NASFAA's Off the Cuff Podcast

NASFAA
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  • EDUCATION
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Hosted by NASFAA staff, this podcast offers an unscripted view of hot financial aid and higher education-related topics. The hosts discuss what's happening inside the Beltway to give you an insider's perspective.

  1. OTC Inside the Beltway: Looking at the Year Ahead for Higher Ed

    JAN 8

    OTC Inside the Beltway: Looking at the Year Ahead for Higher Ed

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie and Karen give an overview of what could be in store for higher education this year. Melanie kicks things off with an overview of the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and its impact on aid offices, and also highlights recent comments from Education Secretary Linda McMahon about the administration's priorities for higher education in 2026. Karen then catches listeners up on the latest developments in ongoing negotiated rulemaking sessions, focusing on workforce Pell Grants and a new institutional accountability framework. The team also shares some of the latest FAFSA developments and rounds things out with an update on the appropriations process.

    31 min
  2. OTC AskRegs Experts: Working Through Mid-Term Processing

    12/18/2025

    OTC AskRegs Experts: Working Through Mid-Term Processing

    This week on "Off the Cuff," Tim is joined by David Tolman, David Futrell, and Norma Robinson to discuss some frequent and common questions that come up at the tail end of the year and the transition from the fall to the spring term. The team specifically works through student withdrawal scenarios, mid-term processing, and highlights guidance the Department of Education (ED) has most recently provided.

    35 min

  3. 12/04/2025

    OTC Inside The Beltway: Previewing the AHEAD Committee

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie and Karen give a preview of what's to come for the  Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee, which is set to meet for its first negotiated rulemaking session next week. Melanie begins the conversation by acknowledging that the FSA Training Conference would normally be held this week and addresses member concerns. From there, Karen gives an update on verification guidance from the Department of Education (ED). The team ends the conversation by debriefing listeners on what the AHEAD Committee's agenda, which includes a new Workforce Pell Program and other initiatives enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

    22 min
  4. OTC AskRegs Experts: Defining a 'Professional Student' and NASFAA's Recent Public Comments

    11/20/2025

    OTC AskRegs Experts: Defining a 'Professional Student' and NASFAA's Recent Public Comments

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Tim is joined by Jill and Sarah to recap some of the latest negotiated rulemaking (neg reg) developments and NASFAA public comments. Jill kicks things off with details from how the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee worked to define a "professional student" and explained how the Department of Education (ED) approached defining the term, outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Sarah then highlights some of NASFAA's recent comments on ED's proposed revisions to the FSA Feedback System, and their changes to the Application for Approval to Participate in the Federal Student Financial Aid Programs (E-App).

    41 min
  5. OTC Inside the Beltway: Continuing Resolution Reopens ED, 60th Anniversary for the HEA, and NegReg Reaches Consensus

    11/13/2025

    OTC Inside the Beltway: Continuing Resolution Reopens ED, 60th Anniversary for the HEA, and NegReg Reaches Consensus

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie and Karen explain how the end of the government shutdown will impact the Department of Education (ED) and outline what comes next in the federal spending process. The team then highlights the Higher Education Act's (HEA) recent 60th anniversary and discusses how Congress can work to reauthorize the law. Hugh joins in to provide a brief update on a recent Senate hearing that sought to address affordability concerns and provide clarity on college pricing. The team is then joined by Ben Montecillo, MPA, FAAC®, executive director of scholarships & financial aid at the University of Houston, to discuss some key takeaways from the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee negotiated rulemaking session, where ED was able to reach consensus on provisions enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

    39 min

  6. 10/30/2025

    OTC AskRegs Experts: Unpacking Cost of Attendance

    This week on "Off the Cuff," Tim and David do a deep dive into the cost of attendance (COA). David begins the conversation by discussing the purpose of COA, and its different categories. From there, Tim and David discuss multiple aspects of COA, including how institutions build their COA and additional fees – such as health insurance and student loan fees. The team also details resources and provides examples to help members better understand COA, including AskRegs answers and an upcoming NASFAA U course dedicated to the topic.

    34 min

  7. 10/23/2025

    OTC AskRegs Experts: Unpacking the RISE Neg Reg Committee

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Tim and Jill do a deep dive into the Department of Education's (ED) recently held negotiated rulemaking (neg reg) session for the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee. Jill explains the committee's goal to implement multiple provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). From there, the team discusses what happened during the committee's first week-long meeting in September, including debate over what classifies a "professional student." Jill concludes by discussing what's ahead for the committee in November, though it's unclear if the committee will meet under the current government shutdown and what the timeline for implementing these final rules could look like.

    37 min

  8. 10/16/2025

    OTC Inside The Beltway: Updates from the Government Shutdown

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie and Nalia provide an update on where things stand with funding for federal student aid programs due to the ongoing government shutdown. Nalia begins by debriefing listeners on what has happened with the government shutdown so far, which began on October 1. Melanie then discusses how the shutdown – now entering its third week – is impacting federal student aid, including concerns NASFAA has heard from members, and shares several resources to answer member questions. The team also highlights how the White House's most recent reduction in force (RIF) at the Department of Education (ED), where roughly 20% of staff were laid off, could impact higher education. Nalia also provides an overview of the current appropriations process, where Congress must work together to fund the government for fiscal year (FY) 2026.

    20 min
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Hosted by NASFAA staff, this podcast offers an unscripted view of hot financial aid and higher education-related topics. The hosts discuss what's happening inside the Beltway to give you an insider's perspective.

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