DOE Releases Major Accreditation Proposal | |
On August 20, the Department of Education (DOE) published its long-awaited Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, following negotiated rulemaking sessions held earlier this year.
The proposal would make substantial changes to the federal recognition of accrediting agencies, including requirements governing relationships between accreditors and affiliated professional or trade associations.
AAVMC is closely reviewing the proposal and will continue working with member institutions, higher education partners, and policymakers as these policies develop.
Looking for more? Review the Council for Higher Education Accreditation's statement on this development.
| House Passes CR, Delays OMB Grant Rules | |
On September 1, the House passed the Senate-amended continuing resolution (CR), sending the measure to President Trump, who is expected to sign it into law. The CR would maintain federal funding through December 11, averting a government shutdown at the start of FY 2027 while Congress continues negotiations on full-year appropriations bills.
Importantly, the measure also temporarily blocks the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from implementing its proposed changes to federal grant regulations, delaying changes that could significantly affect the administration and oversight of federal research grants.
| | Meanwhile, the DOE and National Science Foundation have separately proposed agency-level policies that incorporate several elements of OMB’s approach. | | New Federal Loan Limits Take Effect | |
Major changes to federal student lending took effect on July 1, creating a new financing environment for veterinary students.
Updated loan limits:
- New professional students: $50,000 annually / $200,000 aggregate.
- Graduate students: $20,500 annually / $100,000 aggregate.
The changes also eliminate new Grad PLUS borrowing, making the professional-degree designation particularly important for veterinary students.
AAVMC has created a working group on Student Financial Aid to further inform advocacy efforts and identify key data needed to strengthen AAVMC’s engagement with policymakers.
| DHS Finalizes Rule Ending "Duration of Status" | | |
In July, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized a rule that changes how the federal government manages F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I nonimmigrants. The rule replaces the longstanding “duration of status” framework with admission for a fixed period, generally limited to four years.
Students and scholars who need additional time to complete their programs will now need to request an extension of stay. The rule also adds requirements related to academic program changes and other aspects of F-1 and J-1 participation.
Read More: For additional context and analysis of the rule’s potential impact on international students, click here.
| | Administration Proposes $103,265 H-1B Visa Fee | | |
On August 24, the DHS proposed a new $103,265 fee for certain cap-subject H-1B petitions, following a federal court decision that struck down the administration’s earlier $100,000 fee.
The proposed fee would not apply to cap-exempt petitions, including many filed by colleges, universities, and nonprofit or government research organizations. However, it could affect international veterinary graduates seeking employment with private practices, companies and other cap-subject employers.
AAVMC will continue to monitor the proposal and its potential impact on the veterinary workforce.
| | Farm Bill Advances in Congress | | |
The House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act ("Farm Bill") of 2026 on April 30, while the Senate Agriculture Committee released its “Farm Bill 2.0” discussion draft in July.
Both proposals include provisions affecting veterinary workforce programs, agricultural research, animal health, and rural communities. Click the respective links below for more details.
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The existing 2018 Farm Bill authorities have been extended through September 30, 2026, increasing pressure on lawmakers to resolve differences between the House and Senate approaches this fall.
AAVMC will continue to monitor Farm Bill negotiations and advocate for policies that strengthen the veterinary workforce, support veterinary education and agricultural research, and protect animal health and food security.
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Tick Act Passes the House
A longtime AAVMC-supported priority moved closer to enactment this summer as the Senate passed the Kay Hagan Tick Act on August 6 and sent the bill to the House for consideration to reauthorize through FY 2030.
The bipartisan legislation would continue federal coordination, research, surveillance, and public health programs addressing tick-borne and other vector-borne diseases.
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Advocacy Letters
AAVMC works closely with organizations interested in advancing academic veterinary medicine, food security, and public health. The letters below reflect some of that recent activity.
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Get Involved: AAVMC Governmental Affairs
Members of the academic veterinary medicine community play an important role in shaping federal policy.
Ways to Engage
- Participate in AAVMC advocacy initiatives.
- Meet with congressional offices.
- Share research and institutional impact stories.
- Attend policy briefings and advocacy events.
Track Key Legislation
Contact Kevin Cain, AAVMC Senior Director for Governmental Affairs, with any comments, questions, or suggestions about our program.
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Stay Up-to-Date with AAVMC
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Subscribe to AAVMC Advocacy Insights newsletter here. Read past issues here.
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AAVMC strives to create a culture of diversity and inclusion in every dimension of academic veterinary medicine. To foster this goal, the photographs and illustrations in our communications programs are aspirational, and do not necessarily reflect the levels of diversity and inclusion that currently exist.
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