Federal Policy
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Appeals court rejects Education Department’s bid to delay borrower defense decisions
The ruling is the latest in the long-running Sweet v. McMahon settlement, which promises timely decisions on borrower defense claims or automatic debt relief.
By Natalie Schwartz • July 22, 2026 -
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DOJ alleges UC San Diego illegally uses race in medical school admissions
The highly selective medical school is the third in the University of California system to face such an accusation from the federal agency.
By Laura Spitalniak • Updated 7 hours ago -
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Trump officials can’t revoke grants due to new agency goals, judge rules
The ruling scores a win for a group of 21 attorneys general and three governors who sued over the Trump administration’s approach to grant terminations.
By Natalie Schwartz • July 20, 2026 -
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Deep Dive‘A razor’s edge’: How colleges are navigating civil rights probes under Trump
Some colleges have cut deals, while others have fought back against federal officials. Both come with risks, legal experts say.
By Danielle McLean • July 20, 2026 -
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Trump administration caps student visa stays at 4 years under final rule
Critics have castigated the measure, arguing it ignores average degree completion times and creates unnecessary burdens for international students.
By Laura Spitalniak • Updated July 17, 2026 -
Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr on July 16, 2026
House panel OKs permanent moves for some Education Department functions
Republican supporters say the higher education and K-12 changes would spur efficiencies. Democratic lawmakers say they would undermine public education.
By Kara Arundel • July 16, 2026 -
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What does the Supreme Court’s transgender athlete ruling mean for higher ed?
The landmark decision has big implications for transgender students — and the Title IX and litigation landscape for colleges.
By David Weisenfeld • July 13, 2026 -
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10 bills introduced to codify outsourcing of federal education programs
Supporters say the Republican-led proposals would help “right-size” the U.S. Department of Education, while opponents predict inefficiencies.
By Anna Merod • July 13, 2026 -
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Faculty groups question DOJ’s Yale admissions claims, balk at potential deal
“Yale has the resources, stature, and responsibility to stand firm,” the American Association of University Professors and other groups said.
By Ben Unglesbee • July 8, 2026 -
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Another wave of Education Department regulations is coming
The Trump administration unveiled its timeline for a host of regulatory changes, including those related to accreditation, diversity initiatives and Title VI.
By Natalie Schwartz • July 8, 2026 -
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Education groups sue for access to nearly $2B in research funds
A lawsuit alleges the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget are withholding the funds unlawfully.
By Kara Arundel • July 2, 2026 -
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‘Professional degree’ list is expanded. But education still didn’t make the cut.
The designation comes with an increased federal student loan cap of $200,000 for graduate programs.
By Anna Merod • July 2, 2026 -
Natalie Schwartz/Higher Ed Dive
Another round of Education Department regulations is coming, official says
Under Secretary Nicholas Kent said Tuesday that the agency needs to make the process for college mergers, acquisitions and even closures “a lot easier.”
By Natalie Schwartz • June 30, 2026 -
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Land-grant universities eligible for USDA, Ed Dept funds to improve agricultural research facilities
The two federal agencies are offering eligible institutions up to $30 million for property improvements — but the money requires a one-to-one match.
By Robert Freedman • June 29, 2026 -
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Johns Hopkins lays off 110 employees in the wake of federal research cuts
"As our federal research portfolio shrinks, the infrastructure around it must change in parallel,” a spokesperson for the private university said.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 26, 2026 -
House Committee on Education and Workforce Democrats. (2025). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Democrats move to impeach McMahon for Education Department dismantling
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici filed impeachment articles accusing the secretary of illegally transferring the department’s duties to other federal agencies.
By Natalie Schwartz • June 25, 2026 -
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Court pauses Education Department regulations limiting ‘professional’ degrees
The agency released widely contested regulations this spring to block access to higher borrowing limits for many graduate students.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 25, 2026 -
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Kansas joins DOJ in effort to end in-state tuition for undocumented students
The proposed agreement came hours after the U.S. Department of Justice sued the state over its decades-old law.
By Laura Spitalniak • June 24, 2026 -
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Some Education Department cuts ‘appear’ to impact legal duties, OIG says
The independent office says a 40% staff reduction in early 2025 affected the Education Department's legal duties. The agency says it remains compliant.
By Kara Arundel • June 24, 2026 -
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George Mason president’s contract extended after Trump administration spat
The public university praised Gregory Washington, who came under fire last year from the federal government over his support for diversity initiatives.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 23, 2026 -
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Deep DiveA new site tracks foreign gifts to colleges. Is it misleading?
The Trump administration launched a public dashboard to track Section 117 reporting, but policy experts worry it lacks necessary context.
By Danielle McLean • Updated June 24, 2026 -
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Here’s the latest on the Education Department’s interagency agreements
The agency now has 14 partnerships it says reduce federal bureaucracy. But critics argue they add confusion as federal oversight is splintered.
By Kara Arundel • June 18, 2026 -
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Education Department to move core civil rights duties to DOJ
Under the Trump administration, the department has now struck 14 agreements offloading its responsibilities to other federal agencies.
By Natalie Schwartz • Updated June 16, 2026 -
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20 attorneys general sue Trump administration over federal contractor DEI order
The plaintiffs argue the president’s March executive order impedes each state’s efforts and is unclear in what it prohibits.
By Caroline Colvin • June 15, 2026 -
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Bill to mandate FAFSA anti-fraud system passes House
The No Aid for Ghost Students Act would largely codify a system for screening applicants that the U.S. Department of Education launched earlier this year.
By Natalie Schwartz • June 12, 2026
