The U.S. Department of Education signaled plans to lower regulatory barriers to institutional consolidations, proposing changes to make merger pathways less cumbersome for financially stressed colleges. Officials said the current rules slow down transactions that could stabilize colleges at risk of closure and impede timely protection of students. ED officials framed the guidance as a response to rising financial distress across the sector and signaled faster review processes and reduced paperwork for qualifying mergers. Trustees and institutional leaders should expect revised application procedures and an emphasis on demonstrating student protection and academic continuity as the department seeks to accelerate approvals.