1. “Suggestions” in Trump’s FY19 Budget Request
Elimination of subsidized student loans, “saving” $28.5 billion over 10 years
Reformed Federal Work-Study program with funds allocated to schools based in part on enrollment of Pell recipients
Creation of a single income-driven repayment plan
Institutions could then fund employment, internships, or other programs if the placements were career or academically relevant
Elimination of Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
Elimination of the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
1-percent increase for veteran and dependent benefits, including GI Bill educational assistance

2. Status of the House PROSPER Act
Introduced
12/1/17
Passed House Committee 12/12/17
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by
president
Passed House Committee on Education and Work along party lines
No hearings, despite higher education community call for more analysis
Democrats support some components like the expansion of Pell grants, but oppose the slashing other aid programs
Democrats oppose the bill
“HEA has always been considered in this committee in a bipartisan way. Unfortunately, [the bill] cannot be considered bipartisan because it chooses clear winners and losers. Under this bill, corporate interests are put first and students are put last.”
— Bobby Scott (D-VA)
Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
Bill sponsor
$15 billion in federal student aid over the next decade would be lost if the PROSPER Act became law, according to a CBO report published Feb. 6, 2018
Brett Guthrie (R-KY)
Bill co-sponsor
Source: House.gov; Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, “CBO estimates show House higher ed bill could hit student loan borrowers hard, Washington Post, Feb. 7, 2018; Education and the Workforce Committee Democrats: Press Releases, Dec. 13, 2017.

3. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Senate’s Approach to Reauthorization
Multiple hearings
Affordability (2/6)
Accountability and risk (1/30)
Access and innovation (1/25)
Simplification and transparency (1/18)
FAFSA simplification (11/28)
Policy papers
Framework for accountability (R)
Principles to guide reauthorization (D)
Aiming for April markup?
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

4. Allows Perkins Loans to sunset
Forces ED to provide initial findings of program reviews within 90 days
Allows Perkins Loans to sunset
Rescinds Obama- era consumer protection regulations
Streamlines repayment plans; eliminates Public Service Loan Forgiveness
PROSPER Act
Repeals SEOG, TEACH grants, FIPSE, and more
Eliminates subsidized loans for undergrads
Replaces Direct Loan Program with new Federal ONE Loan Program
Expands FWS, revises funding formula, and eliminates graduate student eligibility

5. Aid Like a Paycheck
Core Concern Paying students all of their aid in the beginning of a term makes it difficult for them to budget and control spending.
Credit balance refunds would be paid to students in equal monthly or weekly installments
May be unequal to adjust for varying costs, such as upfront charges for tuition and fees
First installment may be paid as early as 30 days before first day of classes
Must be paid no later than 30 days after the start of classes
Details unclear