Easier forms for splitting joint student loans
Published Date: 4/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Education wants your thoughts on updating the Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Application, which helps people split their combined student loans. If you’re affected by these loans, this change could make the process clearer and easier. You’ve got until June 8, 2026, to share your feedback—no cost involved, just your voice!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Joint Loan Separation Form Update
If you have joint consolidated federal student loans, the Department of Education is proposing to revise the Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Application to align with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 4, 2025). The changes apply to Direct Loans (including consolidation loans) received on or after July 1, 2026 and may make the separation process clearer and easier.
Application Paperwork Burden
The Department estimates 74,000 annual responses to the Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Application and a total annual burden of 24,050 hours for respondents. That total implies about 0.325 hours (about 19–20 minutes) of paperwork per response on average.
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: 2026-06887, Texas Eastern Transmission, LP; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Line 31 Expansion Project
Texas Eastern Transmission wants to expand their pipeline to carry more natural gas—up to 125,000 dekatherms daily! The government is reviewing the environmental impact and plans to share their findings by June 15, 2026. If all goes well, final approvals should be wrapped up by September 13, 2026, affecting local communities and energy customers with potential changes in gas flow and infrastructure.
Next: 2026-06889, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Native American Language (NAL@ED) Application Package (1894-0001)
The Department of Education is asking to keep collecting info for the Native American Language program without changing the current forms. This affects state, local, and tribal governments who apply for funding to support Native languages. You’ve got until May 11, 2026, to share your thoughts, and the paperwork won’t cost extra or take more time than before.