Juliana Araujo will open the Symposium by framing the purpose and urgency of this gathering: to understand the structural reset underway in federal student lending, regulatory oversight, private capital engagement, and institutional responsibility. This opening sets the stage for a leadership-focused dialogue that goes beyond traditional industry conferences, blending policy, capital strategy, and execution. Attendees will gain clarity on why 2026 represents a pivotal turning point in student finance, how this Symposium provides a unique, actionable perspective, and the priorities leaders must address immediately to navigate the evolving landscape effectively.

Mark Kantrowitz will deliver a data-driven keynote examining how the Big Beautiful Bill Act and related reforms are fundamentally reshaping the student lending landscape. This session will provide leaders with a clear understanding of the structural shifts in federal lending, repayment dynamics, and aggregate caps, offering actionable insights into borrower outcomes across income segments. Attendees will gain a forward-looking perspective on where structural capital gaps are emerging, which stakeholders are positioned to benefit, which may face exposure, and what the evolving market signals mean for private lenders, institutions, and investors. By connecting policy changes to strategic market implications, this keynote equips industry leaders with the intelligence needed to make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and navigate the post-federal lending era with confidence. 

This opening keynote panel will offer a comprehensive perspective on the evolving education finance ecosystem as federal restructuring takes effect. Industry leaders will explore how the balance between federal oversight and private capital is shifting, shaping both opportunities and challenges across the sector. The discussion will provide insight into where growth will emerge between 2026 and 2028. Participants will examine strategic risks confronting lenders and servicers, from regulatory compliance to operational pressures, and interpret the signals from Washington policymakers that will influence the market landscape. By connecting high-level policy developments with practical implications, the panel will illuminate the path forward for institutions, investors, and service providers navigating this complex environment.

This flagship policy session will explore the statutory and regulatory changes that are reshaping the higher education finance landscape in 2026 . As key provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act begin to take effect, the sector is entering a new phase of federal oversight, enforcement priorities, and compliance expectations. The discussion will focus on the  practical implications of this new framework for the broader education finance ecosystem—including  students, higher education institutions, lenders, and loan servicers—as they adapt to evolving federal rules and shifting governance structures. Panelists will examine several critical areas, including the  major legislative provisions coming into force in 2026, emerging regulatory enforcement priorities, and the evolving balance between federal and state oversight.   

This roundtable will explore the next frontier of private student loan origination as federal caps and evolving policy reshape the market. Panelists will share how leading lenders are recalibrating underwriting strategies, responding to changing borrower needs, and leveraging institutional partnerships to create competitive advantage. Attendees will gain actionable insights into emerging market trends, learn strategies for differentiation, and understand how to anticipate opportunities to position their organizations for sustainable growth. By highlighting both innovation and collaboration, this session equips industry leaders with the knowledge and strategic perspective required to thrive in an evolving student lending landscape. 

This session will explore the evolving refinancing and repayment landscape as the federal Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) reshapes borrower behavior and incentives. Panelists will examine how these reforms are influencing refinancing demand, borrower decision-making, and consolidation strategies across income segments, while highlighting the strategic adjustments lenders are making in pricing, underwriting, and servicing. Attendees will gain actionable insights into emerging refinancing opportunities, identify the borrower segments driving activity, and understand the implications for credit performance and servicing strategies in the years ahead. By connecting regulatory changes to market dynamics and operational strategy, this session equips industry leaders with the knowledge needed to position their organizations for growth, resilience, and competitive advantage in the new student lending environment.

The panel will examine how the reduction of federal graduate lending is reshaping the financing landscape for advanced degrees. As traditional federal funding contracts, capital markets, private lenders, and institutional financing programs are stepping in to fill the gap. Panelists will discuss the size of the emerging graduate education financing gap, the role of securitization and other structured finance innovations, and the growing participation of investors in this evolving market. The conversation will also explore how universities are expanding institutional loan programs and what these shifts may mean for tuition pricing and long-term access to graduate education. Attendees will gain valuable insight into the capital flows, investment strategies, and public-private financing models that are likely to define graduate education finance in the years ahead.

The panel examines how higher education institutions are adapting to a changing financial environment marked by borrowing caps, enrollment pressures, and growing scrutiny over tuition pricing. Institutional leaders will discuss how financial aid offices are redesigning aid packaging strategies, expanding institutional loan programs, and aligning enrollment management with new lending constraints. The conversation will also explore how universities are rethinking revenue models to maintain financial sustainability and what these shifts mean for smaller and private institutions navigating increasing financial pressure. Attendees will gain insight into how colleges and universities are adjusting their financial strategies to remain competitive while ensuring access and stability in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. 

