States Keep Filing Student-Aid Eligibility Reports, and OMB Wants Feedback
Published Date: 10/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Education is keeping the current rules for how states help people without high school diplomas qualify for federal student aid. This means no changes, but they want your feedback by November 23, 2026. State and local governments will keep reporting as usual, with about 3,200 hours of work yearly, so no new costs or surprises.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
State Ability-to-Benefit Rule Stays Same
The Department is extending without change the Approved State Ability to Benefit (ATB) process, so individuals who do not have a high school diploma can continue to use a State ATB process to become eligible for Title IV federal student aid under § 668.156. The agency is asking for public comments by November 23, 2026, but is not changing the current rules now.
State/Local Reporting Burden Continues
State, local, and tribal governments will continue to respond under the existing Approved State ATB information collection, with an estimated 10 annual responses and a total of 3,200 annual burden hours. The Department is requesting an extension without change to OMB Control Number 1845-0176.
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