NASFAA's Off the Cuff Podcast

Author: NASFAA

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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Language: en

Genres: Education, News, Politics

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OTC Inside the Beltway: Looking at the Year Ahead for Higher Ed
Thursday, 8 January, 2026

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.