U.S. Department of Education Seeks Nominations for Student Loan Rulemaking Committee

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education announced plans to form a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee, titled the Student Loans and Affordability Committee, to develop proposed regulations for federal student aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. The initiative follows two public hearings and a comment period where stakeholders provided feedback on improving higher education regulations.

"The negotiated rulemaking process that we are announcing today will allow key stakeholders to help improve federal student aid programs, including the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, so they work for students, families, and taxpayers," said Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron. "We look forward to receiving nominations for negotiators as we begin this process to right size higher education."

The committee will focus on refining the definition of qualifying employers for Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility and revisiting aspects of the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan, including family size and repayment plan structures. The July 2023 rule establishing the plan is currently enjoined.

Nominations for negotiators are due by June 1, 2025. The Department plans to hold a session from June 30 to July 2, with proposed and final rules expected later in 2025. Additional committees addressing other higher education topics will be announced throughout the administration.

Under Section 492 of the Higher Education Act, the Secretary must engage the public before publishing proposed regulations for Title IV programs. The Department held public hearings on April 29 and May 1, following an April 4 announcement to address topics like Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Pay As You Earn, and Income-Contingent Repayment.

To nominate a negotiator, email negregnominations@ed.gov. For more details, visit the Department's Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education 2025-2026 page.