Education fines hiked to battle inflation creep
Published Date: 1/21/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting January 21, 2025, the Department of Education is raising its civil fines to keep up with inflation. This means anyone facing penalties for violations after November 2, 2015, will see updated, higher amounts to keep the fines fair and effective. These changes help make sure penalties stay strong enough to discourage bad behavior.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 8 costs, 0 mixed.
New CMPs Effective January 21, 2025
If you or your organization face a civil monetary penalty, the Department of Education raised penalty amounts effective January 21, 2025. The adjusted penalties apply only to penalties assessed after January 21, 2025 for violations that occurred after November 2, 2015.
IHE Cost-Information Fine Raised
If you run an institution of higher education, the fine for failing to provide cost-of-education information was increased to $48,119. This adjusted amount is effective for penalties assessed after January 21, 2025.
IHE Teacher-Prep Disclosure Fine Up
If your institution fails to provide information about teacher-preparation programs, the fine was increased to $40,080. The new amount applies to penalties assessed after January 21, 2025.
Lender/Guaranty Agency Title IV Fines Increased
If you are a lender or guaranty agency that violates Title IV rules, the civil penalty was increased to $71,545. This adjusted amount applies to penalties assessed after January 21, 2025.
IHE Title IV Violation Penalty Raised
If your institution violates Title IV requirements, the civil penalty was increased to $71,545. The increase is effective for penalties assessed after January 21, 2025.
Educational Org. Minor-Disclosure Fine Raised
If your educational organization fails to disclose certain information to minor students and their parents, the fine was increased to $2,111. This new amount applies to penalties assessed after January 21, 2025.
Grantees' Improper Lobbying Penalties Raised
If your organization improperly lobbies regarding government grants or contracts, the civil penalty range was raised to $25,132 to $251,322. These adjusted amounts apply to penalties assessed after January 21, 2025.
False Claims Penalty Increased
If you make false claims or statements to the Government, the civil penalty was increased to $14,308. The new amount applies to penalties assessed after January 21, 2025.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17239, Education Department General Administrative Regulations
The Secretary of Education proposes to amend the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) and other provisions in 2 CFR parts 3474 and 3485 to update the regulations and better align them with other U.S. Department of Education (Department) regulations and procedures, and to include technical updates from the Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024. The Department intends to finalize these regulations in late 2026.
2026-17001, Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization: The Secretary's Recognition of Accrediting Agencies: Institutional Eligibility Under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended, Student Assistance General Provisions
The Department proposes to revise the existing accrediting agency recognition regulations at 34 CFR part 602 to implement the directives set forth in Executive Order 14279, Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education, and other Administration priorities, align the regulations more closely with statute, and reduce regulatory burden.
2026-15019, Rescinding Portions of the Department of Education Title VI Regulations To Align With the Statutory Text and Conform to Executive Order 14281
The Department of Education is changing its rules to stop punishing unintentional discrimination under Title VI, focusing only on intentional discrimination instead. This update, effective July 24, 2026, will make things clearer, cut costs for schools and organizations getting federal money, and follow a new executive order about fairness and opportunity. If you receive federal funds, these changes affect how you follow civil rights rules.
2026-13286, Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand- Driven Workforce Pell: Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability
Starting July 1, 2027, colleges must prove their programs help students earn enough money to keep getting federal student loans. This new rule affects schools offering Direct Loans and aims to stop loans for programs where graduates don’t make enough. Some parts kick in earlier on August 31, 2026, so schools better get ready to show they’re helping students succeed in the workforce!
2026-10013, Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell: Pell Grant Exclusion Relating to Other Grant Aid; and Workforce Pell Grants
Starting July 20, 2026, students and schools will see new rules for Pell Grants thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Now, some other grants won’t count against Pell Grant eligibility, and a new Workforce Pell Grant will help students in short, job-focused programs get financial aid. This means more chances for students to get money for education that leads straight to good jobs!
2026-08556, Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations
Starting July 1, 2026, new rules will change how federal student loans work for grad students, parents, and professionals. The Grad PLUS loan is being phased out, and repayment plans are getting simpler with a fresh new income-driven option. Plus, folks who’ve defaulted before get a second chance to fix their loans and get back on track.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-01409, Processes and Procedures for Issuance and Use of Guidance Documents
The Department of Justice has finalized a rule that removes old limits on how it uses guidance documents in legal cases, following President Biden’s order to bring back flexibility in regulation. This change affects anyone involved with DOJ enforcement and takes effect January 17, 2025. No new costs or fees are introduced, just a clearer, more flexible way for the DOJ to share and use guidance.
Next: 2025-01422, Ratification of Security Directives
The Department of Homeland Security just confirmed that important security rules for critical rail companies are extended for another year with some updates. These changes help rail operators stay safer from growing cyber threats and keep their systems strong. The new rules took effect in late 2023 and mid-2024, so rail owners need to keep up or face risks.