UW Publishes 2021 Federal Agenda

Posted on February 23, 2021

The University of Washington has published our 2021 Federal Agenda outlining our top priorities for the coming year. Our agenda reflects a commitment to service, excellence, and innovation, taking into account the unique challenges of the past year.

We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the federal government and look forward to further collaboration in 2021.

Veterans Package Passes Both Chambers

Posted on December 16, 2020

The Senate and House have now both passed the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (H.R.7105). The legislation provides assistance to veterans during the COVID-19 crisis and also includes provisions from the Protect GI Bill making certain changes to education benefits. Specifically, a new dual certification process, risk-based surveys, and monthly reporting for schools would be implemented. Although changes would aim to reduce overpayment risks, colleges would assume liability for such overpayments. Public colleges would also have to provide in-state tuition rates to all GI Bill students.

Now the bill will go to President Trump to be signed into law.

The full text of the bill is available here.

Senate Hearing on FAFSA Simplification

Posted on September 10, 2020

The US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) will hold a hearing on simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Witnesses are from the National College Attainment Network, University of North Carolina, HCM Strategies, Harvard University, and Columbia University.

Title: Time to Finish Fixing the FAFSA
Date and Time: Thursday, September 17th, 2020 at 7:00 am PT/10:00 am ET
Link to watch live is here.

Department of Education Announces New Relief Measures

Posted on March 25, 2020

Today, US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the following new measures intended to relieve federal student loan borrowers amidst the COVID-19 national emergency.

The Department will halt collection actions and wage garnishments related to federal student loans for a 60 day period beginning March 13th, 2020. Private collection agencies have been requested to stop proactive collection efforts.
The Department will not request Treasury to withhold money from federal tax returns and social security payments.
The Department will refund $1.3 billion in offsets to more than 800,000 borrowers. This represents offsets which were in the process of being withheld as of March 13th, 2020.

These measures are in addition to previously announced steps; federal loan interest rates have been adjusted to 0%, as well as all borrowers have the option to halt payments for 60 days from March 13th, 2020 by contacting their loan servicer.

Major Changes to Student Loans, K-12 Testing, Due to COVID-19

Posted on March 20, 2020

Today President Trump announced the below changes affecting the Department of Education as a result of COVID-19:

The Department of Education will not enforce standardized testing for K-12 institutions this school year.
Federal student loan borrowers may suspend payments for up to 60 days, retroactive from March 13th, 2020. The borrower must contact their loan servicer to make the change.
All federal student loan interest rates will be automatically set to 0% for the next 60 days.

The changes are designed to allow school districts to cope with long-term closures, as well as allow loan borrowers to offset financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 national emergency.