Webinar: Preparing for Federal Earnings Accountability: What Institutions and States Need to Know
The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) and the American Council on Education (ACE) will host a webinar, “Preparing for Federal Earnings Accountability: What Institutions and States Need to Know,” on November 19, 2026 at 1:00 pm ET.
New federal accountability rules will soon tie programs’ eligibility for federal student loans to the earnings of their graduates. Many institutions, systems, and states are still working out what the new framework measures, what happens to programs that fall short, and how to prepare before the U.S. Department of Education releases its first results next year.
This virtual discussion will start with a short primer on the federal earnings accountability framework, covering what is measured, the consequences for low-earnings programs, and the Department’s timeline and process. Then a panel of institutional, system, and state leaders will share how they are preparing for the implementation of the new accountability policy. Panelists will discuss how they are using data to assess program performance, the steps they’re taking to ensure their programs deliver strong economic returns for students, and how states and systems can support institutions with data, workforce partnerships, and policy.
Join us to get clear answers about the new requirements, hear from peers leading this work, and leave with concrete steps your institution, system, or state can take to prepare for this new accountability policy and strengthen the value of your programs. The session will include time for audience Q&A.
Featuring:
- Peter Nwosu, President, State University of New York at Oswego
- Tristan Denley, Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Innovation, Louisiana Board of Regents
- Matthew Gianneschi, President and CEO, Colorado Mountain College
The discussion will be hosted by Diane Cheng, IHEP Vice President of Policy and Jon Fansmith, ACE Senior Vice President of Government Relations and National Engagement.
Can’t attend the webinar? You should still register—all registrants will receive a recording of the webinar and a copy of the presentation slides.
