Policy Briefs September 2026

On September 30, the US Department of Education and US Department of the Treasury announced the launch of a new Defaulted Loans Support Center, a new online resource that gives American with defaulted federal student loans a way to understand their options, address default, and return to repayment. Through the Support Center, borrowers can:

» Understand the consequences of default;  

» Compare available paths out of default;  

» Apply online for loan rehabilitation or consolidation;  

» Make a payment on a defaulted loan; and  

» Review repayment plans and loan-discharge options.  

Borrowers can also complete the loan rehabilitation application online, upload documents, review an estimated payment, electronically sign their agreement, and track their progress without leaving StudentAid.gov. Additionally, borrowers can use the portal to apply online to consolidate and then access the temporary 1% interest rate reduction by enrolling in auto pay. Read more.

On September 18, CSWE submitted comments responding to the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) proposed accreditation rules, outlining concerns with ED’s proposed “separate and independent” regulations, administrative and fiscal responsibilities that would require the Board of Accreditation to completely sever from CSWE, and the procedures for submitting applications for recognition and renewal of recognition and for review of an expansion or contraction of scope, compliance reports, or increases in headcount enrollment. 

As a reminder, on August 20, (ED) released a notice of proposed rule (NPRM) reflecting the department’s plans to reform the federal accreditation framework. The proposed rule follows negotiated rulemaking conducted by the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) Committee, which met in April and May of 2026 to craft accreditation regulations, with comments due September 21. ED anticipates that the final rule will be released before November 1, 2026. The NPRM indicates that the earliest effective date for changes would likely be July 1, 2027. A press release from ED can be found here.

CSWE will continue to monitor the development and implementation of ED’s proposed accreditation framework and is prepared to engage with the department on accreditation policy to ensure that students in social work programs receive quality education.

On September 15, CSWE hosted a congressional briefing on “AI and Mental Health: Opportunities, Risks, and the Role of Social Work,” bringing together social work educators, researchers, practitioners, advocates, and congressional staff to examine the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in mental health and social services. Tashia Roberson-Wing, MSW, Senior Legislative Assistant for Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-1), gave opening remarks, with Dr. Desmond Upton Patton providing the keynote address. Following was a panel discussion featuring Dr. Tova Walsh, Dr. Sebrena Jackson, Dr. Ruopeng An, Dr. Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW, and Emmanuel Adaranijo, MSW.  Panelists discussed how AI is changing the social work profession and behavioral health services, opportunities for using AI to strengthen care and support social workers, challenges and potential harms associated with AI, and how schools of social work and the broader profession can prepare the workforce for an AI-enabled future. The panel also highlighted the importance of protecting vulnerable populations and explored recommendations for Congress.

The event concluded with CSWE presenting Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12) with the “Distinguished Leadership Award for Social Work Education” in recognition of her longstanding support for social work education and the profession. The award was accepted by congressional staff on her behalf.

September 3, 2026: CSWE has joined a coalition of national organizations—including Protect Borrowers, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Association of Social Workers, and others—collecting stories from student loan borrowers impacted by new rules under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). These new federal loan rules are reshaping repayment options and approximately 7.5 million borrowers are being moved off the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan. Estimates suggest that the average borrower could see annual loan costs rise by more than $4,000. Stories, shared with permission, will help illustrate to policymakers, media, and the public real-world impacts of OBBBA cuts. Have a student loan story to share, or know someone who does? Submit it here to help make sure these stories are heard.

On September 1, 2026, House of Representatives passed the Senate version of a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government at fiscal year (FY) 2026 levels through December 11 and averting a September 30 government shutdown. The final vote tally was 370-48, with 19 House Republicans and 29 Democrats voting against the bill.  The CR now awaits signature by President Trump. At the time of writing, the Senate has not yet released any of its FY 2027 appropriations bills, although it is anticipated that the Senate will release funding allocations when they return September 14. CSWE will continue to monitor FY 2027 funding negotiations in the House and Senate.