The U.S. Department of Education is preparing another wave of regulatory changes that could reshape federal grant administration and increase federal leverage over higher education oversight. Under a stated regulatory agenda, the department plans a proposed rule this month that would make it easier for new accrediting agencies to form and for institutions to change accreditors. It would also expand accreditor responsibilities to include oversight of campus policies tied to free speech and intellectual diversity. The department also expects to amend regulations governing when and how schools can be cut off from federal financial aid if they violate civil rights laws and do not voluntarily comply, aiming to “streamline” the process. Separately, the broader policy environment—including STATS and earnings accountability—suggests enforcement and reporting requirements will continue to tighten, increasing compliance burdens for colleges and universities while expanding the federal role in accreditation and grant governance.