From Big Beautiful Bill to Big Complicated Rules

The One Big Beautiful Bill may have made headlines but now comes the hard part: writing the rules. In this episode of dotEDU, we unpack the Education Department's massive regulatory to-do list, from loan caps and professional degree definitions to new Pell and accountability rules. But first: the government shutdown has ended. What's next?  Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:  Register now for ACEx, Feb. 25-28, 2026, in Washington, DC  Reopening the Federal Government  With Government Reopened, Will Education Department Staff Return? Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 12, 2025  FIPSE Notice  Federal Register Announcement Nov. 12, 2025  Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Home Page Department of Education  ED's 'Special Projects' Grants Spark Concern Over Congressional Intent Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 12, 2025  Negotiated Rulemaking  Summary: One Big Beautiful Bill Act ACE  Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education 2025 Department of Education  Comments on the Education Department's Proposal to Implement the One Big Beautiful Bill ACE | Aug. 29, 2025  How the Loan Cap Committee Reached Consensus Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 10, 2025  ED Panel to Weigh Sorting of Grad and Professional Programs Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 26, 2025