University of Pennsylvania rebuffs EEOC demand for employee records

The Ivy League institution said it is objecting to creating lists of workers that would “reveal their Jewish faith or ancestry” over safety and other concerns.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 22, 2026

Federal policy uncertainty is disrupting planning, college leaders say

Concerns loom large about institutional autonomy and long-term financial viability, an American Council on Education survey found.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 21, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Artificial Intelligence

As AI continues its forward march in education and the workplace, colleges are grapplling with how best to incorporate the emerging technology into admissions, coursework and elsewhere.

By Higher Ed Dive staff

Congress moves to reject Trump plan to slash Education Department funding

A bipartisan 2026 spending proposal from both legislative chambers would preserve funding for a litany of student support programs.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 20, 2026

Trump 2.0’s impact on higher ed: The first year in 8 numbers

A chaotic 2025 brought dozens of federal college probes, thousands of revoked international student visas, and billions in threatened research funding.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 20, 2026

Week in review: Federal lawmakers reject drastic cuts to scientific research

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, from one California arts college announcing its closure to insights from the latest enrollment data. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 19, 2026

Portland State agrees to reinstate 10 laid-off faculty members

Although officials are complying with a recent arbitration order, the university’s president contends the reductions were “necessary and appropriate.”

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 16, 2026

Education Department launches 18 Title IX transgender athlete investigations

The new string of investigations into some colleges and schools comes on the heels of a U.S. Supreme Court hearing on the issue this week.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 14, 2026

Supreme Court weighs state restrictions on transgender student athletes

Justices heard back-to-back oral arguments Tuesday over two cases that could determine whether such bans are constitutional. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 14, 2026

Texas just made it easier for students to report DEI, faculty senate violations

The Students First portal is meant to give "the public easy access to file complaints" about colleges, a new state oversight office said.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 13, 2026

Senate advances bills rejecting Trump’s efforts to slash research funding

The White House sought cuts of 40% or more at some agencies, but lawmakers from both parties are pushing to hold science spending relatively steady.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 13, 2026

How Oregon’s top higher ed board wants to solve university deficits

The state's Higher Education Coordinating Commission recommended "institutional integration" and regular audits of academic programs.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 13, 2026

Supreme Court to hear arguments in transgender student athlete cases

Justices on Tuesday will weigh whether Title IX protects transgender athletes or bans them from participating on teams aligning with their gender identity.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 12, 2026

California public colleges would get millions in new funding under Newsom plan

Gov. Gavin Newsom's fiscal 2027 budget proposal represents a sharp turnaround from last year, when he advocated for big higher ed cuts.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 12, 2026

3 big takeaways from CIC’s Presidents Institute

Higher education experts offered insight on topics ranging from how colleges can tackle societal challenges to how they should approach diversity work. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 12, 2026

Connecticut Democrats pitch plan for state-level graduate loan program

The proposal aims to fill a $90 million hole left by the Grad PLUS federal lending system, which will end for new borrowers this summer.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 9, 2026

3 major policy changes college leaders should keep tabs on

During the Council of Independent Colleges’ annual conference, higher education experts discussed new laws and regulations coming down the pike.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 9, 2026

How many graduate borrowers will be impacted by the looming lending limits?

A new analysis finds that roughly 28% of graduate borrowers in recent years have borrowed above the new caps taking effect in July.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 9, 2026

NIH cap on indirect research costs struck down on appeal

The agency announced a 15% across-the-board limit on overhead reimbursement in February, which judges so far have concluded was illegal.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 6, 2026

Trump can order employers to pay extra H-1B fee, court holds

President Donald Trump can impose the $100,000 fine under the Immigration and Nationality Act’s “exceedingly broad language,” a judge ruled.

By Laurel Kalser • Jan. 6, 2026

What’s in NIH’s settlement over delayed research funding?

Over 5,000 grants from across the country are covered by the settlement, according to the Massachusetts attorney general’s office.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 5, 2026

DOJ, Virginia AG target in-state tuition for undocumented students

Jason Miyares, who ends his term as state attorney general next week, filed a joint motion with the federal agency after it sued to overturn Virginia’s law.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 5, 2026

What 3 credit ratings agencies forecast for higher ed in 2026

Fitch Ratings, S&P Global and Moody's Ratings all predicted a tough year ahead, pointing to deteriorating financial conditions and heightened uncertainty.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 5, 2026

Will higher education researchers leave for opportunities abroad?

As the Trump administration cuts funding to wide swaths of research, foreign countries are ramping up their efforts to recruit top U.S. talent. 

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 5, 2026

Cancellation of mental health grants ruled unlawful

A federal judge required the Education Department to reinstate the grants in 16 states and barred the agency from issuing new priorities for the programs. 

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 23, 2025

DOJ: Education Department’s race-based grants are unconstitutional

A legal memo said many of the agency’s grants for minority-serving institutions and students from underrepresented backgrounds are unlawful. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Dec. 22, 2025