The Bruman Group, PLLC

09/01/2026

This afternoon the House passed the Senate-approved continuing resolution (CR) that will keep the government open and funded through December 11th. As a reminder, this legislation also prohibits the Office of Management and Budget from finalizing its Uniform Guidance revisions while the CR is in place. (The White House endorsed the Senate legislation, which indicates that OMB is likely not ready to issue a final rule by its Oct 1st goal date and makes the provision a non-issue for the administration.)

The soonest OMB can now issue a final rule is December 12th, and debate over the proposed revisions is likely to resurface later this year as negotiations on final appropriations continue. The CR now heads to the President's desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.

Federal agencies will be funded into December, and the federal ban on intoxicating h**p will be delayed.

08/31/2026

A significant win for our client, Chicago Public Schools, and the students and educators it serves! After the U.S. Department of Education rescinded millions of dollars in federal magnet school funding, CPS challenged the action in federal court, arguing that the agency failed to follow the process required by law. The case has now been settled, with the Department agreeing to restore funding.

We were proud to serve as part of CPS's legal team in securing this outcome!

https://tinyurl.com/37nvk6h8

According to court documents, CPS should have officially gotten those funds back by Friday.

08/28/2026

Is your district's student privacy framework ready for increased federal scrutiny?

The U.S. Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office released a Back-to-School Dear Colleague Letter this week that places significant emphasis on parental rights and consent requirements under FERPA and PPRA, including student surveys, mental health screening practices, access to instructional materials, and parent access to student records. The letter also signals heightened federal attention to LEA compliance in these areas.

With student privacy, civil rights enforcement, and parental rights continuing to evolve, districts should be evaluating whether their current policies, procedures, vendor agreements, and compliance frameworks remain aligned with federal expectations.

We'll be discussing developments like these during our September 10th webinar, including emerging compliance risks and practical steps institutions can take to prepare for increased scrutiny involving student rights, discrimination complaints, and privacy obligations.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/uep9v4da

08/11/2026

ICYMI: Over the weekend, the Senate approved a continuing resolution to extend federal funding until Dec. 11th. Notably, that legislation would also pause implementation of proposed UGG changes for the duration of the CR.

The legislation now heads to the House, where lawmakers will have to decide whether to push forward with their own "clean" CR that would extend funding until Dec. 4th, or to take up the Senate-passed bill. The House is in recess until August 31st, and the Senate will return to session mid-September.

08/06/2026

📢 Good news! We've extended Early Bird Pricing for our Fall Forum!

If you've been considering joining us this fall, now is the perfect time to secure your spot and take advantage of discounted registration rates before they expire.

Federal grants management is evolving fast. New Uniform Guidance changes, shifting oversight, and updated compliance expectations are creating both challenges and opportunities across education and workforce programs. If you are current grants administrator, you do not want to miss our fall forum!

https://tinyurl.com/2t7e7j9b

08/03/2026

Check out this month's Bruman Bulletin to catch up on recent federal happenings, as well as our upcoming events!

The Bruman team makes me a better leader! I am empowered by knowing that what you share is in line with doing the THINGS RIGHT because not only do our students deserve our best but so do the citizens that fund these federal programs through taxes.

07/23/2026

We're excited to partner with NAFEPA: National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators to offer the EDGAR Academy Introductory Pre-Session, held in conjunction with the NCFEPA Conference in Greensboro, NC on October 20, 2026!

This full-day, in-person workshop is a valuable opportunity for federal programs, finance, and education professionals to build a strong foundation in EDGAR and the Uniform Grants Guidance (UGG) before the NCFEPA Conference begins. Participants will gain practical insights into federal grants management, compliance requirements, internal controls, allowable costs, procurement, audits, and other critical topics impacting federal education funds. Bruman experts will also be covering the proposed (or final) UGG changes released this summer!

Attendees will receive a copy of The Bruman Group's 6th Edition Administrator's Handbook on EDGAR and have the opportunity to engage in discussions around real-world compliance challenges and best practices.

📅 October 20, 2026
📍 Embassy Suites by Hilton Greensboro, NC
🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gMfaiwTQ

07/23/2026

ED has issued two final rules rescinding all portions of its Title VI regulations that address disparate impact, including eliminating the OCR Guidelines for CTE programs which require States to maintain a methods of administration to ensure nondiscrimination.

MOA rescission press release: https://tinyurl.com/jd5a338a

Other Title VI rescissions: https://tinyurl.com/pe9ker76

Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s (the Department’s) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced significant deregulatory actions to ensure equal educational opportunities and treatment for students across the country.

07/01/2026

Big week in higher ed policy – four major developments worth watching 👇

It’s been an active stretch in Washington for higher education, as the administration works to implement the most significant higher ed overhaul in years:

🔹 USDE clarifies “professional degree” definition in light of District Court's preliminary injunction: https://tinyurl.com/4v9xbjyv

🔹 Final accountability rule released, establishing a uniform standard across nearly all programs and institutions (most of this rule will not take effect until July 1, 2027): https://tinyurl.com/wn2b9nf2

🔹 Courts block PSLF eligibility restrictions (this rule was set to go into effect today): https://tinyurl.com/yc69by38

🔹 Other higher ed regs go into effect today: (1) new student loan caps (except professional degree portions impacted by litigation) and repayment plan overhaul, and (2) institutions can begin implementing the Workforce Pell program.

06/30/2026

The Supreme Court ruled today that States can prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women's and girls' sports teams. More from SCOTUSblog:

(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that states can exclude transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ sports teams. The justices ruled unanimously that laws enacted by Idaho and West Virginia do not violate federal civil rights laws, but they divided over whether ...