Trump administration reverses course on federal funding freeze

Agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education, will still need to review their allocations for conflicts with White House executive orders.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 29, 2025

5 higher education lawsuits to watch in 2025

From Biden-era policies under fire to an antitrust suit against academic publishers, 2025 could see major legal waves.

By Ben Unglesbee , Natalie Schwartz • Updated Jan. 29, 2025

At 11th hour, judge blocks Trump’s pause on federal funding

The higher education community faced an "enormous amount of confusion" in the wake of an OMB directive aimed at ensuring programs adhere to recent executive orders.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated Jan. 28, 2025

Polarization is battering campuses. Here is how college leaders are fighting back.

College presidents discussed strategies for constructive debate at the American Association of Colleges and Universities′ annual conference.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 27, 2025

The coming decline in high school graduate counts, in 5 charts

A recent forecast dove deep into the demographics and number of future traditional-aged college prospects. The news wasn’t all bad.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 27, 2025

Trump’s Education Department nixes DEI initiatives and guidance

The agency also said it has canceled contracts and placed employees tasked with leading diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on paid leave.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 24, 2025

This week in 5 numbers: Trump directive targets college DEI

We’re rounding up recent stories, from executive orders affecting colleges to a new policy allowing immigration enforcement actions on campuses.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 24, 2025

Albright College moves to borrow from endowment to stay afloat

The Pennsylvania nonprofit has also cut faculty, staff and programs as it tries to stem deficits and enrollment declines.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 23, 2025

Trump signs executive order targeting DEI policies at colleges

The directive escalates the crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion programs on campuses to the federal policy level.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 23, 2025

How Trump’s Day 1 actions could affect higher education

New directives took aim at Biden-era efforts to increase educational access for underrepresented students and strengthen LGBTQ+ protections.   

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 22, 2025

Colleges no longer protected from immigration raids

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security lifted the practice of avoiding immigration enforcement at locations where students gather.

By Kara Arundel • Updated Jan. 22, 2025

Johns Hopkins, Caltech settle antitrust lawsuit for combined $35.3M

Friday's settlements, which are pending judicial approval, bring the total amount from 12 colleges to just under $319 million.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 21, 2025

Biden administration opened ‘new chapter’ on college financing, Kvaal says

In his final days in office, U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal touts the Biden administration's track record on student loan reform.

By James Kvaal • Jan. 17, 2025

Misrepresentations by OPMs could land colleges in trouble, Education Department says

Higher education institutions could lose access to financial aid or face penalties if their external service providers mislead students, new guidance says. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 16, 2025

Education Department discharges $4.5B in loans for former Ashford University students

The agency also is moving to bar the former founder and CEO of Zovio, which owned the online university, from leading any institution taking Title IV funds.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 15, 2025

Pennsylvania AG argues Temple should win bid for UArts building

Attorney General Michelle Henry said Temple University's bid should take priority over a $6.5 million offer from a Philadelphia real estate developer.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 15, 2025

House passes bill to restrict transgender students’ participation in women’s sports

The Senate has introduced companion legislation, though the proposal may have a tough time overcoming the chamber’s filibuster rule. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 14, 2025

Supreme Court to examine Biden administration’s borrower defense rule

The U.S. Department of Education challenged a court ruling that temporarily blocked regulations for granting debt relief to certain students. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 14, 2025

California university systems warn of dire effects from governor’s proposed cuts

California State University and University of California would see hundreds of millions of dollars in reduced funds in the governor's latest budget proposal.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 13, 2025

Indiana University faces call for defunding over ties to Kinsey Institute

The state’s comptroller and two state lawmakers are scheduled to speak at an event calling for the General Assembly to strip the institution of state funds.

By Natalie Schwartz • Updated Jan. 13, 2025

Federal judge strikes down Biden administration’s Title IX rule nationwide

The ruling vacates regulations that had enshrined protections for the first time for LGBTQI+ students and employees.

By Natalie Schwartz • Updated Jan. 10, 2025

State AG looks to halt $1.9M payment to Western New Mexico University president

Joseph Shepard resigned amid scrutiny over his spending of university money. The attorney general called his severance package “a gross misuse of funds.”

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 7, 2025

House Republicans prioritize bill to restrict transgender students’ sports participation

Lawmakers reintroduced a proposal that would prevent transgender women from competing on college sports teams aligning with their gender identity.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 6, 2025

Top regents at Western New Mexico University depart amid state scrutiny

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called for the entire board to resign after a state audit found "a concerning lack of compliance" with university spending policies.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 6, 2025

Tuition reimbursement cannot be factored into wage garnishment, DOL says

Workers who receive tuition assistance will not have that employer reimbursement included in their wage garnishment.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 6, 2025