U.S. Department of Education Releases Key Higher Education Guidance on Student Aid, Reporting, and Loan Limits

The U.S. Department of Education has issued new guidance for higher education institutions, including a transition framework for Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) reporting to the new Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS), with a January 15, 2027, deadline for correcting past data. Additionally, formal guidance was released on new Schedule of Reductions requirements for Direct Loan borrowers enrolled less than full-time, effective for the 2026–27 award year. A federal court order also temporarily expanded the list of academic programs classified as professional degree programs for federal student loan purposes, impacting loan eligibility and borrowing limits.