence

– Student Complaint Form

• DoD MOU for TA program– Effects of sequestration

– Spring/Summer 2013 agreement

– Incorporation of POE

– Financial Aid Shopping Sheet

Issues to Watch• Higher Education Act Reauthorization

– Program integrity

• Federal definition of credit hour

• State authorization for distance education programs

• “Gainful Employment” metrics

– Accreditation and the role of the “triad”

– Pell grant eligibility and funding

– Higher education tax credits

Issues to Watch• Education Department Rulemaking

– First round: Gainful Employment

• Pell Grant program “shortfall”• Transparency and College Costs

– College Scorecard

AACRAO Advocacy• AACRAO Public Policy Advisory Committee• AACRAO Advocacy Group

– Join listserv at http://subscribe.aacrao.org/advocacy/

• Public Affairs Task Force– NACAC, NASFAA, NASPA

• Higher Education Compliance Alliance– FERPA, Voter Registration