Top Five October 2026 Announcements for Higher Education Institutions

Here is a summary of the top five October 2026 U.S. Department of Education (ED) and other announcements, plus additional helpful updates and resources for higher education institutions:

2026 Compliance Supplement Update

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not yet released the 2026 Compliance Supplement, which is applicable to institutions with fiscal year-ends of June 30, 2026, and later. As a result, institutions and auditors may be unable to finalize certain compliance assessments, audit* planning activities, and federal program requirements until updated guidance becomes available. Institutions should continue monitoring for its release and evaluate any changes once issued.

Upcoming Title IV Requirements and Other Notifications

1. FSA Electronic Announcement GENERAL-26-60, Active Confirmation Required by Dec. 31, 2026, to Maintain Access to FSA Systems – Institutions must complete the annual active confirmation process by December 31, 2026, to maintain access to FSA systems and Student Aid Internet Gateway Agreement (SAIG) services. Administrators should review and validate user access in FSA Partner Connect and remove individuals who no longer require it. Failure to complete the process may result in loss of access to critical FSA services.
   
2. FSA Electronic Announcement GENERAL-26-49, Guidance on FVT/GE Data Reporting, STATS Early Implementation, and Next Steps for Publication (Updated Oct. 8, 2026) – ED has provided updated guidance on Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) and Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) reporting, including publication timelines and implementation updates. ED also announced training webinars on FVT/GE and STATS reporting. Institutions should review the reporting requirements and note that the 2026 FVT/GE reporting deadline has been extended to January 15, 2027. See NACUBO's summary of the reporting deadline extension for additional details.
   
3. FSA Electronic Announcement GEN-26-05, Changes to Campus Security Requirements Related to the Stop Campus Hazing Act – Guidance has been issued on new campus security and reporting requirements related to the Stop Campus Hazing Act. Institutions should review the requirements for annual security reporting, campus safety policies, and disclosure to ensure compliance.
   
4. FSA Electronic Announcement GEN-26-06, 2027–28 Award Year: FAFSA^® Information to be Verified and Acceptable Documentation – The 2027–28 FAFSA verification requirements are now available, including the data elements subject to verification and acceptable supporting documentation. Institutions should review the updated guidance and begin preparing policies, procedures, and staff training for the upcoming award year.
   
5. FIRE Is Retiring: What Information Return Filers Need to Know for 2027 – The IRS is retiring its Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) system and transitioning to the Information Returns Intake System (IRIS). This affects the filing requirements for Forms 1098-T and 1099, as well as other information returns. This CRI article explains the change and the next steps to ensure compliance.

Additional Resources

1. FSA Electronic Announcement GEN-26-04, Guidance to Educational Institutions on Swatting Threats – Guidance has been released to help educational institutions prepare for and respond to swatting threats. Institutions should review emergency response procedures, coordinate with local law enforcement, and ensure staff members are aware of protocols for handling potential hoax threats.
   
2. FSA Electronic Announcement GENERAL 26-67, December 2026 Federal Student Aid Training Conference – Registration Information (Updated Oct. 28, 2026) – Registration is now open for the December 2026 Federal Student Aid Training Conference. While the conference will be held in person, ED said session recordings and materials will be available for on-demand viewing on the conference website after the event.
   
3. FSA Electronic Announcement ANN-26-22, Online Training Course – New Learning Tracks for OBBBA Implementation (Updated Oct. 15, 2026) – ED has expanded its One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) implementation training resources with new self-paced learning tracks available through the FSA Training Center. Institutions can use these courses to stay informed about upcoming program and regulatory changes resulting from OBBBA implementation.
   
4. FSA Electronic Announcement APP-26-14, Final 2027-28 FAFSA PDF Form, FAFSA Form for Incarcerated Applicants, and FAFSA Submission Summary – The final 2027–28 FAFSA PDF form, FAFSA form for incarcerated applicants, and FAFSA Submission Summary have been released. Institutions should review these materials to prepare staff communications, outreach efforts, and processing workflows for the upcoming award year.

Please contact us if you have questions or would like to discuss how these announcements apply to your institution.