Dear Colleagues,

Please find a federal government update from our teams.

CU Campuses Comment on OMB Uniform Guidance Proposal
CU Anschutz, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver each submitted comments to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on July 13 on a proposed rule that would modify the federal government’s guidance for federal financial assistance. . The proposed regulation includes changes to the Uniform Guidance in Title 2, Part 200, which is a framework of policies that standardize the management of federal grants, cooperative agreements and other federal assistance. OMB received nearly 500,000 public comments on the proposal. 

CU Federal Relations shared the university's comments with the Colorado congressional delegation. Many Colorado lawmakers also weighed in with OMB directly, including Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, who urged OMB to rescind the rule in a letter signed by 47 Senate Democrats. Other congressional leaders, including Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), have also expressed concern about the proposed regulation. OMB must now review and consider the public's feedback. OMB intends to finalize the rule by Oct. 1. CU Federal Relations will track the rule as it progresses through the government and consider congressional and other strategies to communicate where we have concerns with the proposed changes. 

DHS Publishes Final Rule that Eliminates Duration of Status
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule in the Federal Register on July 17 that changes how international student and exchange visitors are admitted into the U.S.  The regulation eliminates "duration of status" admissions for F-1 and J-1 visas, which have been in effect since 1978, and limits admissions to a fixed period - not to exceed four years - with limited exceptions. Visa holders must now formally petition U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for any extensions to complete their academic program. The policy also implements "strict limitations" on academic changes. The rule is effective Sept. 15, 2026. F-1 students admitted to the U.S. before the Sept. 15, 2026 date, can remain through their program end date, not to exceed Nov. 14, 2030.

CU has engaged on this issue since the policy was first introduced via a proposed rule in August 2025. All four CU campuses submitted public comments urging DHS to rescind the policy that fall. Read those comments here: CU Anschutz, CU Boulder, CU Denver, UCCS. CU Federal Relations and General Counsel are analyzing the 156-page final rule and coordinating with university leadership as well as campus issue and implementation experts.

NSF Unveils New Policy Restricting Foreign Collaborations
The National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a Dear Colleague Letter on July 8 that previews a forthcoming policy that will prohibit U.S. research collaborations with restricted entities on lists maintained by the U.S. Departments of War, State, Commerce, Treasury and other federal agencies. Many of the restricted entities include Chinese universities, national laboratories and research institutions, reports Science. NSF says the policy is being implemented because current research security risk mitigation policies are "not sufficient." The new policy applies to agency personnel and all NSF-funded grants and contracts. NSF is inviting public comments on the policy, which is effective on Oct. 1.

Update on DOJ Lawsuits Challenging In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Maryland on July 16 challenging a state law that allows in-state tuition for undocumented students. Maryland is the 13th state sued by the DOJ over similar state laws, following new lawsuits filed against Massachusetts and Rhode Island last month, which also seek to halt access to state assistance and scholarships for undocumented students.

Colorado grants in-state tuition and financial aid to undocumented students through its Advancing Students for a Stronger Tomorrow (ASSET) law, which was passed in 2013 and most recently updated in 2022. To date, the federal government has not filed a lawsuit challenging Colorado’s law.   

The Federal Relations and General Counsel teams are actively monitoring developments at the federal level. We are working closely with the President and Chancellors, as well as the Colorado congressional delegation to champion CU priorities. We are committed to keeping you informed. Please visit the CU System Federal Updates and Actions page for up-to-date communications and federal memos.

Danielle Radovich Piper, Sr. VP External Relations and Strategy  
Kerry Tipper, Vice President, University Counsel