This week on "Off The Cuff," in an extended episode to wrap up the season, Justin, Megan, Stephen, Allie, and NASFAA Policy Analyst Jill Desjean discuss the outstanding questions with the Department of Education's recent announcement that the 2016 final rules on state authorization took effect—by court order—on May 26, 2019, and that California specifically does not meet the regulatory requirements in the final rules for students enrolled in distance education or correspondence programs. Skip ahead to 27:50 to jump right into the discussion. The team this week also examined the details of Congress' recent budget deal and its implications for student aid, and an article from The New York Times that puts into question ED's involvement in the collapse of the Dream Center-held for-profit institutions. This was also the last episode for Stephen, and the last (for a few months) for Megan—share your comments, questions, and well wishes using our feedback form!

This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin, Megan, Stephen, and Allie dive into breaking news this week as more than five dozen colleges and universities were hit by a cyberattack through a vulnerability in enrollment software. Megan gives an update on the latest with foreign gift reporting requirements as institutions and the Department of Education (ED) disagree over what exactly is required. Stephen runs through the details of a new lawsuit in which one of the nation's teachers unions sued ED, claiming the agency arbitrarily rejected its members’ applications for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Plus, the team examines several new pieces of legislation introduced this week addressing issues with income-share agreements and institutional risk-sharing. Skip to 8:21 to get right to the policy discussion.

This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin, Megan, Stephen, and Allie reconnect after a live episode in Orlando last month, and recap the closing session from the 2019 National Conference, which focused on questions that will shape the future of student aid. Justin walks us through the recent repeal of the gainful employment regulations and what it means for institutions, while Megan gives an update on news stemming from institutions improperly reporting gifts and contracts from foreign sources. The team discusses news out of Texas, which will become the second state to mandate that students fill out the FAFSA in order to graduate from high school, and how that will impact students and families. Plus, find out which Disney character made the strongest impression in Orlando.