On November 12, the higher education community submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Education asking for additional resources to help institutions complete the Gainful Employment and Financial Value Transparency reporting requirements by the January 15, 2025, deadline. The letter highlights several key areas where further clarification is needed from the Department, including specific data reporting, release of key metrics, and the release of potential future reporting requirements.
On August 23, the higher education community submitted written comments to the U.S. Department of Education on a NPRM on distance education, return of Title IV funds (R2T4), and the Federal TRIO programs. The community comment letter urges the Department of Education to review specific sections within the proposed regulations, particularly those related to distance education and the return of Title IV funds by students.
In a letter to the U.S. State Department, the higher education community expresses serious concerns about delays in visa processing at U.S. consulates in India. The community requests expedited processing to prevent academic program disruptions for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The National Association of Colleges and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and other higher education associations submitted comments to the Internal Revenue Service on proposed changes to reporting requirements related to the Form 1098-T, as well as definitions of the education tax credits.
On April 22, the higher education community submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Education on the information collection request regarding financial value transparency (FVT) and gainful employment (GE) reporting requirements. The letter requests that reporting requirements be extended past the October 1 reporting deadline commensurate with the delays associated with the FAFSA.
On March 25, the higher education community submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Education on the proposed rule regarding the limited comment period for the National Resource Centers (NRC) Program, and the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships Program.
On December 15, the U.S. Department of State responded to the higher education community’s request for an extension of interview waiver provisions for F and J student visa applications. On December 21, the Secretary of State issued new guidance allowing flexibility regarding the in-person interview process for certain applicants.
On December 22, the higher education community submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on proposed regulations surrounding modernizing H-1b requirements and flexibility within the F-1 program.
On November 7, CUPA-HR and the higher education community submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor. The community asked DOL to hold-off on updating the overtime salary thresholds and urged the removal of an automatic three-year update to the salary threshold.
On October 11, CGS joined a coalition letter to the U.S. Department of Labor asking for a 60-day extension on the comment period for the proposed overtime rule.
On June 20, CGS submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Education on proposed Gainful Employment and Financial Value Transparency regulations.
On June 20, the higher education community submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Education on proposed Gainful Employment and Financial Value Transparency regulations.
On June 5, the Higher Education community submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Education concerning Section 117 foreign gifts and contracts reporting requirements.
On June 5, the Higher Education community submitted comments to the Office of Science and Technology Policy on the draft Research Security Programs Standard Requirement which was developed as part of NSPM-33.
On March 30, comments were submitted to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona requesting rescinding the updated guidance on third-party servicers due to the harmful consequences of the expanded definition of the term.
On March 16, CGS and 14 organizations sent a letter to Secretary of Education Cardona providing input on possible changes to the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter on the incentive compensation prohibition and bundled services exception.
On March 15, CGS sent a letter to the National Science Foundation regarding implementation of the Chips and Science Act, including the importance of Graduate STEM Education programs and the inclusion of mentoring and professional development plans for graduate students.
On March 13, CGS signed on to a coalition letter regarding the proposed increase in fees charged by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for international students.
On March 1, CGS sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona encouraging the Department of Education to make graduate education a priority.
On February 27, CGS signed on to a letter addressing concerns of foreign influence and research security.
On February 23, CGS signed on to a letter that requests the Education Department extend the period for institutions to submit comments on Requirements and Responsibilities for Third-Party Servicers (TPS) and Institutions and the May 1 institutional reporting deadline.
On February 10, CGS submitted public comment to the Department of Education regarding their Request for Information Regarding
Public Transparency for Low-Financial Value Postsecondary Programs.
On February 10, CGS submitted public comment to the Department of Education regarding supporting those with graduate student loans in the REPAYE plan.
On October 27, the Coalition for National Science funding sent a letter to the Biden Administration to request $15.65 billion in NSF research and education investments in FY24 as authorized in the CHIPS and Science Act.
On October 20, CGS sent a letter to the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy regarding the importance of investing in graduate education when implementing the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
On September 15, CGS and 14 organizations sent a letter thanking the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs for the efforts made to ensure efficient visa processing during the COVID-19 pandemic and urging to make these policies and processes permanent where possible.
