Education Department Axes Old International Rules
Published Date: 7/1/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Education wants to cancel the current rules for International Education and Fulbright-Hays programs to stay flexible and better match today’s education and workforce needs. This change affects schools and organizations involved in these programs and aims to help the Department update priorities without being tied down by old regulations. People have until July 31, 2026, to share their thoughts before the change happens.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Rescind Title VI and Fulbright-Hays Rules
The Department of Education proposes to rescind the International Education (34 CFR parts 655, 656, 657, 658, 660, 661, and 669) and Fulbright-Hays (34 CFR parts 662, 663, and 664) regulations so ED can exercise broader discretion to implement these programs and align them with current priorities such as workforce readiness and national competitiveness.
Selection Criteria Moved to EDGAR
ED proposes removing prescriptive program-specific selection criteria (for example, 34 CFR 655.31) and aligning competitions with the Department’s general selection criteria found in 34 CFR 75.210 (EDGAR), which ED says will reduce burden on applicants and peer reviewers.
Department May Use Non-Grant Delivery Vehicles
The Department states that rescinding the regulations would allow it to pursue non-grant delivery options (such as contracts and subgrants), which could eliminate grant-specific costs like peer review and grantees' indirect costs.
Small Increase in Applications; Minimal Costs
ED expects a small increase in annual applications to Title VI and Fulbright-Hays competitions because of added flexibility; any additional costs would likely be minimal (for example, securing extra application readers) and paid from program funds, and ED expects no additional costs to grant recipients.
Small Entities Unlikely To Be Significantly Impacted
The Department certifies under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that rescinding these regulations would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; it notes that entities qualifying as small (e.g., some nonprofits or community colleges) made up less than 5 percent of FY 2024 grant recipients.
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Key Dates
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