The panel explores emerging alternatives to traditional student debt, including Income Share Agreements (ISAs), employer-sponsored education programs, and performance-linked financing models. As policymakers and institutions search for more sustainable ways to fund education, these approaches are gaining attention for their potential to align financing with career outcomes and workforce needs. Panelists will discuss the regulatory outlook for ISAs in 2026, the growing role of employers as co-investors in education, and the opportunities and risks associated with performance-based financing structures. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of where these alternative models are proving effective, where challenges remain, and how outcomes-based financing may reshape the future of student funding. 

As the student lending landscape evolves, colleges and universities are taking on a greater role in preparing students to navigate the financial realities of higher education. This panel explores how institutions are strengthening borrower counseling, financial literacy, and advising to help students make informed borrowing decisions. Experts will discuss strategies to reduce default risk, support responsible borrowing, and align counseling programs with new repayment frameworks. Attendees will gain practical insights into how stronger financial guidance can improve student outcomes and long-term borrower success. As the student lending landscape evolves, colleges and universities are taking on a greater role in preparing students to navigate the financial realities of higher education. This panel explores how institutions are strengthening borrower counseling, financial literacy, and advising to help students make informed borrowing decisions. Experts will discuss strategies to reduce default risk, support responsible borrowing, and align counseling programs with new repayment frameworks. Attendees will gain practical insights into how stronger financial guidance can improve student outcomes and long-term borrower success. 

As technology continues to transform financial services, the student lending ecosystem is rapidly evolving through advances in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms. This roundtable brings together EdTech and FinTech innovators to explore how new technologies are reshaping underwriting models, improving compliance and servicing automation, and enhancing the borrower experience. Panelists will also examine the role of predictive analytics in managing credit risk and the growing challenges around data transparency and responsible use of technology. Attendees will gain insight into the innovations driving the next generation of digital student lending. 

As the student loan market enters the return to repayment , servicing organizations are managing a new phase of portfolio performance, collections activity, and regulatory oversight. This roundtable brings together industry leaders to examine how servicers are adjusting operational frameworks, compliance systems, and borrower engagement strategies as repayment obligations fully resume. Panelists will discuss portfolio risk management, collections operations, evolving compliance expectations, and the operational realities of balancing borrower support with fiduciary responsibilities to lenders and investors. Attendees will gain practical insight into how the servicing industry is adapting to manage performance, risk, and accountability in the post-pause student loan market. 

As federal student loan policies continue to evolve and repayment dynamics shift under the RAP framework and new federal caps, lenders and investors are confronting a fundamentally changed risk environment. In this session, experts will explore how education finance institutions are recalibrating underwriting standards, borrower risk models, and portfolio strategies to respond to shifting borrower behavior, regulatory expectations, and broader market conditions. Panelists will examine the implications for capital allocation, portfolio performance, and long-term sustainability, highlighting the ways in which lenders and investors can navigate these changes to maintain resilience and growth. The discussion will emphasize the development of adaptive underwriting models that more accurately reflect the new repayment realities, as well as innovative risk-sharing mechanisms between lenders, institutions, and investors. Attendees will gain insights into data-driven approaches for identifying emerging borrower segments and understanding evolving credit behaviors. The conversation will also highlight strategies for strengthening portfolio resilience through diversified lending structures, partnerships, and enhanced transparency in investor reporting. Ultimately, participants will leave with a clearer perspective on how to manage risk, optimize performance, and capture opportunities in the rapidly evolving student lending ecosystem. 

In this strategic closing roundtable, senior leaders from policy, lending, capital markets, higher education, and servicers will converge to chart the future of student lending. The discussion will distill critical insights from recent policy changes, market dynamics, and technological innovation, providing executives with a clear line of sight on emerging opportunities and strategic risks. Panelists will outline the priorities leaders must embrace from 2026 through 2028, with cross-sector collaboration highlighted as a catalyst for sustainable solutions. By connecting perspectives across public and private sectors, this session will define a forward-looking roadmap that leverages partnerships, drives innovation, and positions institutions and investors to navigate complexity while capturing long-term value. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to lead decisively, forge strategic alliances, and shape the next chapter of student finance with impact and purpose.