Introduction
This volume of the Federal Student Aid Handbook includes topics pertaining to institutions’ general obligations in administering the Title IV student aid programs: institutional and program eligibility, administrative requirements, audits, record keeping, program reviews, and providing information to the public.
This introduction only summarizes the changes and clarifications presented in more detail in the chapters. For more complete guidance, refer to the text in the chapters cited and the pertinent regulations and statutes.
Noteworthy Changes
Updates for 2026-2027
Chapter 1:
- Moved Accrediting Agency Role information from Chapter 8 into Chapter 1
- Updated language under Bankruptcy or Crimes Involving Title IV Program
- Made a number of changes under the Program Participation Agreement (PPA) section to conform with current language in the PPA.
Chapter 2:
- Under Determining Program Eligibility, added information about reporting under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
- Added a new section called Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability due to new statutory requirements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
- Removed the sections titled Financial Value Transparency (FVT) Metrics, Reporting Requirements, and Elements Taking Effect July 1, 2026
- Under Types of Study-Abroad Programs, removed the following outdated Direct Assessment definitions: Academic Year, Independent Study, and Full-Time Student
- Under Flight School Programs, added additional information on program eligibility
- Added a new section called Workforce Pell Programs due to new statutory requirements added under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act
- Added information under Contractual Agreement specific to Workforce Programs
Chapter 3:
- Under System of Checks and Balances, added the definition of a family member
- Under Required Electronic Processes, added additional information specific to FSA Partner Connect
- Deleted Annual Validation of TG Numbers Required by December 7, 2023, and created an updated section called Annual Validation of FSA Systems
- Under Reporting Student Enrollment Data to NSLDS, added information related to STATS/Earning Accountability
- Added a new section called Treating Withdrawn Students as Never Attended
Chapter 4:
- Under Submission Dates for Title IV Audits, added Electronic Announcement GENERAL-26-18 (enforcement authority)
Chapter 5:
- Under Adding a Program and Determining Eligibility, added Workforce Program due to new statutory requirements
- Under Changes Requiring Written Approval From the Department, added accreditation information specific to submitting a Reasonable Cause Request Certification
- Under Changes Requiring Written Approval From the Department, added Workforce Program and Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program
Chapter 6:
- Under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, updated information throughout based on The Stop Campus Hazing Act. This includes: added hazing to Crimes to Be Reported, added hazing and student organization definitions under Definitions Related to Crime Reporting, added required policies related to hazing and prevention and awareness programs related to hazing under Required Contents of Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports, and added a new section called Campus Hazing Transparency Report
- Under Foreign Gifts, Contracts, and Ownership, updated compliance information
- Under Misrepresentation, added information on omission of fact
Chapter 7:
- Under Higher Education Act Data Use, added additional information specific to FAFSA data and FTI
Chapter 8:
- Under Written Report, added additional clarifying information
- Moved the Accrediting Agency Role information from Chapter 8 to Chapter 1
- Under End of Title IV Participation, added information specific to earnings and accountability due to new statutory requirements