ED AHEAD Negotiated Rulemaking Session 2 Concludes, Consensus Reached
Published January 12, 2026
By AACOM Government Relations
Federal Policy Graduate Medical Education Higher Education OME Advocate
- On January 5-9, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) convened the second session of its Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) negotiated rulemaking committee.
- This session focused on the new accountability framework created in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, P.L. 119-21, and Gainful Employment and Financial Value Transparency regulation amendments.
- Negotiators reached consensus on a new framework that includes a single earnings test for all postsecondary programs and new standards that could remove access to federal student aid for failing programs.
- ED will issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking based on the negotiated language, request public comment and issue a final rule slated to take effect on July 1, 2026.