Department of Education November 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department publishes a notice ratifying the actions of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) and the action of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration for OESE, in publishing certain documents in the Federal Register.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the Institute of Education Sciences, US Department of Education invites the general public and other federal agencies to comment on a proposed information collection request. NCES plans to collect information from individuals to fulfill its data security requirements when providing access to restricted-use microdata for the purpose of evidence building. NCES's data security agreements and other paperwork along with the corresponding security protocols allow the agency to maintain careful controls on confidentiality and privacy, as required by law.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing a revision of a currently approved collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing a new information collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved collection.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) publishes this notice, as required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, of the phased implementation of some elements of the FAFSA Simplification Act for the 2023-2024 award year. This notice also addresses other rules that will take effect for the 2023-2024 award year as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act.

The Secretary establishes new regulations governing the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program to establish a new Federal standard and a process for determining whether a borrower has a defense to repayment on a loan based on an act or omission of their school. We also are amending the Direct Loan Program regulations to prohibit participating schools from using certain contractual provisions regarding dispute resolution processes and to require certain notifications and disclosures by institutions (institutions or schools) regarding their use of mandatory arbitration. Additionally, we are amending the Direct Loan regulations to eliminate interest capitalization in instances where it is not required by statute. We are also amending the regulations governing closed school discharges and total and permanent disability (TPD) discharges in the Federal Perkins Loan (Perkins), Direct Loan, and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) programs. We are also amending the regulations governing false certification discharges in the Direct Loan and FFEL programs. Finally, we are amending the regulations governing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) in the Direct Loan program to improve the application process, and to clarify and expand definitions for full- time employment, qualifying employers, and qualifying monthly payments. The changes would bring greater transparency and clarity and improve the administration of Federal student financial aid programs to assist and protect students, participating institutions, and taxpayers.