Boston University to lay off 120 staffers amid budget challenges

The private institution faces federal funding uncertainty along with operational headaches such as rising costs.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 8, 2025

‘One big mistake’: Higher ed sounds warning over GOP budget law

From higher endowment taxes to student loan limits, colleges and students will face a dramatically new landscape with the passage of a new spending law.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 7, 2025

Trump’s OCR steps up pace for dismissing complaints

With newly limited staffing, the federal office charged with protecting students’ civil rights has increased its case dismissals — to the alarm of former employees.

By Naaz Modan • July 7, 2025

15 Florida colleges keep access to grant funding after House bid fails

A proposal from the Florida House would have restricted private colleges' eligibility for the popular Effective Access to Student Education program.

By Laura Spitalniak • July 7, 2025

Indiana public colleges to shed or consolidate over 400 degree programs

The dramatic restructuring comes in response to a statute that aims to end programs that produce low numbers of graduates over a three-year period. 

By Natalie Schwartz • July 2, 2025

What’s inside the Senate megabill for higher education?

The chamber narrowly passed its version of the sweeping domestic policy package, which would reshape federal student lending. 

By Natalie Schwartz • July 1, 2025

The Senate’s higher ed measures are a good start. Here’s what could improve them.

The reconciliation bill could do more to hold college programs accountable for how much they charge, argues an official at Arnold Ventures, a philanthropy. 

By Kelly McManus • July 1, 2025

HHS accuses Harvard of violating antidiscrimination law after antisemitism probe

The latest salvo from the Trump administration threatens "the loss of all federal financial resources.”

By Ben Unglesbee • July 1, 2025

Brown University preps for ‘significant cost-cutting’ amid federal funding disruption

The Ivy League institution's top officials signaled possible staff reductions along with scaled back capital spending and other measures.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 30, 2025

Stanford University expects layoffs in coming year

The private nonprofit is cutting $140 million from its budget as it grapples with “significant budget consequences” from federal policy shifts.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 27, 2025

DOJ sues Minnesota over in-state tuition for undocumented students

The move follows similar lawsuits against Kentucky and Texas as the Trump administration targets laws that states have had on their books for years.

By Laura Spitalniak • June 26, 2025

Key higher ed provisions in reconciliation bill violate Senate rules, official finds

Expanding Pell Grants to short-term programs and consolidating student loan programs were among the proposals flagged by the chamber’s parliamentarian.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 26, 2025

6 public university systems unveil plans to launch new accrediting agency

In his announcement, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis slammed the current system as an "accreditation cartel" and decried diversity standards at accreditors.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 26, 2025

Federal judge orders OCR to reinstate laid-off employees — for now

The reduction in force left the office "incapable of addressing the vast majority" of complaints, the ruling said.

By Naaz Modan • June 26, 2025

University of Connecticut eyes workforce cuts to manage funding shortfalls

Faced with cuts to state and federal funding, leaders are clamping down on hiring and reviewing temporary positions, along with other austerity measures.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 24, 2025

Judge strikes down National Science Foundation’s 15% funding cap for research overhead

With the new ruling, efforts to cap research overhead reimbursement have now been blocked at four federal agencies. 

By Natalie Schwartz • June 24, 2025

Do states have ‘statutory right’ to Education Department data and guidance?

The agency is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to allow its reduction in force — even as its laid-off employees remain on administrative leave.

By Naaz Modan • June 20, 2025

Tracking the Trump administration’s moves to cap indirect research funding

We’re keeping tabs of the agencies that have tried to limit reimbursement for overhead costs to 15% — and the legal challenges against them.

Updated June 24, 2025

Tennessee State operations get $96M boost from reallocated state funds

Tennessee's comptroller cited his confidence in the beleaguered university's current leadership team when signing the deal Tuesday.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 18, 2025

Federal judge strikes down NIH directives against DEI research

The American Civil Liberties Union called the ruling "a major victory for public health.” Federal officials are exploring their legal options, including an appeal.

By Laura Spitalniak • June 17, 2025

AAUP and AFT appeal after judge tosses lawsuit over canceled Columbia funds

The judge ruled that the unions lacked standing to sue and sided with the Trump administration’s case.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 17, 2025

Senate panel’s proposal would hike endowment tax less than House bill

The chamber’s Finance Committee proposed an 8% top rate — much lower than the 21% rate passed by House lawmakers. 

By Natalie Schwartz • June 17, 2025

Why did the Energy Department issue a Title IX rule?

The proposed athletics rule would rescind a prior requirement on coed sports tryouts — but only for colleges receiving U.S. Department of Energy grants.

By Kara Arundel • June 16, 2025

University of Nebraska looks to cut another $20M from its budget

Amid state and federal funding challenges, the public Midwestern institution has already cut tens of millions of dollars in spending in recent years.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 13, 2025

Harvard spars with Trump administration over order protecting its international enrollment

The Ivy League institution argued that the federal government may seek to circumvent a pending preliminary injunction through “creative relabeling.”

By Laura Spitalniak • June 13, 2025