Council of Graduate Schools (CGS)

Here’s your Wednesday briefing from Washington DC:

⭐ Federal Student Loan Borrowers Eligible for Increased Auto Pay Interest Rate Reduction
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Education will temporarily increase the federal student loan auto pay interest rate discount from 0.25 percent to 1 percent for borrowers who enroll in auto pay by September 30, 2026, with the benefit lasting through June 30, 2028. The Department of Education also highlighted the launch of two new repayment plans, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) and the Tiered Standard Repayment Plan, aimed at simplifying repayment and encouraging on-time payments through auto pay.
Link: https://bit.ly/4b5D0Kc

⭐ Department of Education and DOJ Establish Three Interagency Agreements on Civil Rights, Privacy, and Training Coordination
The Department of Education and the Department of Justice entered into three interagency agreements covering civil rights enforcement, student privacy protection, and training and advisory services. The agreements establish coordinated processes for complaint intake, investigation, resolution, and enforcement actions under applicable federal civil rights and student privacy statutes.
Link: https://bit.ly/4ba9jrt

⭐ Trump Administration Issues Executive Orders on Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity
President Trump has signed two executive orders directing federal agencies to accelerate the adoption of post-quantum cybersecurity and strengthen U.S. leadership in quantum computing. The orders direct agencies to accelerate the adoption of post-quantum cryptography and launch a national initiative to develop advanced quantum computing capabilities.
Link: https://bit.ly/4uZeIZJ (Executive Order – Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation), https://bit.ly/4uZeJgf (Executive Order - Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks)

⭐ Department of Energy Selects 36th Class of Computational Science Graduate Fellows
On June 17, the Department of Energy announced that 29 doctoral students were selected for the 2026–2027 Computational Science Graduate Fellowship program. Fellows from 18 universities will apply high-performance computing to research in fields including machine learning, computer science, quantum science, engineering, physics, chemistry, and materials science.
Link: https://bit.ly/3QI4qPx

CGS members can sign up for Washington Insights and Highlights, our full, member-exclusive newsletter, here: https://bit.ly/3LLeMIs

U.S. Department of Education Announces Student Loan Interest Rate Reduction Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced that federal student loan borrowers enrolled in auto pay will be eligible for a 1 percent interest rate reduction beginning July 1.

Don't forget to book your room at The Drake Hotel before the June 18th deadline so you can stay in the heart of the action during the CGS Summer Workshop and New Deans Institute!

Staying at the conference hotel is more than just convenient; it’s the easiest way to make the most of your Summer Workshop experience. From spontaneous networking conversations to quick access to sessions, lunches, and evening events, being onsite keeps you connected to everything happening throughout Summer Workshop.

The Drake, a Hilton Hotel built in 1920, is renowned for its rich history and architectural integrity and is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Along the shoreline of Lake Michigan and steps from the Magnificent Mile, The Drake’s prime location puts you at the center of Chicago’s premier retail and dining scene.

Not registered for the Summer Workshop and New Deans Institute yet? There are still a few tickets available. Register today: https://cgsnet.org/event/2026-summer-workshop-and-new-deans-institute

This week, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan and Congressman Paul Tonko introduced the Improving Mentorship in STEM Higher Education Act with the endorsement of multiple higher education organizations, including CGS. The Act authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a competitive demonstration program to strengthen mentorship practices at STEM higher education institutions, improving mentorship training, researching and institutionalizing effective practices, and strengthening misconduct reporting requirements.

“Strong mentorship is a central pillar of success in STEM graduate education, equipping students with the support they need to develop the skills, confidence and professional networks to lead in research and drive workforce innovation,” said CGS President Chevelle Newsome. “Federal investment in mentorship is an investment in America’s research future and will empower institutions to strengthen mentoring programs, support the adoption of evidence-based mentoring practices and establish clear and mutual expectations for faculty and students. When we get mentorship right, we get graduate education right, and we ensure that every student from every path succeeds in their graduate programs, cultivating the highly skilled STEM workforce this nation needs to meet state and national priorities.”

The full press release is available here: https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-tonko-introduce-bill-support-next-generation-stem-leaders

Interested in improving mentoring on your campuses? Explore CGS's toolkit of mentoring resources: https://cgsnet.org/data-insights/graduate-professional-development/mentoring-resources

McClellan, Tonko Introduce Bill to Support the Next Generation of STEM Leaders Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) introduced H.R. 9177, the Improving Mentorship in STEM Higher Education Act, to strengthen mentorship opportunities in higher education science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs.

