Federal Education officials issued guidance urging colleges to lower student‑loan delinquency and default rates ahead of major repayment reforms expected this summer and warned institutions that poor outcomes could affect federal aid eligibility. The department provided ‘best practices’ for default prevention and highlighted institutional responsibilities for borrower outreach and data tracking. Separately, Washington is tightening oversight around repayment metrics and contemplating measures to hold institutions accountable for outcomes. Campus finance and enrollment executives should expect intensified federal scrutiny, new reporting expectations and potential links between repayment performance and future access to federal aid. (Clarification: ‘Default’ and ‘nonrepayment’ measures are calculated on cohort timelines and affect institutional risk designations under federal rules.)