Treasury Sanctions Someone But Won't Say Who Or Why
Published Date: 12/11/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Education wants your ideas to update the Accreditation Handbook, which helps guide how schools get officially recognized. These updates aim to make the process clearer, faster, and easier for everyone involved. If you’re part of an accrediting agency or interested in education rules, send your feedback by January 26, 2026—no cost to comment, just your smart thoughts!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Planned Handbook Update to Reduce Burdens
The Department intends to update the Accreditation Handbook to make the accrediting-agency recognition process "transparent, efficient, and not unduly burdensome," as directed by Executive Order 14279 (April 23, 2025). The RFI invites specific feedback and language suggestions and may inform potential reforms to the accreditation regulatory process.
Resumption of New Accreditor Applications
The Department of Education lifted the temporary pause and resumed accepting and reviewing new applications for initial recognition from new accrediting agencies and associations on May 2, 2025. This explicitly reopens the Department's recognition process to new accreditors starting on that date.
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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: 2025-22554, Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC just blocked the property of Mateo Andres Duque Botero and Monica Munoz Ucros, linking them to a company tied to destabilizing Sudan. From December 9, 2025, Americans can’t do business with them, freezing their assets under U.S. law. This move aims to stop bad actors and protect global peace, so watch out for updates if you’re involved!
Next: 2025-22556, Notice of Availability of Record of Decision for the Hawaii-California Training and Testing Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement
The Coast Guard has decided to move forward with their training and testing activities between Hawaii and California, following a careful environmental review. This plan balances real-life training with safe, synthetic options and will affect military schedules and local environments starting now. No big cost changes were mentioned, but the decision keeps training steady and smart.