Conference Objectives

• Examine the political, policy, regulatory, and market forces shaping the future of postsecondary education and student finance.
• Evaluate emerging models for financing higher education and workforce development, with a particular focus on graduate and professional education.
• Explore how institutions, states and nonprofits, and policymakers are adapting to a changing higher education landscape, including enrollment challenges, demographic shifts, financial pressures, and evolving student needs.
• Build and strengthen relationships with leaders in the higher education finance industry through the exchange of ideas and information.

Conference Schedule

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Breakfast

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Welcome Remarks

8:30 am - 8:45 am

Higher Education at a Crossroads

8:45 am - 9:15 am

Colleges and universities are navigating unprecedented pressures that are expected to reshape higher education for years to come. Attendees will hear how institutions are adapting to prepare for a higher education landscape that may look very different from today.

Back to the Future: Lessons From Before Grad Plus

9:15 am - 10:00 am

Before Grad PLUS, private lenders were a primary source of financing for many graduate professional education programs. A diverse ecosystem of private loan programs existed, with options that were customized by degree type, and institutions played a significant role in helping students find these loans. In this session, industry veterans will examine the strengths, limitations, and lessons from that era to explore which ideas may help shape a more effective approach to graduate financing today and into the future.

Coffee Break (Sponsored by BofA Securities )

10:00 am - 10:15 am

State Responses to the Graduate Financing Landscape

10:15 am - 11:15 am

During the first months of Award Year 2026-2027, early lessons have emerged about how graduate and professional students are navigating the new financing landscape. This session will examine new state programs and strategies and provide insights into what is working, what challenges have emerged, and how these early experiences may shape the future of graduate education financing.

The New Federal Approach to Postsecondary Success

11:15 am - 12:15 pm

Interagency agreements have introduced a new model for collaboration across education, workforce development, and student aid. Join senior officials from the Departments of Education, Labor, and the Treasury for a discussion of these new partnerships, their respective roles, and the potential opportunities and challenges associated with greater federal coordination.

Luncheon

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm

Keynote: The 2026 Congressional Landscape: What the Voters Are Telling Us

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm

Veteran pollster Dave Sackett of The Tarrance Group will provide a data-driven look at the political environment heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Drawing on polling, voter research, and campaign insights from across the country, Sackett will discuss voter attitudes and the key factors shaping congressional races. Attendees will gain an insider's perspective on the state of play in Congress, the races most likely to determine control of the House and Senate, and the forces likely to influence the political landscape in the years ahead.

Keynote Speaker: Dave Sackett, Partner, The Tarrance Group

Capital Markets Update: Financing Student Lending After Grad Plus

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm

The student loan capital markets continue to evolve in response to federal student loan reform and changes in the private loan marketplace. In this session, industry experts will review recent transactions, discuss investor appetite, assess developments in FFELP portfolio activity, and examine the outlook for financing graduate and professional student lending.

Snack Break

3:15 pm - 3:30 pm

Rebuilding Public Confidence in Higher Education

3:30 pm - 4:15 pm

Many institutions are reevaluating how they attract, support, and retain students. Join higher education leaders for a discussion of how colleges are adapting enrollment strategies, improving price transparency, and rethinking the use of institutional aid to expand access, improve affordability, and rebuild public confidence in higher education.

The Evolving Credit Reporting Landscape

4:15 pm - 5:00 pm

The credit reporting landscape continues to evolve with new industry guidance and changes to consumer reporting practices. This session will explore recent developments, including updates related to bankruptcy reporting and other changes affecting credit files, while providing an overview of how credit bureaus collect, manage, and share consumer data.

Networking Reception (Sponsored by Strada Education Foundation)

5:15 pm - 6:30pm

EFC Hosted Dinner

6:30pm

Friday, September 18, 2026

Breakfast

8:00 am - 9:00am

Beyond Credit Scores: Are Traditional Indicators Effective?

9:00am - 10:00am

As new federal borrowing limits reshape the lending landscape, questions about how to assess repayment ability have taken on new urgency. This session explores new research on the predictive power of traditional credit indicators and examines whether alternative measures can capture borrower success and repayment outcomes.

Coffee Break (Sponsored by American Education Services )

10:00 am - 10:15 am

Congressional Staff Panel

10:15 am - 11:15 am

Join key congressional staff for a timely discussion on federal policy developments impacting postsecondary education and its financing. Attendees will gain insight into the priorities driving congressional action and what to expect from Capitol Hill in the months ahead.

The Courts and Higher Education

11:15 am - 12:00 pm

Court decisions are shaping the federal higher education landscape like never before. This session will cover the most significant pending, prospective, and recently decided cases affecting the Department of Education and other federal agencies, including challenges related to student loan repayment, the definition of professional programs, agency restructuring, and other major cases.