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NASSGAP Federal Relations Update Fall Conference October 26-29, 2014. Developments in DC. No Government Shutdown This Year - Yet HEA Reauthorization – Much Talk, Many Proposals, Some Consensus, Nothing Enacted Other Initiatives and Proposals
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NASSGAP Federal Relations Update Fall Conference October 26-29, 2014
Developments in DC • No Government Shutdown This Year - Yet • HEA Reauthorization – Much Talk, Many Proposals, Some Consensus, Nothing Enacted • Other Initiatives and Proposals • FFY15 Budget – Continuing Resolution Through 12/11/14, Then ???
FFY 2015 Budget Update • (Almost) Level Funded through 12/11/14 • Most discretionary programs subject to 0.0554% across the board cut – including SEOG and Work-Study • No funding for College Access Challenge Grants (mandatory funding ended with FFY2014); no new funding for any proposed federal-state matching program (more later)
Higher Education Act Reauthorization • Chairman Harkin’s 785 page discussion draft • Ranking Member Alexander’s postcard FAFSA • House Education & Workforce Committee’s piecemeal approach • Consensus on prior-prior, improved loan counseling, and year-round Pell?
Reauthorization Next Steps • Harkin Bill in Lame Duck? • Attach “Mini-Reauthorization” to Must Pass Legislation? • Prior-prior and FAFSA simplification • Loan counseling • Year-round Pell • Committee Leadership in Next Congress
NASSGAP on Reauthorization • Federal-State Partnerships • Serving “At-Risk” Students • Helping Students Make Financially Literate Decisions Paying for College • Ensure Students and Families Know of State Aid Resources • Modernize Student Communications • FAFSA Simplification
White House Higher Education Initiatives • Paying for Performance • Rating Colleges Prior to 2015-16 AY • Ratings -> Race to the Top for Higher Education • Challenge States to Fund Public Colleges on Performance • Hold Students and Colleges Accountable for Making Progress Towards a Degree • Reach Higher – FAFSA Completion • Ensuring Affordable Student Debt
Other Higher Education Proposals • Senator Warren’s student loan refinance proposal • Federal-state partnership proposals • President’s Budget - SHEP Fund • Senator Reed’s PASS Act • Chairman Harkin’s SFCAP • Rulemaking • Debit cards/cash management • PLUS loans • Gainful employment (and 90/10) • Rates on all FDLP loans increase 0.8% for 2014-15 academic year; if rates reset today, a small decline
FFY 2015 Budget – Next Steps • Lame duck session of Congress likely to extend CR into March (if control of Senate flips) or through 9/30/2015 • Potentially sequester impact through FFY15 – would take effect early next year • In lame duck or next Congress, Education, along with Labor and Health, very unlikely to see appropriations bill; would be part of Omnibus • What if Republicans win control of the Senate in November (or December or January)?
Grand Finale! • Election results likely to drive what happens in lame duck session • “Must Pass” legislation includes CR extension and tax extenders, other usual suspects • Foreign events (ISIS, Ukraine) could disrupt schedule • Questions?