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Reposted by Hugh Thomas

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · 8d

‘This Is a Whole New Territory:’ Neg Reg Committee Makes Progress on Definition of Professional Student.

Read NASFAA's recap of the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee's third day of negotiated rulemaking: https://ow.ly/bjO450X5E2g

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Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · 7d

Additional resources/coverage available in the show notes www.nasfaa.org/off_the_cuff...

AskRegs Experts: Shutdown Interruptions and an Update on FWS Guidance

Hugh and David discuss how a lapse in appropriations for FY 26 is impacting ED services and programs.

www.nasfaa.org

Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · 7d

NegReg goes on but lots of other services are on pause. This week @nasfaa.bsky.social focused on the initial fallout a lapse in appropriations for FY 26 is having on @usedgov.bsky.social

OTC AskRegs Experts: Shutdown Interruptions and an Update on FWS Guidance

Podcast Episode · NASFAA's Off the Cuff Podcast · 10/02/2025 · 26m

podcasts.apple.com

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Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · 8d

TBD on what impact an extended shutdown could have on the significant backlog of pending income-driven repayment (IDR) applications and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Buyback program.

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · 8d

FSA Details Shutdown's ‘Minimal’ Impact on Operations

Federal Student Aid (FSA) issued an electronic announcement with guidance for their operations during the government shutdown: https://ow.ly/YrfQ50X5hUj

Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · 8d

inject this into my sweater covered veins!!!

Capital Weather Gang @capitalweather.bsky.social · 8d

🧥🍂 SWEATER WEATHER ALERT!
Coolest morning of fall so far — temps dipped into the 40s 🌡️
Did you love it or miss summer already? 🤔☀️
👉 Full forecast: cwg.live

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Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · 10d

Here's a recap of the RISE committee's first day with ED, clarifying that they intend to implement a final rule by July 1, 2026. www.nasfaa.org/news-item/37...

NASFAA | Chasing a July 1 Implementation Date, ED Kicks Off First Day of RISE Neg Reg

www.nasfaa.org

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Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · 10d

Looks like NegReg will continue in person in the event of a shutdown.

More details on ED's contingency plan in case of a shutdown: www.nasfaa.org/news-item/37...

NASFAA | ED Details Contingency Planning In Case of a Government Shutdown

www.nasfaa.org

Reposted by Hugh Thomas

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · 14d

The recently released Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) negotiated rulemaking issue papers reveal the Department of Education's plans for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act #StudentLoan provisions while leaving some questions unanswered: https://ow.ly/BBKq50X2S2T

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Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · 15d

This NegReg session will kick off on Monday Sept. 29, tbd on how a possible mid-week government shutdown could impact the schedule

Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · 15d

RISE Commitee issue papers, focusing on changes to the federal student loan program, are live: www.ed.gov/laws-and-pol...

Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education 2025

This page provides information on the 2025 negotiated rulemaking activities for higher education.

www.ed.gov

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Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · 15d

RISE Commitee issue papers, focusing on changes to the federal student loan program, are live: www.ed.gov/laws-and-pol...

Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education 2025

This page provides information on the 2025 negotiated rulemaking activities for higher education.

www.ed.gov

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Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · 16d

here’s a graphic from the launch press release with a lever labeled “Biden, Beta, FAFSA, Live”

ED secretary McMahon and department officials celebrating the FAFSA launch with confetti

Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · 16d

According to ED the 2026-27 FAFSA is officially live: www.ed.gov/about/news/p...

