FY25 appropriations update
Congress faces critical decisions on federal funding as the current continuing resolution (CR) expires on December 20. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) supports a short-term CR extending into early 2025, enabling a Republican-led Congress and administration to set spending priorities. In contrast, Senate leaders, including incoming Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), are exploring a broader FY25 funding agreement to streamline the legislative agenda for the 119th Congress and President-elect Trump’s priorities.
UNC Public Affairs is actively engaging with key congressional offices to advocate for campus priorities as these discussions progress. We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide timely updates as they become available.
House Appropriations Committee hearing on NIH
On November 19, the House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Committee hosted NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli as the sole witness. This hearing touched upon an earlier NIH reform framework proposed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee this past summer and discussed ways to reorganize and restructure the NIH. The goal was to increase dialogue, understanding, efficiency, and transparency on the agency and its work.
2025-26 FAFSA form now open
The U.S. Department of Education has officially released the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), now available online at fafsa.gov and in paper format. UNC-Chapel Hill participated in beta testing that informed updates to modernize the system, improve functionality, and enhance the user experience. Updated resources are also available to support students, families, counselors, and financial aid professionals, with a focus on first-time applicants and high school seniors. The department encourages students to create a StudentAid.gov account and gather necessary documents before beginning the form.
To further assist applicants, the Federal Student Aid Information Center has expanded staffing and extended hours. In the coming months, additional features such as batch and paper corrections will be introduced. More information and resources can be found at StudentAid.gov.
House passes financial aid bill H.R. 8932
On November 13, the House Rules Committee met and discussed H.R. 8932: A Bill to Establish an Earlier Application Processing Cycle for the FAFSA, also known as the FAFSA Deadline Act. The measure was passed in the House and will now be recommended to the Senate.
The bill would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to make the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available on October 1 the year before the applicant’s planned academic enrollment. Currently, the ED must release the FAFSA by January 1. The goal is to ensure the timely and consistent release of the application for students to complete.
Senate Judiciary Committee advances patent legislation
On November 14, the Senate Judiciary Committee gathered for a full-committee markup and considered various legislation, including three bills that were previously scheduled and postponed, which focus on strengthening the U.S. patent system. The bills that were discussed include:
- S. 2220: Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership (PREVAIL) Act: This act provides reforms to the current rules and procedures at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, such as limiting repeated petitions to secure and advance U.S. technological leadership.
- S. 2140: Patent Eligibility Restoration (PERA) Act: This bill clarifies what inventions are deemed as patent-ineligible and provides specific categorization for ineligible subject matters.
- S. 4713: Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement (IDEA) Act: This piece of legislation will require the director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to collect demographic information for each inventor on a patent application that resides in the U.S.
The goal of these bills is to further foster an innovative ecosystem and enhance the current U.S. patent system. The IDEA Act was voted on and recommended to the Senate floor. No action has been taken on the PERA or PREVAIL acts.