Policy & Legal

Delaware moves forward with 'ban the box' legislation for college admissions

A bill passed by the state's Senate would allow institutions to inquire about students' criminal histories once they're admitted, however.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 24, 2022

New Title IX regulatory plan broadens sexual violence cases colleges must investigate, firms up LGBTQ protections

The proposed rule unravels many of the processes present in the current federal rule, created by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Updated June 23, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

The Higher Ed Dive Outlook for 2022

Big questions are on tap as enrollment pressures collide with online learning's growth, major court cases loom and for-profit colleges try to find footing amid changing regulations.

By Higher Ed Dive staff

Education Department delays gainful employment proposal until 2023

Policy experts voiced concerns that pushing back the new regulation's timeline could allow poor-performing colleges to continue harming students.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 22, 2022

Solving student debt starts with access, not availability

Bringing higher ed stakeholders together to swing wide campus gates.

By Nicole Engelbert, Vice President of Higher Education Development, Oracle • June 21, 2022

Over 200 groups call on Education Department to release Title IX rule by law's 50th anniversary

The organizations said it is particularly urgent to clarify protections for LGBTQ students under the law banning sex-based discrimination in education.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 16, 2022

Second Chance Pell helps deliver degrees to over 9,000 incarcerated students

The program increased enrollment every year since its creation, despite COVID-19 challenges, according to a new report.

By Laura Spitalniak • June 16, 2022

Feds should improve safeguards against foreign entities stealing intellectual property from colleges, watchdog says

Federal agencies haven't assessed in depth which colleges are most at risk, the Government Accountability Office found. It recommends new safeguards.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 15, 2022

Education Department accidentally awarded colleges $73M in extra coronavirus aid, watchdog finds

The Office of Inspector General said 16 of 24 institutions given the extra money did not take it, while others didn't spend improperly awarded dollars.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 15, 2022

ACE, higher ed groups oppose paying student-athletes as employees

The organizations cite a lack of revenue for most sports and previous case law in a court brief filed last week.

By Laura Spitalniak • June 14, 2022

What's the fallout from the Education Department delaying new Title IX regulations?

The agency risks the next Congress overturning a new rule, and college administrators are in a holding pattern waiting for its release.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 10, 2022

Restrictions threaten 'integrity of our system of higher education,' groups say

AAC&U and PEN America push back against laws and policymakers seeking to dictate what can be taught on campus.

By Rick Seltzer • June 8, 2022

Federal action didn't prompt accreditors to boost student outcomes, research suggests

Evidence fails to show the 2008 Higher Education Act improved outcomes, report finds — suggesting transparency and accountability may be better tools.

By Laura Spitalniak • June 7, 2022

U of Minnesota tried to make reasonable accommodations before firing customer service worker, appeals court rules

Reassignment has proven a contentious topic in employment law circles, with a recent court ruling calling it "last among equals" as an accommodation.

By Ryan Golden • June 6, 2022

Sexual abuse prevention groups call for Education Department to investigate nondisclosure agreement use

The organizations say students are being pressured to sign these contracts and are unknowingly waiving their legal rights under Title IX.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 2, 2022

Adults who borrowed for college doubt higher ed's value, survey says

Those with outstanding debt were twice as likely to say the cost of their education outweighed the benefits, according to the Federal Reserve Board.

By Rick Seltzer • May 25, 2022

Education Department delays release of draft Title IX rule again, now targets June

The agency at one point planned to publish proposed regulations directing how colleges must adjudicate sexual misconduct in April, then postponed to May.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 23, 2022

Dissecting affirmative action opponents' arguments before the Supreme Court

Nineteen states led by Oklahoma filed a court brief in favor of ending race-conscious college admissions in a closely watched case.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 23, 2022

Attacks on new UW-Madison chancellor show how culture wars have come for college presidents

Experts say GOP rhetoric on selection of UCLA law dean Jennifer Mnookin undermines higher ed's autonomy and mission to serve the public good.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 20, 2022

Use COVID-19 relief money to address mental health, Ed Dept urges colleges

Institutions can apply some of the $76 billion earmarked for higher ed to efforts like crisis hotlines and suicide prevention programs, officials say.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 19, 2022

Ed Dept will continue to waive financial aid verification rules for 2022-23

The agency first relaxed its policies for the 2021-22 enrollment cycle as an acknowledgement of students’ pandemic-induced hardships.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 18, 2022

A look at 11 years of Title IX policy

As the Biden administration readies a new rule governing the federal sex discrimination law, we look back at major events in recent Title IX history.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Updated May 23, 2022

Pandemic student loan pause mostly helps borrowers who can afford to pay, report says

Only 5% of borrowers who don't expect to make payments when freeze ends are currently building savings, according to a new Philadelphia Fed survey.

By Natalie Schwartz • May 16, 2022

Financial aid administrators call for student loan system reforms

NASFAA helped develop more than two dozen recommendations on components like loan plan design and servicer oversight.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 16, 2022

Permanently expand SNAP benefits to college students, researchers say

Lawmakers broadened eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but those expansions are slated to expire.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 12, 2022

California bill would create revenue-sharing agreement with college athletes

The proposal would apply to public and private institutions. Experts say it represents a significant departure from the NCAA's amateurism model.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 12, 2022