U.S. Department of Education Announces Earliest FAFSA Form Launch in Program History

Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced that the 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is online and available, marking the earliest launch in the program’s history.

www.ed.gov

Reposted by Hugh Thomas

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · 22d

In the next step of expanding the beta testing process, Federal Student Aid on Wednesday announced that all students and their contributors can now submit a 2026-27 #FAFSA. Learn more: ow.ly/giPZ50WYOmE

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Reposted by Hugh Thomas

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · 29d

The Office of Federal Student Aid is at risk of the FAFSA Processing System (FPS) not functioning as intended in future releases, which could lead to delays in students receiving #FinancialAid, a new study from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found: ow.ly/wJaC50WVgK6

GAO: The FAFSA Processing System Is at Risk of Not Functioning as Intended. NASFAA's article summarizes: GAO’s key findings, including that nine of the 25 contractual requirements for the FPS have not yet been deployed and FSA could not provide a current status for those requirements. GAO’s six recommendations for the Department of Education. The Department of Education’s responses to GAO’s findings and recommendations.

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Reposted by Hugh Thomas

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · 24d

The Department of Education has begun to make headway addressing its backlog of pending income-driven repayment applications. Still, the backlog of applications for its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Buyback program has increased.

Learn more: ow.ly/nvYC50WXGCs

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Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · Sep 7

this year I got lucky with the practice court schedule youtu.be/BcwXO1UxJ2o?...

U.S. Open Tennis 2025

YouTube video by Hugh Thomas

youtu.be

Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · Sep 6

and the check presentation continues to be so awkward when the players main focus is to lift that trophy!

Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · Sep 6

super competitive match but what was with that trophy presentation?

the players hardly had the opportunity to thank who they wanted to thank!

The New York Times @nytimes.com · Sep 6

Breaking News from @theathletic.com: Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, defeated the American Amanda Anisimova to defend her U.S. Open singles title.

U.S. Open final: Aryna Sabalenka beats Amanda Anisimova to retain title

Sabalenka won her fourth major title by beating Anisimova in straight sets.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Hugh Thomas

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · Sep 3

As the deadline for Congress to fund the federal government approaches at the end of the month, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Monday released its appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026. Learn more about the potential impact on #HigherEd: ow.ly/YACz50WQuPp

House FY 2026 Budget Proposal Flat Funds Pell Grants and Student Aid Administration, Eliminates FSEOG

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Hugh Thomas @hughtferguson.com · Aug 26

Scenes from Day 1 at the 2025 U.S Open feat. Venus Williams, Sabalenka, Sinner and (pre-buzz cut) Alcaraz

Venus Williams in a service motion preparing to hit a tossed tennis ball.

Motion blur photo of Sabalenka on the practice courts.

Sinner and Alcaraz walking towards their respective practice courts.

Reposted by Hugh Thomas

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · Aug 21

In the 4th installment of a court-ordered status report, the Department of Education shows a slight 📉 decrease in its backlog of pending income-driven repayment applications; however, applications for its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Buyback program have 📈 increased: ow.ly/hxYy50WJwtX

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Reposted by Hugh Thomas

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · Aug 20

📈 More institutions across the country are reporting noticeable changes in Federal Student Aid responsiveness, communication, and processing timelines after mass layoffs at the Department of Education, a new survey from NASFAA found.

📊 Learn more: ow.ly/Cq6z50WJ07V

72% of 547 institutions reported noticeable delays or changes in FSA responsiveness since May 1, compared to before the March RIF

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Reposted by Hugh Thomas

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · Aug 20

The @usedgov.bsky.social has updated its interpretation of the allowable use for Federal Work-Study funds and provided a reminder of the Higher Education Act’s requirements concerning an institution's distribution of voter registration information.

Learn more: ow.ly/Yfpl50WIQGO

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Reposted by Hugh Thomas

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · Aug 7

Earlier this week, the Department of Education began the beta testing process for the 2026-27 #FAFSA, according to an official at the department. Here's what you need to know: ow.ly/HrBh50WBksZ

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Reposted by Hugh Thomas

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators @nasfaa.bsky.social · Aug 1

Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the fiscal year 2026 education budget bill that flat-funds #PellGrant and other #StudentAid programs. NASFAA summarized what financial aid offices need to know about the bill and what happens next: ow.ly/XURK50WyBtO

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