Advocacy Alert: MSCHE Encourages Institutions to Comment on USDE Institutional Eligibility, Student Assistance General Provisions, and Federal Pell Grant Program Proposed Rulemaking

As part of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s (MSCHE) strategic priority to promote advocacy initiatives for its members and others, we encourage institutions to submit feedback during the comment period for the United States Department of Education (USDE) Institutional Eligibility, Student Assistance General Provisions, and Federal Pell Grant Program Proposed Rulemaking.

The United States Department of Education announced its plans to gather public input on proposed rulemaking regarding the Federal Pell Grant program, institutional eligibility, and student assistance general provisions. The proposed rule was published on July 28, 2022, and will be open for public comment through August 26, 2022.

The United States Department of Education summarized,

The Secretary proposes to amend regulations for the Federal Pell Grant program, institutional eligibility, and student assistance general provisions. First, the Secretary proposes to establish regulations for Federal Pell Grants (Pell Grants or Pell) for Prison Education Programs (PEPs), to implement new statutory requirements in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, that amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to establish Pell Grant eligibility for a confined or incarcerated individual enrolled in a PEP.

Submitting Public Comments

MSCHE encourages its institutions to provide their feedback on the above opportunity. All comments submitted will be considered by USDE. Comments must be submitted via the Federal Rulemaking Portal at Regulations.gov. The Department will not accept comments submitted by fax or by email or those submitted after the comment period.

Additional Information: In 2021, MSCHE President Dr. Heather F. Perfetti served as a primary negotiator representing accrediting agencies on the Affordability and Student Loans Committee for the negotiated rulemaking on higher education issues, and MSCHE supported efforts to strengthen institutional accountability and consumer protection and encouraged institutions to virtually attend the proceedings: MSCHE Provides Written Comments on USDE Intent to Establish Negotiated Rulemaking Committees and Virtual USDE Negotiated Rulemaking Process Update and Opportunities.