Here’s your Wednesday briefing from Washington DC:

⭐House Appropriations Committee Adopts Managers Amendment on Nursing Loan Limits and TRIO
During the House Appropriations Committee’s markup of the FY 2027 Labor, HHS, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, lawmakers adopted a bipartisan manager’s amendment that would block the Department of Education from lowering student loan borrowing caps for nursing degrees. Specifically, the amendment would prohibit the Department from administering federal student aid in a manner that fails to designate advanced nursing programs as professional degree programs. The amendment, adopted by voice vote, also includes provisions to preserve the current structure and administration of Federal TRIO programs, while requiring the Department to obligate TRIO funds expeditiously. It also prohibits reductions in TRIO funding allocations below FY 2026 levels and directs the Department to open the next grant competition by December 1, 2026.
Link: https://bit.ly/4exRG70

⭐ Federal Judge Blocks President Trump’s $100k Visa Fee
On June 7, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin blocked President Trump’s September 2025 proclamation to implement a $100,000 fee on employers who seek to hire foreign workers for specialized roles through the H-1B process. Prior to the proclamation, H-1B visa fees generally ranged from $2,000 to $5,000 per application. Judge Sorokin ruled that the proposed fee constituted an unauthorized tax requiring congressional approval and therefore violated constitutional separation of powers principles. The Trump Administration is expected to appeal the decision.
Link: https://politi.co/4xl0Mvs

⭐ NIH Seeks Public Input on Proposal to Cap Number of Research Grants per Investigator
On June 8, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input on a proposed policy that would cap the number of simultaneous Research Project Grants (RPGs) an individual researcher can hold as a principal investigator (PI) or multi-principal investigator (MPI). Depending on whether the cap is set at two, three, or four grants, NIH estimates the policy could free between $1.28 billion and $3.53 billion to support up to 5,230 additional investigators. NIH is also soliciting feedback on potential implementation approaches, including phased reductions through grant renewals, or requiring institutions to reduce investigators’ grant portfolios within one year. Public comments are due by August 3, 2026.
Link: https://bit.ly/4vkvL9H

Court blocks Trump’s $100K visa fee It's a significant victory for states who sued Trump over the proclamation, saying the $100,000 fee had damaged their ability to hire workers

Here’s your Wednesday briefing from Washington DC:

⭐ OMB Proposes Expanded Oversight of Federal Grants
On May 29, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a proposed rule that would expand the authority of political appointees to review and approve federal grant applications, including scientific research grants, and allow agencies to reject or terminate grants that conflict with executive orders, federal law, or administration priorities. The proposal also restricts funding for activities related to DEI, voter registration, and certain advocacy efforts, while limiting the use of indirect grant funds for publishing research papers unless specifically approved by the agency on a case-by-case basis. Public comments on the proposed rule are due by July 16, 2026.
Link:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-29/pdf/2026-10817.pdf

⭐ DHS Walks Back New Green Card Guidance
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partially walked back recent guidance that initially directed many individuals seeking permanent residency to apply for a green card outside the United States. Following widespread confusion and concerns about potential legal challenges, DHS clarified that the policy will not prevent qualified individuals from obtaining permanent residency and will not affect current green card holders or their ability to travel.
Link: https://thepienews.com/dhs-walks-back-green-card-guidance/

⭐ Trump Administration Postpones, then Releases AI Executive Order
On June 2, the Trump Administration issued the executive order “Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security,” outlining the Administration’s approach to balancing AI innovation with national and cybersecurity concerns. The order requests that certain AI companies voluntarily submit advanced models for federal review 30 days prior to public release, revising an earlier proposal that contemplated a 90-day review period and contributed to a delay in the order’s initial release.

Link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/promoting-advanced-artificial-intelligence-innovation-and-security/

DHS walks back green card guidance The US administration has walked back recent guidance that instructed most people seeking permanent residency to apply for a green card outside the US.

The National Name Exchange deadline has been extended! Students now have until July 24, 2026 to register for the National Name Exchange. Institutions will have until the end of July to become full participants in this year's cycle.

The National Name Exchange aims to expand access to graduate education to support a robust and nimble workforce. Each year, CGS members invite students from their campuses to learn more about graduate school. As part of their participation, students get access to information and strategies for applying to and succeeding in graduate school; some participating institutions also provide other benefits to enrolled students, such as fee waivers. Participating institutions can view and recruit all submitted students, finding matches for programs on their campuses.

