U.S. Department of Education proposes grant rule changes and issues parental rights notice

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed updates to the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) to align with new federal grant guidance. Key changes include moving grant application notices and annual priorities from the Federal Register to Grants.gov. The proposal also seeks to revise discretionary grant criteria, clarify continuation award procedures, and incentivize applicants with lower indirect cost rates.

Additionally, the Department has delayed plans to shift K-12 formula fund distribution to platforms managed by the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services. Instead, the existing G5 system will be used for the October 1 disbursement.

Separately, the Department’s Student Privacy Policy Office issued guidance reminding educational entities that they must respect parental rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The notice warns that failure to allow parents to review educational records or comply with federal laws regarding student privacy and parental notification could result in the loss of federal funding.