Program Accountability Reporting

2026 Reporting (FVT/GE or early STATS)

The 2026 reporting cycle is the final submission under the FVT/GE framework, or the first cycle reported under early-implemented STATS.

Key Dates and Timeline

• July 1, 2026: FVT/GE and early implemented STATS data collection opens
• August 31, 2026: Effective date for the new program-participation-agreement terms that tie Direct Loan eligibility to the STATS earnings test
• October 1, 2026: Final deadline for submission

The Completers List review and correction process runs on its own, earlier timeline. Institutions generally have about 60 days from the draft list’s distribution to submit corrections, separate from the October 1 data-submission deadline.

What Must Be Reported

Institutions are expected to submit program-level data elements generally consistent with prior FVT/GE reporting cycles. Depending on program type and prior reporting requirements, submissions may include:

• Student enrollment and completion data
• Program-level cost and tuition information
• Financial aid and debt-related metrics
• Earnings-related data (as defined through federal sources and calculations)

Early Implementation of STATS for 2026

Every institution follows one of two paths for the October 1, 2026 deadline:

• Continue under FVT/GE. Report all seven of the fields listed below. FSA expects any information reported to be accurate.
• Early-implement STATS. Omit some or all of the seven fields listed below. FSA treats this as your institution’s indication of intent to early-implement.

This isn’t a form or a separate election — your path is determined simply by what you report.

The seven fields now optional for the October 1, 2026 cycle are:

• Transitional/Standard Reporting Flag
• Student’s enrollment status as of the first day of enrollment in the program
• Program attendance status during the award year
• Program attendance status date during the award year
• Residency tuition status by state or district
• Date the student completed or withdrew from the program
• Total amount of institutional debt during the student’s entire enrollment in the program

 All other fields remain required under either path. Because the decision is made by what an institution does (or does not) report, AIR recommends documenting the reporting approach internally in writing before submission — including who was involved, what guidance was consulted, and how the decision is reflected in the file — regardless of which path an institution chooses.

For a phase-by-phase walkthrough of this decision — including how to document it internally — see AIR’s 2026 FVT/GE and STATS Reporting Readiness Checklist under Documents and Publications, below.

Documents and Publications

AIR Resources

AIR-authored resources reflecting the June 29, 2026 final rule:

• STATS Final Rule Summary for AIR Members — what the final rule does, what changed from the proposed rule, and what it means for institutional Title IV eligibility.
• 2026 FVT/GE and STATS Reporting Readiness Checklist — a phase-by-phase checklist for the October 1, 2026 reporting cycle, including the early-implementation decision.

Resources from the U.S. Department of Education

Announcements

• (Issued on 7/1/2026) FSA updated NSLDS Professional Access guidance for FVT/GE and STATS, listing the seven data elements now optional for the October 1, 2026 reporting cycle and confirming that all institutions must submit either STATS or FVT/GE data by that date. Electronic Announcement, July 1, 2026 for details.
• (Issued on 6/29/2026) The U.S. Department of Education announced the final STATS and Earnings Accountability rule and released a fact sheet summarizing its major provisions. ED Fact Sheet, June 29, 2026 and the Department press release.
• (Published 7/1/2026) The final rule was published in the Federal Register. Federal Register final rule, July 1, 2026 for the official regulatory text and effective dates.

Prior-cycle reference:

• (Issued on 7/9/2025) The U.S. Department of Education reminded schools that Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) data reporting for the 2025 cycle began on July 1, 2025, and runs through October 1, 2025. The most recently completed award year for the 2025 reporting period is the 2024–25 award year, which ended on June 30, 2025. Announcement GE-25-03 for details.
• (Issued on 2/14/2025) The U.S. Department of Education extended the deadline for evaluating Completers’ Lists and reporting data associated with Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) until September 30, 2025. Announcement GE-25-02 for details.

Links

• Federal Register: STATS and Earnings Accountability final rule (July 1, 2026)
• ED Fact Sheet on the final rule (June 29, 2026)
• Federal Student Aid’s (FSA) Knowledge Center includes the following FVT/GE resources
• NSLDS Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) User Guide 
• FVT/GE Topics page lists the federal register notices, dear colleague letters, electronic announcements, and frequently asked questions.
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Email for questions: GE24@ed.gov
• Subscribe for daily or weekly updates at: https://fsapartners.ed.gov/subscriptions

Peer-to-Peer Resources

AIR Advocacy and News