To learn more about the National Name Exchange, please visit the CGS website:

The National Name Exchange - CGS Managed by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Name Exchange (NNE) aims to expand access to graduate education for the purposes of creating a robust and nimble workforce.

Here’s your Tuesday briefing from Washington DC:

⭐ GAO Report on Rising Costs of Publishing
On May 21st, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report warning that federal agencies may face significant rising costs due to a federal mandate that requires federally funded research papers to be freely accessible, with publishing fees potentially increasing from $295 million in 2024 to as much as $937 million annually by 2030. GAO reviewed nine agencies that fund research and found that with the exception of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), most agencies have not adequately planned for these growing expenses, which could reduce funding available for research and other priorities.
Link: https://bit.ly/3PEVASc

⭐ Members of Congress Launch International Exchange Caucus
On May 12th, bipartisan members from both the House and Senate announced the launch of the Congressional International Exchange Caucus to bolster engagement and support for international exchange programs, particularly those administered by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). It will also enable members to ensure ECA’s long-term programmatic sustainability and success by offering exclusive opportunities to engage with Administration officials on the latest topics impacting international exchange programs.
Link: https://bit.ly/4tVGOVa

⭐ UNESCO Report Finds Significant Growth in International Student Mobility
A recent UNESCO report found that the number of internationally mobile students worldwide nearly tripled between 2002 and 2023, increasing from 2.5 million to 7.3 million students. East Asia remains the largest region for internationally mobile students, while South and West Asia experienced the fastest growth rates during that period. Despite global enrollment increases, the report notes that significant inequities remain in access, completion, funding, and student mobility opportunities.
Link: https://bit.ly/43xsqHK

CGS members can sign up for Washington Insights and Highlights, our full, member-exclusive newsletter, here: https://bit.ly/3LLeMIs

U.S. GAO - Federal Research: Agencies Should Better Manage Anticipated Publishing Cost Increases Amid Shift to Public Access The U.S. government funds billions of dollars in research each year. However, results of the research are often behind expensive paywalls. This makes...

The U.S. Department of Education has released critical regulatory guidance on the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which has been renamed the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. With major Title IV changes taking effect on July 1, 2026, graduate deans should note the following resources released yesterday:

⭐ New FAQ Guidance: The Department has released past webinar recordings and technical information on student loan reforms on the FSA Training Center: https://fsatraining.ed.gov/

⭐ Updated OBBBA Webpage: The Department has updated its OBBBA webpage with resources for the higher education community including an F&Q on loan limits: https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/topics/one-big-beautiful-bill-act-information &https://fsapartners.ed.gov/sites/default/files/2026-05/Loan%20Limits%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%20May%2020.%202026%205%20p.m_.pdf

⭐ Dedicated Policy Inbox: Institutions can now submit regulatory and policy questions directly to Department staff at [email protected]. Senders are encouraged to review existing FAQs before emailing.

⭐ Link to Resources: The Department is hosting a webinar series on topics such as Loan Repayment Plans & Loan Changes; Schedule of Reductions & Loan Limits; Workforce Pell; and STATS & Earnings Accountability, as well as office hours starting next Tuesday. https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-05-20/assistance-implementation-final-regulations-working-families-tax-cuts-act

The U.S. Department of Education has released critical regulatory guidance on the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which has been renamed the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. With major Title IV changes taking effect on July 1, 2026, graduate deans should note the following resources released yesterday:

⭐ New FAQ Guidance: The Department has released past webinar recordings and technical information on student loan reforms on the FSA Training Center: https://bit.ly/4wE4wId

⭐ Updated OBBBA Webpage: The Department has updated its OBBBA webpage with resources for the higher education community including an F&Q on loan limits: https://bit.ly/4wJEymw & https://bit.ly/3RjTKXm

⭐ Dedicated Policy Inbox: Institutions can now submit regulatory and policy questions directly to Department staff at [email protected]. Senders are encouraged to review existing FAQs before emailing.

⭐ Link to Resources: The Department is hosting a webinar series on topics such as Loan Repayment Plans & Loan Changes; Schedule of Reductions & Loan Limits; Workforce Pell; and STATS & Earnings Accountability, as well as office hours starting next Tuesday. https://bit.ly/4tP5y1m