The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) contained a new accountability framework to hold institutions of higher education responsible for their graduates’ earnings. In early January 2026, the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) committee reached consensus on proposed regulations implementing this new accountability framework, a critical step toward final regulations. Consensus means that the Department of Education’s (ED) proposed regulatory text for public comment will align with what negotiators agreed to, though the final language may change based on public comments. A full, detailed summary of the new frameworks is available in Deep Dive: NASFAA Summary of Consensus on Accountability Language from Last Week’s AHEAD Negotiated Rulemaking Committee.
