Ed Dept Seeks Comments on Same-Old Student Aid Forms
Published Date: 1/13/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Education wants to keep collecting info about state authorization without changing anything. This affects schools and states involved in federal student aid, and they’re asking for your thoughts by March 16, 2026. No new costs or big changes—just making sure the paperwork stays smooth and useful!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
State Authorization Collection Continues
If you run a school or work for a state agency involved with federal student aid, you must keep collecting information that shows which State a distance-education or correspondence student is located in, as required by Sec. 600.9(c)(2)(i). The Department of Education is extending this information collection without change and is seeking comments by March 16, 2026.
Listed Paperwork Burden and Responses
The notice reports OMB Control Number 1845-0144 and estimates 5,428 annual responses and 2,714 total annual burden hours for the State Authorization information collection. These totals apply to the private sector and State, local, and Tribal governments listed as respondents.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-15665 — William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program
The government wants to change the rules for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to stop people working for shady employers from getting loan forgiveness. This means if your job is with an organization involved in serious illegal activities, you won’t qualify for loan help anymore. These changes protect taxpayers and make sure the program is fair, coming soon to keep things on the up and up.
2026-10347 — Final Priority and Definitions-Secretary's Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Promoting Patriotic Education
Starting June 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education is adding a new priority to support patriotic education in its grant programs. Schools and organizations applying for education grants can now include this focus, alongside other priorities like literacy and AI. This change helps guide where federal education money goes, encouraging programs that promote pride and knowledge about our country.
2026-10115 — Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
The Department of Education is renewing a program that shares info with the Department of Veterans Affairs to double-check if financial aid applicants really are veterans. This helps make sure only eligible students get aid, starting around late June 2026 and lasting 18 months. If all goes well, the program might extend for another year, with public comments open until June 22, 2026.
2026-10100 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; ED-524 Budget Information Non-Construction Programs Form and Instructions
The Department of Education wants to keep using its ED-524 Budget Information form for non-construction programs without any changes. Schools and organizations that fill out this form should know they can comment on this plan until July 20, 2026. This extension won’t cost extra or change how the form works, but your feedback can help keep things smooth and simple!
2026-10058 — Notice Announcing National Professional Development Program Competition
The Department of Labor and Education are teaming up to offer up to $1 million a year in grants for colleges and education groups to help teachers get better at teaching English learners. If you’re part of a school or group that trains teachers, you can apply by July 14, 2026. This program focuses on improving teaching skills, using proven literacy methods, and boosting student success.
2026-09983 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Federal Perkins Loan Program Regulations and General Provisions Regulations
The Department of Education is asking to keep collecting info for the Federal Perkins Loan Program without changing the current forms or rules. This affects students, schools, and government groups who deal with these loans. You’ve got until June 18, 2026, to share your thoughts, but no new costs or big changes are coming—just a smooth continuation!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-00488 — New Postal Products
The Postal Regulatory Commission is reviewing a new deal the Postal Service wants to add or change in its competitive product lineup. This affects businesses and customers who use special postal services, with public comments due by January 16, 2026. No price changes are announced yet, but this move could shake up how some postal products work soon.
Next: 2026-00491 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension: Form F-4-Registration Statement
The SEC is asking for comments on extending Form F-4, which foreign companies use to register securities during big business moves like mergers. About 60 companies file this form yearly, spending lots of time and money—over 21,000 hours and nearly $39 million in professional fees. The SEC wants to make sure this process stays useful and not too burdensome, so they’re inviting feedback now.