The Key with Inside Higher Ed Ep. 165: The Tricky Timeline of the Big Beautiful Bill, a Mark on UVA, Record FAFSA Figures
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Jul 17, 2025 Katherine Knott, News Editor at Inside Higher Ed, dives into the shifts in federal higher education policy following the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill. She discusses staffing challenges at the education department and the implications for institutions like the University of Virginia amid federal pressures. The conversation also highlights new funding reforms, including changes to student loans and the significance of stronger FAFSA applicant rates. With exciting predictions for future legislative battles, it's a crucial update on the evolving landscape of higher education.
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Big Beautiful Bill Overhaul
- The Big Beautiful Bill significantly overhauls decades-old higher education laws, including major student loan reforms.
- It introduces new accountability systems and expands Pell Grants to workforce programs, reshaping federal higher education policy.
Graduate Loan Caps Introduced
- Graduate plus loans are eliminated, replaced by capped loans for graduate and professional students.
- This aims to address the ballooning graduate student debt and potentially reduce low-return programs.
Workforce Pell Expansion Wins
- Workforce Pell Grants now support short-term accredited programs with rigorous employment and cost guardrails.
- This expansion marks a major policy victory for community colleges after years of debate.