Ed Dept gives $1B more in relief aid to minority-serving institutions

The money is intended to help these colleges serve financially needy students and compensate for minimal resources.

By Hallie Busta • May 1, 2020

Higher ed groups seek more flexibility for colleges in small business aid

Led by the American Council on Education, they are asking Congress to loosen criteria for certain coronavirus relief programs.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • April 28, 2020

Higher ed leaders push back as Ed Dept bars undocumented students from aid

Colleges and associations are looking for ways to help this vulnerable group, saying the agency improperly excluded them from emergency grants.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • April 23, 2020

Ed Dept releases 2nd round of coronavirus aid for colleges, clarifies who qualifies

Only students eligible for federal aid can receive grants. And higher ed groups say getting the first round of funding has been cumbersome.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • April 21, 2020

Ed Dept issues guidance on Clery Act reporting amid coronavirus

Institutions should notify students about the pandemic, but they don't have to give ongoing updates, the department said.

By Natalie Schwartz • April 6, 2020

How might colleges benefit from the coronavirus stimulus package?

These states and institutions stand to benefit the most from the formula that will be used to distribute the funds, based on one group's analysis.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • April 2, 2020

Ed Dept issues proposed distance learning rules, emphasizes flexibility

The agency aims to offer more latitude in areas such as interpreting the credit hour, using instructional teams and offering competency-based programs.

By Hallie Busta • April 1, 2020

Do tuition hikes prevent low-income students from applying to flagship colleges?

Generous financial aid packages don't stop sticker shock from deterring low-income applicants, a new working paper suggests.

By Natalie Schwartz • March 31, 2020

Coronavirus scrambles higher ed's state funding outlook

Public colleges began budget season expecting modest increases, but the pandemic could dash those hopes.

By Daniel C. Vock • March 27, 2020

Trump signs coronavirus stimulus package, but higher ed leaders say it shortchanges sector

Associations and others say the $14 billion the legislation earmarks for the sector is a far cry from what's needed to buoy institutions.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Updated March 27, 2020

Groups request $1.5B to help minority-serving colleges respond to coronavirus

Supporters are urging Congress to help these schools cover the cost of moving instruction online as well as providing emergency aid for students.

By Natalie Schwartz • March 24, 2020

Maryland could be the first state to close a loophole on federal aid to for-profit colleges

A bill heading to the governor's desk would count military benefits toward the federal 90/10 rule, but it may test the limits of a key interstate agreement.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • March 19, 2020

Ed Dept green-lights virtual site visits for accreditors due to coronavirus

New guidance also lets agencies extend accreditation terms and develop or revise policies without going through the typical review process.

By Hallie Busta • March 18, 2020

House bill would provide $1.2B to help college students during coronavirus pandemic

The proposed legislation could also provide institutions with funding to help them close campuses and ensure they're safe for students' return.

By Natalie Schwartz • March 17, 2020

Senate 'almost certain' it will not cut aid programs, GOP leader tells DeVos

Lawmakers are unlikely to approve budget reductions proposed for the U.S. Department of Education, according to a Senate subcommittee chair.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • March 6, 2020

The Ed Dept is leaning on mediation to clear backlog of sexual violence cases, sources say

Its push comes as the laws and regulations around Title IX shift, creating a complicated oversight landscape.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • March 5, 2020

A new state bill could challenge key interstate distance learning pact

Maryland legislation may test the limits of new federal state authorization rules and an agreement that lets colleges offer online programs out-of-state.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • March 4, 2020

Does California need Calbright?

Although its leaders say it met early benchmarks, the online community college will face a state audit amid concerns it duplicates existing offerings.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • Feb. 27, 2020

Ed Dept forces sweeping changes to USC's Title IX policies

The California university ignored years of reports that a former gynecologist sexually abused his patients, the federal agency's Office for Civil Rights found.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Feb. 27, 2020

Report: Majority of Americans favor free public college

But Republicans are far less likely to agree with a tuition-free education, new research from Pew finds.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Feb. 24, 2020

Democratic senators blast DeVos' proposed rules for religious colleges

The Ed Department says the draft regulations protect faith-based schools and student groups, but several top lawmakers argue that they undermine Title IX.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Feb. 21, 2020

Can colleges keep up as Title IX guidance shifts and splinters?

Challenges over the sex discrimination law have had colleges constantly reworking their policies, and more could turn to outside help.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Feb. 19, 2020

Ed Dept continues crackdown on colleges' foreign gifts reporting

Harvard and Yale universities are the latest to be in the agency's crosshairs as it amps up enforcement of a previously under-the-radar part of federal law.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Feb. 13, 2020

Trump returns to cuts in higher ed budget proposal

The U.S. Department of Education's budget is slashed by about 8% in the White House's 2021 draft, which largely reintroduces failed propositions.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Feb. 10, 2020

Colleges should prepare for student protests headed into election, experts say

Students "are looking for guardrails," said one panelist at a recent higher ed law event. College leaders may need training in how to address these issues.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Feb. 5, 2020