Education Department Launches AIM Rulemaking to Overhaul Higher Ed Accreditation
Published January 26, 2026
By AACOM Government Relations
Federal Policy Higher Education OME Advocate
- ED announced a new Accreditation, Innovation and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking to revise federal accreditation regulations in line with Executive Order 14279, to advance President Trump’s higher education reform agenda.
- The rulemaking will focus on modernizing accreditation by simplifying recognition of accreditors, addressing cost and credential inflation, preventing undue influence, eliminating discriminatory standards and refocusing quality assurance on data-driven student outcomes.
- The Department is accepting nominations for negotiators through February 27, 2026, with the AIM committee slated to meet for two five-day sessions in April and May.