Conference Objectives

• Assess the impact of federal student loan reform and other federal changes on postsecondary education finance, institutions of higher education, and the students and families they serve.
• Explore new ways that state-based and nonprofit organizations can continue to support postsecondary access and success, including through innovative financing models, capital market strategies, and emerging technologies.
• Strengthen financial wellness initiatives by identifying trends and scalable strategies in financial literacy education, credit counseling, and collections.
• Gain insight into the key trends shaping the future of postsecondary education finance, including the outlook for higher education, legal and regulatory compliance, and new challenges and opportunities. 
• Build lasting connections with peers and industry leaders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on new initiatives. 

Conference Schedule

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Breakfast

7:30am - 8:30am

Welcome Remarks

8:45am - 9:00am

The Outlook For Higher Education: Pressures, Policy, And The Path Forward

9:00am - 10:00am

From shifting enrollment patterns to state budget constraints and institutional closures, the higher education sector is facing mounting challenges. This session will explore how macroeconomic pressures, declining demand for four-year degrees, and new federal policies are reshaping the higher education landscape. Panelists will discuss the implications of the Administration’s executive orders, approach to colleges and universities, risk-sharing provisions, the loss of graduate tuition revenue streams, and emerging workforce demands.

Coffee Break (Sponsored by American Education Services)

10:00am - 10:30am

Economic Outlook

10:30am - 11:15am

Join a leading economist for an analysis of the U.S. economic landscape and the forces shaping change, including passage of the reconciliation bill and tax extenders, impact of Trump tariffs and executive orders, and other political and global factors.

Beyond PLUS: Addressing Gaps In Graduate And Family Financing

11:15am - 12:15pm

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act marks a turning point in federal student lending with the elimination of the Grad PLUS program and lower borrowing limits on Parent PLUS loans. Institutions and lenders alike are working to preserve access to higher education, especially for graduate and professional programs. This session will explore emerging strategies, including institutional lending, public-private partnerships, and creative pricing and underwriting models designed to meet evolving borrower needs.

Luncheon

12:15pm - 1:15pm

States Step Up: Leading In Workforce And Education Innovation

1:15pm - 2:15pm

As the federal role in education and workforce development shifts, states have a growing opportunity to lead. This session will highlight how state leaders are responding to shifting labor market demands and rising affordability challenges, often within tight budget constraints. Panelists will explore the policy levers and cross-sector strategies states are using to strengthen talent pipelines, expand career pathways, and promote access and affordability in a rapidly changing landscape.

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Capital Markets Update And Financing The Future Of Postsecondary Lending

2:15pm - 3:15pm

With the sunset of the Grad PLUS program and other changes to Title IV funding, private capital will play an increasingly critical role in financing postsecondary education. This session will explore current trends in the capital markets, including securitization, investor appetite, and underwriting, especially as they relate to the development and expansion of private graduate loan programs. Speakers will examine the challenges of raising and deploying private capital at scale, structuring products to meet the needs of diverse student populations, and maintaining affordability amid market volatility.

Snack Break

3:15pm - 3:30pm

Remarks from the Deputy Under Secretary of Education

3:30pm - 4:15pm

James P. Bergeron, Deputy Under Secretary of Education and Acting Chief Operating Officer of Federal Student Aid, will provide an overview of the Administration’s higher education priorities. Drawing on decades of experience across federal policy and higher education finance, Bergeron’s leadership brings a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead. His remarks will provide valuable insights and perspective on federal student aid operations and the evolving policy environment.

Speaker: James P. Bergeron, Deputy Under Secretary of Education and Acting Chief Operating Officer of Federal Student Aid

Advancing Financial Wellness: Education, Counseling, And Collections In A Changing Landscape

4:15pm-5:00pm

As federal student loan repayment policies shift so will the needs of borrowers and the role of education and support services in promoting long-term financial wellness. This session will explore how organizations are adapting financial literacy programs, credit counseling, and collections practices to meet the demands of a changing repayment environment. Panelists will share borrower engagement strategies, insights on delinquency and rehabilitation trends, and approaches to scaling effective education and counseling across the public and private loan landscape.

Networking Reception

5:15pm - 6:30pm

EFC Hosted Dinner

6:30pm

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Friday, September 26, 2025

Breakfast

8:00am - 9:00am

Emerging Technologies In Higher Ed Finance: From AI To Blockchain

9:00am - 10:00am

New technologies are rapidly transforming postsecondary education finance and the ways that organizations are supporting students. This session will cover new and innovative uses for artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and other emerging technologies like blockchain and digital credentials, which have the potential to reshape students’ ability to evaluate post-secondary options and locate funding and transform identity verification, credentialing, and loan servicing infrastructure. Attendees will leave with a clear view of what’s already working, what’s on the horizon, and how to assess value and risk in an evolving tech landscape.

Coffee Break (Sponsored by HESC Solutions)

10:00am - 10:15am

Congressional Staff Panel: Federal Perspectives On Education

10:15am - 11:15am

Join key congressional staff for a timely discussion on federal policy developments impacting postsecondary education and its financing. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes substantial changes to higher education and the federal student loan program. This panel will discuss these developments and their potential impact, as well as what additional changes could be coming. Attendees will gain insight into the priorities driving congressional action in the wake of budget reconciliation and what to expect from Capitol Hill in the months ahead.

Legal And Regulatory Update: Navigating A Changing Compliance Landscape

11:15am - 12:00pm

The rapidly evolving regulatory environment is raising new compliance challenges for lenders, servicers, and institutions. This session will review recent developments at the state level, as state regulators and attorneys general increase scrutiny and enforcement activity, particularly around underwriting practices, consumer protections, and the use of AI. Panelists will also consider how anticipated federal budget reductions may shift enforcement priorities and what patterns are emerging from recent examinations and regulatory actions