July 2026

July 8, 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.

Federal Updates

The start of summer has not brought a slowdown in federal higher education policy. During June, the Department of Education began implementing a significant new federal accountability framework with the publication of final regulations establishing earnings-based standards for Title IV programs. At the same time, the Department continued advancing efforts to expand competition among accrediting agencies, incorporated graduate earnings data into accreditation recognition reviews, and announced a list of professional degree programs that are eligible for higher loan limits following a federal court ruling. Combined, these developments point to expanding federal accountability expectations, even as implementation timelines, Department capacity, and regulatory requirements remain in flux.

Federal Accountability

Department Issues Final Accountability Regulations. The Department published final regulations implementing the new earnings-based accountability framework established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The regulations apply to all Title IV programs and establish a "Do No Harm" standard under which programs generally lose eligibility only when graduates consistently earn less than comparable high school graduates and produce poor repayment outcomes. The Department also adopted several changes from the proposed rule, including exemptions for certain programs that do not participate in the Direct Loan Program or that elect to discontinue participation. In addition, the Department announced delays in accountability consequences for programs associated with occupational fields where workers rely substantially on tipped income.

Department Issues Interim Professional Degree Guidance Following Court Ruling. Following a federal district court’s order temporarily blocking the Department of Education’s regulatory definition of “professional degree,” the Department issued updated guidance identifying additional Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes that will temporarily qualify for the higher federal student loan limits. The guidance expands the list of eligible professional degree programs from 11 to 29 while litigation continues but does not change the statutory graduate borrowing limits established by Congress.  

Updated Institutional Nonpayment of Student Loan Data. The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) has updated its institutional nonpayment rate data through the FSA Data Center, reflecting borrower repayment activity through March 31, 2026. The Department has emphasized that these rates should be viewed as an early indicator of institutions that may face elevated future cohort default rates. Since the Department first began publishing these data in July 2025, the number of institutions with nonpayment rates of at least 25 percent has increased from 1,100 institutions to approximately 2,000. The Department is encouraging institutions to engage borrowers now to reduce future cohort default rates.

Executive Takeaway: Recent federal actions demonstrate a continued shift toward outcomes-based accountability alongside significant changes to federal student aid administration. Institutional leaders should assess how the new accountability regulations, revised professional degree guidance, and updated repayment metrics may affect institutional planning, financial aid administration, and student communications.

Accreditation Oversight

New Accreditor Seeking Recognition. This month, the Department of Education announced it is reviewing  the Postsecondary Commission (PSC), an aspiring new accrediting agency for initial recognition. The Department’s review signals that institutional leaders may soon have new options among recognized accreditors. If recognized, PSC would become the first new federally recognized institutional accreditor under the Administration’s initiative to increase competition. While it is still too early to predict the long-term implications, recognition of a new agency could alter the accreditation landscape by expanding institutional choice, while also encouraging existing accreditors to further differentiate themselves through services, responsiveness, innovation, or mission alignment.

Student Outcomes Likely to Dominate July NACIQI meeting. In final staff analysis reports prepared for the July meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), reviewers repeatedly questioned the rigor of student achievement standards and, for the first time, relied on publicly available graduate earnings data to help evaluate several accrediting agencies. The analyses suggest agencies may face increasing pressure to demonstrate that their standards identify institutions with persistently weak student outcomes. NACIQI will meet to consider renewal of recognition for seven accrediting agencies and a compliance report of one state approval agency at its meeting on July 22-23.

Executive Takeaway. Even before new regulations are finalized, the Department appears to be incorporating earnings data into recognition reviews. Institutional leaders should be aware of a changing policy landscape that could result in increased expectations on student outcomes, including through accreditation, in the future.

CHEA Updates

CHEA Welcomes Vice President for Federal Policy and Government Relations. CHEA recently welcomed Antoinette Flores as Vice President for Federal Policy and Government Relations. Antoinette will lead CHEA's federal policy strategy, strengthen engagement with policymakers and higher education stakeholders, and expand CHEA's thought leadership on accreditation, institutional quality, and accountability. Institutional leaders are encouraged to connect government relations staff with Antoinette for additional ongoing updates, analysis, and discussion of emerging issues. She can be reached at [email protected].

Looking Ahead

  • July 15: Public comment deadline for Postsecondary Commission
  • July 22-23: NACIQI meeting
  • August 31: Some provisions of the new accountability regulations take effect

For more details on each of these topics, please review CHEA’s Policy Watch