Should states require high school students to complete the FAFSA?

Some research shows these policies boost form completions, but their impact on college attendance is less clear.

By Lilah Burke • June 7, 2023

At least 3 class-action lawsuits filed over Mercer University’s recent data breach

The complaints, which contend some 93,000 people were affected, allege that the institution’s cybersecurity practices were lacking.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 6, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The Higher Ed Dive Outlook for 2023

The federal financial aid system’s future, core admissions practices and the higher ed sector’s financial outlook will be shaped by developments that are likely to unfold this year.

By Higher Ed Dive staff

Virginia to eliminate degree requirements for most state jobs

State movement on the issue reflects ongoing private sector interest in reducing reliance on four-year degrees for hiring purposes.

By Kathryn Moody • June 6, 2023

Senate bill would block accreditors from weighing DEI, affirmative action policies

Colleges feel the need to "comply with woke standards or risk reputational and financial ruin," contends bill author Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

By Laura Spitalniak • June 6, 2023

Education spared from severe cuts in Senate approval of debt ceiling deal

Nondefense programs would see flat funding in FY 2024, and the legislation would rescind unspent COVID-19 emergency relief funds. 

By Kara Arundel • June 2, 2023

Ohio advances bill to require public colleges to inform students about earnings potential

The proposal would also require institutions to estimate students’ monthly loan payments.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 2, 2023

Anti-tenure bills stall in state legislatures

Proposals to restrict or outright ban tenure were popular among conservative lawmakers — but they never made it to the finish line.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 2, 2023

Alabama passes law restricting transgender athletes’ participation in college sports

Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation expanding a 2021 law barring transgender K-12 students from playing on sports teams aligned with their gender identities.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 31, 2023

Two-thirds of adults don’t think the Supreme Court should rule against race-conscious admissions, poll finds

But 68% still said race and ethnicity should have little to no importance when factored in the acceptance process.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 31, 2023

South Dakota governor demands conservative makeover for public higher education

Kristi Noem, a Trump-aligned policymaker, is calling for changes like bans on campus drag shows and ending the use of preferred pronouns.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 31, 2023

Education Department delays final Title IX rules until October

The agency still needs to work through hundreds of thousands of public comments on the two regulatory plans.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 30, 2023

Education faces flat funding under debt ceiling deal

The bill needs approval by the House, Senate and president before a June 5 default deadline.

By Kara Arundel • May 30, 2023

White House calls on colleges to act against antisemitism

A Thursday report from the Biden administration shared best practices for countering anti-Jewish hate on campuses.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 25, 2023

US default could hamper colleges’ financial aid and research funding, ACE says

The effects on higher ed could be minimized if the government resolved a default quickly, according to the American Council on Education. 

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 23, 2023

Colleges face new responsibilities as states require abortion medication access on campus

New York and Massachusetts recently implemented mandates for their public institutions. At least one private college is also offering the pills. 

By Lilah Burke • May 23, 2023

Public weighs in on Title IX athletics rule with more than 150K comments

The proposal has elicited concern from both ends of the political spectrum over both the inclusion and exclusion of transgender students.

By Naaz Modan • May 18, 2023

Education Department pledges ‘strongest-ever’ protections with long-awaited gainful employment draft

The agency also introduced regulatory proposals to collect and publish new data from all colleges, like potential earnings.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 17, 2023

Ohio Senate bill restricting DEI, tenure advances over widespread objections

The proposed legislation would rewrite many of higher education's norms. A companion bill is pending in the state House.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 17, 2023

House Republicans grill Cardona over student loan repayment pause, other higher ed policies

Lawmakers questioned initiatives like mass student loan cancellation and reworking of colleges’ foreign gift reporting requirements.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 16, 2023

Why Richard Bland wants to break up with William & Mary

Amid mergers and closures, the Virginia junior college is looking to establish independence and its own brand identity.

By Lilah Burke • May 16, 2023

Florida bans DEI spending at all public colleges

The new law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday, also limits what faculty can teach in the classroom.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 15, 2023

New York lawmakers again seek to ban legacy, early decision college admissions

The prohibition would apply to public and private institutions and would heavily fine them if they violated it.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 15, 2023

Report: Many borrowers who could benefit from income-driven repayment don’t know about it

The Education Department should ramp up communications about the plans as it rolls out regulations to expand them, New America said.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 15, 2023

How much public support does Biden’s debt forgiveness proposal have?

Although surveyed Americans were divided on the plan, other initiatives like free college drew more widespread support.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 12, 2023

Cardona defends Education Department budget proposal, fields questions about repayment pause

The secretary said the agency is readying to resume payments, which comes as the Supreme Court decides whether Biden’s loan forgiveness plan is legal. 

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 11, 2023