Department of Education Announces New Regulations

The Department of Education this week announced new regulations that will take effect July 1, 2023. The regulations cover topics that affect borrowers, including borrower defense to repayment, closed school discharges, total and permanent disability discharge, interest capitalization, and false certification. The department also addressed issues of access and accountability through the 90/10 rule, prison education programs, and change in ownership. 

New regulations concerning Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) will also take effect in July. The regulations simplify criteria for borrowers, including adjunct faculty, to certify employment. The rules set a single standard for full-time employment at thirty hours a week. They also require employers to give adjunct faculty credit for at least 3.35 hours of work for every credit hour taught. The department will also adjust a borrower’s account and give credit toward PSLF or income-driven repayment for certain situations. 

The AAUP welcomes these continued efforts to streamline PSLF and improve college and loan-forgiveness access. 

More information:

• Borrower defense to repayment, closed school discharges, total and permanent disability discharges, interest capitalization, public service loan forgiveness, false certification
• 90/10 rule, prison education programs, change in ownership
• PSLF and payment count adjustment