On September 12, CGS and nearly 50 higher education organizations submitted public comments regarding the Education Department’s proposed Title IX rule. The proposed regulations would make several important changes, including protecting students and employees from all forms of sex discrimination, providing full protection from sex-based harassment, and protecting LGBTQI+ students from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
On August 12, CGS signed on to comments to a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding public service loan forgiveness.
On August 12, the PSLF Coalition provided comments to a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding public service loan forgiveness.
On August 10, CGS provided suggestions on the ways in which the National Science Foundation and the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development National Coordination Office can update the Federal Big Data Research and Development Strategic Plan.
On February 28, the higher education community submitted public comments to the State Department regarding the increase of fees for nonimmigrant visas. While we understand the argument made by the State Department for raising these fees, we ask that this be done in a thoughtful manner and any additional resources be spent in improving efficiency and visa processing times for our international students and scholars.
On November 29, the higher education community submitted public comments to the Department of Homeland Security regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Since the program was established in 2012 it has not undergone any formal rulemaking. This is an important step to further enshrine a program that many in the United States, including employers and institutions of higher education, have come to depend on, and allows qualifying undocumented people brought to this country at a young age to remain here
On November 5, the Coalition for National Science Funding sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Science and Technology Policy regarding increased funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Fiscal Year 2023. NSF plays a critical role in advancing our nation’s competitiveness and addressing research and education challenges related to many Biden Administration priorities.
In this latest letter to Secretary Antony Blinken, the higher education community asks the U.S. State Department to prioritize visa appointments for Afghan students and scholars and to grant them the needed flexibility in determining non-immigrant intent for F-1 and J-1 visa applicants.
On November 3, CGS joined a coalition letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in support of prioritizing and strengthening the Department of Education’s international and foreign language education and research role.
On August 25, CGS joined a community letter to the Office of Science and Technology policy advocating the extension of evacuation assistance to STEM professionals with ties to international scientific networks.
On July 20, CGS joined a community letter to the Department of State (DOS) regarding the current travel restrictions due to COVID-19 and seeking clarification on the national interest exemption (NIE).
On July 1, CGS joined a community letter to the Department of Education providing written comment on topics suggested by the Department as part of the Department’s intention to pursue negotiated rulemaking on programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
On June 10, CGS joined a community letter to the Department of State requesting an updated brief on Presidential Proclamation 10043, which suspends and limits certain new and existing nonimmigrant visas.
On June 10, CGS joined the higher education community on comments to the Department of Education with recommended changes to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
On April 19, CGS joined a community letter to the White House Domestic Policy Council in support of S. 847, the Student Loan Tax Elimination Act, which would eliminate costly origination fees on federal student loans disbursed on or after March 27, 2020
CGS Comments on NIH UNITE Initiative (4/8/21)
On April 8, CGS submitted comments to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) UNITE Initiative in response to a Request for Information inviting insights and suggestions to advance and strengthen racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in the biomedical research workforce and to advance health disparities and health equity research.
On March 24, CGS joined a letter led by Research!America, requesting President Biden champion the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act (H.R.869/S.289), which would provide $25 billion for research relief.
On March 18, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter recommending how the Department of State (DOS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can support international students’ return to campuses and institutions in the fall 2021 semester.
On February 3, CGS joined a letter congratulating Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on his confirmation and sharing how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can support international students and scholars.
On January 29, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter to the Biden Administration outlining the ways that higher education institutions (IHEs) could be a resource in the fight against the COVID pandemic.
On January 28, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter to Acting Secretary Rosenfelt asking that DREAMers and international students be made eligible for emergency student funds under HEERF II.
On January 27, CGS joined an introductory letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken including higher education priorities for international students and scholars.
CGS Joins Community Letter to DHS on OPT (1/26/21)
On January 26, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requesting support for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT applicants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On January 25, CGS joined the Taskforce on American Innovation coalition in sending an introductory letter to President Biden including priorities for research and development.