The Government Accountability Office says the Education Department implemented only one of eight priority recommendations identified in 2025, while three more concerns were added in June 2026.
Federal student-loan borrowers who enroll in autopay by Sept. 30, 2026, or were already enrolled, can receive a 1% interest-rate reduction through June 30, 2028.
Eligible federal student-loan borrowers enrolled in automatic payments can receive a temporary 1% interest-rate reduction beginning July 1, 2026. The enrollment deadline is Sept. 30.
Federal student-loan borrowers and prospective students face new repayment choices, revised borrowing limits and a new pathway for short-term workforce programs to qualify for Pell grants.
The Education Department has finalized rules allowing eligible students to use Pell Grants for qualifying workforce programs as short as eight weeks, with implementation beginning July 1, 2026.
A new federal program allows eligible students to use Pell Grants for qualifying workforce programs as short as eight weeks, including for some people who already hold bachelor’s degrees.
The Education Department has begun a one-time review of previously submitted 2026–27 FAFSA forms as part of a nationwide effort to prevent fraud in federal student aid.
New repayment options for federal student-loan borrowers and a pathway for short-term workforce programs to seek Pell Grant eligibility began July 1, 2026.
The Repayment Assistance Plan and Tiered Standard Plan are now available, while more than 7.5 million former SAVE borrowers must move to another legal repayment option.
A three-phase Education-Treasury agreement targets defaulted-loan collections first, while staffing cuts and new repayment rules raise accountability questions.
Federal Student Aid explains mobile identity checks, fraud-related codes and how admitted or enrolled students can resolve a FAFSA rejection.
AP reports a surge of federal student-loan borrowers entering default after pandemic protections ended. Here’s what “default” means for budgets.
Education delayed a Section 117 foreign-disclosure rollout: July 15 lists 92 foreign entities, and July 31 submissions are due under Federal Student Aid’s timetable.
July 1, 2026 is the date for new federal student-loan repayment plans—and a temporary 1% autopay interest-rate cut for eligible borrowers.
