This week on a special episode of "Off The Cuff," Allie kicks things off with a brief recap of some big higher education news from the past week, including public hearings ahead of new negotiated rulemaking sessions. Justin then introduces our special guests — Brenda Hicks, Christina Tangalakis, and Francisco Valines — who provided insight into their experiences with Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants and emergency aid. Our guests then share how their institutions' financial aid offices have disbursed funding, addressed “exceptional need,” DACA eligibility, professional judgments, and more!

This week on "Off The Cuff," Allie kicks things off with details from a new letter from the Biden administration, offering insight on the Department of Education’s potential pathway forward on gainful employment rules. Jill then delves into a new HEERF report highlighting closed schools receiving HEERF funding and provides an update on HEERF III grant taxability. Remember to tune in to NASFAA’s webinar today at 2:00 p.m. for the latest on HEERF. Megan then previews what higher education can expect in Biden’s soon-to-be-released full budget proposal and highlights NASFAA’s latest issue brief on origination fees. Plus, the team wants to know: Now that you're far removed from college, what is another profession outside of higher education you would have chosen?

This week on “Off The Cuff,” the team dives right in to discuss the Department of Education’s (ED) latest announcement on new HEERF guidance and reporting requirements, including additional ways in which institutions can utilize the recently enacted $36 billion in emergency grants to support vulnerable students, monitor and suppress the coronavirus, and re-engage students whose education was disrupted by the pandemic. Allie then provides an update on an impending rise in student loan interest rates. On the congressional front, Justin highlights a recent academic discussion on filibuster reform and Megan catches listeners up on how leadership jockeying within the House GOP conference could impact higher education policy. Plus, the team wants to know: What incentive would most motivate you to take the COVID-19 vaccine?

This week on “Off The Cuff,” the team dives right into the new leadership announcement at the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) and discusses what impact Richard Cordray could have on the agency as the new chief operating officer and how the Department of Education (ED) will coordinate to address pressing issues like student loans and FAFSA simplification. Rachel covers a host of remarks from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona this week and Allie delves into how ED might approach issues surrounding student loans. Jill then highlights a number of recently unveiled congressional proposals concerning financial aid. Plus, the team wants to know: Are you preparing for the so-called “cicada-palooza” or do you think the hype of the impending insect fest is overblown?