National student lending leaders convene in Alexandria, VA, amid major policy changes

iiBIG announces its 17th Annual Education Finance & Loan Symposium to address higher education funding shifts and the future of student lending

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:34pm

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a stack of student loan documents, a calculator, and a pen arranged elegantly on a clean, white background, conceptually representing the complex challenges and strategic decisions facing the student lending industry.As student lending policy undergoes sweeping changes, industry leaders convene to chart a new course for access, affordability, and student success.Alexandria Today

The International Institute for Business Information and Growth (iiBIG) announces its 17th Annual Education Finance and Loan Symposium, a premier national forum convening senior leaders across higher education, finance, government, and technology at a pivotal moment for the U.S. student lending system. The 2026 Symposium will be chaired by Dr. Wayne Johnson, former COO of Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education, and feature Mark Kantrowitz, President of Cerebly Inc., as the keynote speaker.

Why it matters

Sweeping federal reforms under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—taking full effect in 2026—are rapidly reshaping how higher education is financed, repaid, and regulated, prompting a system-wide reset across the education finance landscape. This year's Symposium reflects both the disruption and opportunity created by these policy shifts, as leaders navigate an uncertain future and strategize for a new reality in student lending.

The details

The 17th Annual Education Finance and Loan Symposium will explore the most critical developments redefining student finance, including the transition to new federal repayment structures, the elimination of Grad PLUS and evolving borrowing limits, the impact of lifetime federal loan caps, the return of collections and heightened portfolio risk management, increasing regulatory and tax complexity, and institutional innovation like income-share agreements and alternative financing models.

  • The 2026 Symposium will be held on May 14-15, 2026.

The players

Dr. Wayne Johnson

Former COO of Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education, and Honorary Chair of the 2026 Symposium.

Mark Kantrowitz

President of Cerebly Inc., one of the nation's leading experts in student financial aid, and the keynote speaker for the 2026 Symposium.

Juliana Araujo

President of iiBIG, the host organization for the 17th Annual Education Finance and Loan Symposium.

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What they’re saying

“We are at an inflection point in student lending. This Symposium is designed to help leaders not only navigate disruption, but shape the future of access, affordability, and student success.”

— Juliana Araujo, President of iiBIG

What’s next

The 17th Annual Education Finance and Loan Symposium will convene a curated group of senior executives, policymakers, lenders, investors, and innovators across the education finance ecosystem on May 14-15, 2026 in Alexandria, Virginia.

The takeaway

As the U.S. student lending system undergoes a major reset due to sweeping federal reforms, the 17th Annual Education Finance and Loan Symposium will bring together industry leaders to navigate the disruption and strategize for a new reality in education finance, with a focus on access, affordability, and student success.