dotEDU American Council on Education

With Congress back from spring break, Jon and Sarah look at what's on the agenda in DC, including a House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing on “FAFSA Fail,” President Biden’s newly unveiled student loan forgiveness plan, and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona’s testimony on Biden’s education budget request. They also preview the latest House hearing on antisemitism, which focused on Columbia University.
Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.
Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:
FAFSA Fallout on Capitol Hill
Inside Higher Ed | April 10, 2024
After the FAFSA Quake, a Flood of Corrections
Inside Higher Ed | April 15, 2024
Navigating the FAFSA Crisis: A Timeline
American Council on Education
New Data: FAFSA Completions Down 40% Through End of March
National College Attainment Network | April 8, 2024
Student Aid Woes Stalk Education Secretary in Appearance on Capitol Hill
The New York Times (sub. req.) | April 10, 2024
What to Know About Biden’s New Student Loan Forgiveness Plan
The Washington Post (sub. req.) | April 8, 2024
Columbia Leaders Face Scrutiny From Lawmakers on Campus Antisemitism
The Washington Post (sub. req.) | April 17, 2024
Final Overtime Rule Clears White House Review
Higher Ed Dive | April 12, 2024

Hosts Jon and Mushtaq are joined by ACE President Ted Mitchell to examine the complexities of college admissions in 2024. They discuss the potentially devastating impacts of the problems with the redesigned FAFSA form, reflect on the repercussions of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on race in admissions, and examine the issues surrounding legacy admissions and the resurgence of standardized testing requirements. 
Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.
Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:
As Colleges Receive FAFSA Records, Some Ask: ‘How Do We Trust This Data?’
The Washington Post (sub. req.) | March 31, 2024
NCAN's FAFSA Tracker
National College Attainment Network
Extending Enrollment and Financial Aid Deadlines
American Council on Education
Can You Create a Diverse College Class Without Affirmative Action?
The New York Times (sub. req.)  | March 9, 2024
OPINION: Banning Legacy Admissions Will Deliver Another Blow to the Children of Black Alumni
The Hechinger Report | March 30, 2024
Why Elite Colleges Are Bringing the SAT Back
Vox | Feb. 27, 2024

ACE’s Steven Bloom, assistant vice president of government relations, joins hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer to explore the complicated relationship between student-athletes and unions. They also talk about efforts to get Congress focused on addressing the growing student mental health crisis on college campuses. Plus, they look at Congress’ federal spending bill for FY 2024 and what it means for the Department of Education’s spending levels.
Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu. 
Congress, White House Agree on Spending but May Still Miss Deadline 
The Washington Post | March 18, 2024 
 
Biden Budget Proposes Pell Increase, Free Community College 
American Council on Education | March 13, 2024 
 
Pell Grants Are in Trouble, Threatening Financial Aid for Low-Income College Students 
MarketWatch | March 12, 2024 
 
Education Department Starts Sending Financial Aid Data to Colleges After Months of Delays 
Associated Press | March 12, 2024 
 
House Republicans Float Bill to Require Free Speech on Campuses 
Inside Higher Ed | March 18, 2024 
 
Dartmouth Players Are Employees Who Can Unionize, U.S. Official Says 
The New York Times | Feb. 5, 2024 
 
House Republicans Warn Against College Athlete Unions 
Inside Higher Ed | March 13, 2024 
 
House Holds Hearing on NLRB Student Athlete Ruling, ACE Submits Statement 
American Council on Education | March 13, 2024 

ACE Holds Student Mental Health Briefing on Capitol Hill 
American Council on Education | March 11, 2024   

Hosts Jon and Mushtaq are joined by special repeat guest Justin Draeger, president and CEO of NASFAA, to talk about the Education Department’s flawed rollout of the new FAFSA form and the implications for students and colleges as well as what happens next. They also dive into the proposed legislation that would extend Pell Grants to short-term career training programs.  
Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu. 
House Committee Approves Bills on Short-Term Pell, WIOA Reauthorization
American Council on Education | Dec. 18, 2023
Department of Education Announces Steps to Make Better FAFSA® More Readily Accessible
Diverse: Issues In Higher Education | Feb. 13, 2024
Education Department Says FAFSA Fix Is Coming for Social Security Issue
USA Today | Feb. 20, 2024
OPINION: Every FAFSA Delay Puts College Further Out of Reach
The New York Times (sub. req.) | Feb. 8, 2024
Extending Enrollment and Financial Aid Deadlines
American Council on Education

ACE’s Emmanual Guillory, senior director of government relations, joins hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer to talk about the College Cost Reduction Act—the new Higher Education Act reauthorization bill from House Republicans—as well as the status of funding the federal government for FY 2024 and the latest on the Department of Education’s problematic FAFSA rollout.
Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu. 
Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:
Senate Republicans Officially Block Foreign Aid Bill With Border Changes
Politico | Feb. 7, 2024
House Committee Advances GOP Plan to Overhaul Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 1, 2024
Summary: The College Cost Reduction Act
American Council on Education | Jan. 19, 2024
College Cost Transparency Initiative
Millions of College Students in Limbo After Aid Application Information Is Delayed Until March
NBC News | Jan. 30, 2024
Some Colleges Are Pivoting as FAFSA Delays Drag On
The New York Times (sub. req.) | Feb. 8, 2024
Extending Enrollment and Financial Aid Deadlines
American Council on Education
Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education 2023-2024
U.S. Department of Education
 

Nicholas Dirks joins Jon, Sarah, and Mushtaq to discuss his new book City of Intellect and his time as chancellor of University of California, Berkeley. Dirks offers insights on critical campus issues like working with state governments and balancing free speech with safety. The hosts kick off the episode with an update on the problems with the Education Department’s new FAFSA form. 
Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu. 
Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:
Fixing Error in FAFSA Application Adds Another Delay, Education Dept. Says
The Washington Post | Jan. 30, 2024 
Colleges Should EXTENDMAY1 Decision Deadline Amid FAFSA Delays, Higher Ed Groups Say
Higher Ed Dive | Feb. 1, 2024 
Education Department Announces ‘FAFSA College Support Strategy.’ Here’s What It Involves.
The Chronicle of Higher Education | Feb. 5, 2024 
House Education Committee Approves College Cost Reduction Act
American Council on Education | Feb. 5, 2024 
City of Intellect: The Uses and Abuses of the University 
Nicholas Dirks
‘A Roller-Coaster Ride From Start to Finish’ 
Inside Higher Ed | Jan. 30, 2024 
The Latest on Campus Cuts  
Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 8, 2023 
‘America Is Under Attack’: Inside the Anti-D.E.I. Crusade
The New York Times | Jan. 20, 2024
 
Amid Violence, Yiannopoulos Speech at Berkeley Canceled 
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 1, 2017 

 
Amid National Backlash, Colleges Brace for Fresh Wave of Anti-DEI Legislation 
The Chronicle of Higher Education | Jan. 16, 2024