Office of the Secretary of Higher EducationU.S. Department of Education Enters Federal Student Assistance Partnership with U.S. Department of the Treasury
On March 19, 2026, ED announced a new interagency agreement with Treasury for operational responsibility for collecting on defaulted Federal student loan dept and to return borrowers to repayment. ED and Treasury will communicate with stakeholders regarding plans, timelines, and questions. More information is available in the press release and the Federal Student Assistance Partnership fact sheet available on their website.
U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor Announce Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 competition for the Talent Search Program
On March 17, 2026, ED and DOL issued the FY 2026 Talent Search Program aimed at helping students pursue postsecondary education or training. This is the first grant under ED’s new interagency partnership agreement with DOL. The deadline for the FY 2026 Talent Search Application is May 1, 2026. Additional information about the announcement, including eligibility and application details for the Talent Search grant competition is available on ED’s website.
U.S. Department of Education Issues Proposed Rules to Implement Working Families Tax Cuts Act’s Workforce Pell Grants
On March 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the new Workforce Pell Grant program starting in July 2026. Comments on the proposed rules can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal through April 8, 2026.
View the press release with links to the proposed rules and portal submission here.
Reminder: U.S. DOL announces $65M in Grants for Community Colleges to Develop In-Demand, High-Quality Training
The U.S. Department of Labor announced $65 million in grants through the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants to help community colleges increase access to high-quality short-term training programs that seek eligibility for Workforce Pell. Applications for this grant opportunity must be submitted electronically by 11:59PM on May 20, 2026. View the press release to learn more about the opportunity and the grants link to apply.
AG Davenport Opposes Unprecedented Barriers to Federal Funding Requests
On March 30, 2026, NJ AG Davenport joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing a comment letter opposing a proposal by the General Services Administration that would require recipients of federal funding to certify to compliance with vague and undefined terms targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion. To learn more, view the press release and comment letter.
The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education is continuing to compile information about any institutions who are experiencing issues with federal funding or other impacts due to federal action. Please submit a brief summary of issues to Stefani.Thachik@oshe.nj.gov if applicable to your institution. Find updates and resources regarding federal actions on OSHE's Federal Actions Impacting Higher Education page
Official Site of The State of New Jersey