February 2026
A Briefing for Institutional Leaders
Introduction
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has developed a new publication entitled Executive Talking Points. This publication provides concise updates on accreditation-related issues of importance to executives at CHEA-eligible institutions. Each issue will summarize key developments and policy actions emerging from the White House, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and the federal courts.
We hope you find this publication a valuable resource for staying informed about the evolving policy landscape affecting accreditation and higher education.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
U.S. Department of Education Announces Negotiated Rulemaking to Reform and Strengthen America’s Accreditation System
USDE announced its intent to establish the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking committee to develop regulations that would: simplify the Secretary’s recognition of accreditors; examine if accreditation contributes to credential inflation; safeguard against undue influence from related trade associations; eliminate policies that discriminate; reform transfer-of-credit policies; and focus on data-driven student outcomes.
The deadline to submit nominations for negotiators is February 27, 2026. The AIM Committee will convene for two five-day sessions in April and May.
CHEA Insight: The rules generated by this rulemaking will affect your institution. Submitting a nomination, if you are able to participate, is important to help USDE understand the impact of changes on institutions.
Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking Announced
The USDE has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to simplify student loan repayment and quality assurance standards for Workforce Pell Grant programs. These provisions are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. USDE is requesting comments on the proposed rules by March 2, 2026. To see the full NPRM, click here.
The proposal includes eliminating the Grad PLUS loan program, limiting new graduate students to $20,500 in federal student loans per year (with a $100,000 aggregate limit) and new professional students to $50,000 in federal student loans per year (with a $200,000 aggregate limit), and creates a tiered standard repayment plan and an income-driven repayment plan.
CHEA Insight: It is important for institutions to provide comments on this NPRM. The loan limits are likely to impact enrollment and persistence.
USDE Request for Information
The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking feedback on potential updates to the Accreditation Handbook. Suggestions made in response the RFI “may also inform future accreditation regulatory reforms and could be referenced in upcoming negotiated rulemakings in the spring.” CHEA has submitted comments in response to the RFI focusing on an understanding of what accreditation does and does not do.
CHEA Insight: The RFI responses will inform USDE in implementing the president’s Executive Orders on education. Any changes to accreditation regulations will affect your institution’s next accreditation review.
Fund For The Improvement Of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)
USDE has announced grants under the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) including encouraging accreditation reform. The grants focused on accreditation reform are divided into two priorities: switching institutional accreditors and creating new accrediting agencies. Ten grants were announced, six for $1,000,000 each and four awards exceeding $999,000 to assist in developing new accreditors or changing accrediting organizations.
CHEA Insight: These grants are illustrative of the determination of USDE to add new accrediting organizations to its list of recognized accreditors.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Executive Order: Wind-Down of the U.S. Department of Education
In March 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin winding down the operations of the USDE.
CHEA Insight: The Department cannot be closed without Congressional approval, and current projections indicate insufficient Senate support to achieve this objective.
Executive Order: Accreditation Reform
A second Executive Order, issued in April 2025, directs the Secretary of Education to overhaul the accreditation process by Increasing competition among accreditors.
CHEA Insight: Institutions and accreditors are awaiting details on the regulations USDE may develop to implement these directives.
Development Of A New Accrediting Organization
Several states, led by Florida, are working to develop an accreditor for their public institutions called the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE).
The states include Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Louisiana is recommending that its public institutions join CPHE and the Iowa legislature is considering legislation that would require public institutions to join this accreditor.
CHEA Insight: Additional states are looking at joining CPHE. It is important that all new accrediting organizations meet the same rigorous standards for recognition by USDE and that they seek CHEA recognition.