Nicholas Kent, the Education Department’s under secretary for higher education, laid out plans to overhaul the U.S. accreditation system, saying accreditors have failed students, institutions and taxpayers. Kent signaled faster approval paths for new accreditors, tougher outcome accountability for existing ones, and changes intended to lower administrative burden and reduce costs tied to accreditation processes. Kent framed the reforms as market‑style competition among quality‑assurance providers, arguing that more options would drive down costs and improve student outcomes. Negotiated rulemaking sessions are scheduled in April and May to craft the department’s proposals. University leaders and accreditors should prepare for rule changes that could affect federal aid eligibility, institution review cycles and data‑reporting obligations. Legal and compliance teams will need to engage in the negotiated rulemaking process and map potential operational impacts on financial aid, program approval, and institutional reporting.