Trump administration illegally axed NIH grants, government watchdog says

The U.S. Government Accountability Office can file a lawsuit in an attempt to restore the grants, though the agency has not yet opted to do so.

By Susanna Vogel • Aug. 7, 2025

Higher ed groups ask Supreme Court to preserve lower court order to restore NIH grants

The Trump administration has asked the high court to pause the June ruling against the National Institutes of Health’s mass award cancellations. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 5, 2025

‘You are college-ready’: Direct admissions comes to Alabama

Nearly 40 public and private institutions are participating, and many will include merit-based scholarships with their fall 2026 acceptance offers.

By Laura Spitalniak • Aug. 5, 2025

Week in review: Trump administration policies hit colleges’ pocketbooks

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, from the federal government’s new probes and deals to the impact of policy shifts on the higher education sector.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 4, 2025

Massachusetts governor pitches $400M to support research funding

The money would back projects and jobs at colleges, hospitals and research institutions amid vast federal funding threats. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 1, 2025

150K fewer international students this fall? That’s what one analysis predicts.

A sharp drop in foreign enrollment could cost colleges $7 billion in revenue and 60,000 jobs, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 1, 2025

Justice Department threatens federal funding for colleges over DEI policies

The agency released guidance targeting a sweeping set of practices at colleges and other institutions, from race-based scholarships to diversity statements. 

By Natalie Schwartz • July 31, 2025

‘Everything, everywhere, all at once’: How Trump has upended higher ed finance in 2025

Experts at the National Association of College and University Business Officers’ annual conference broke down the wave of policy changes the sector is facing.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 31, 2025

Northwestern University cuts 425 jobs in face of federal funding pressure

The private institution is laying off staff and axing vacant roles in a time that is “among most difficult in our institution’s 174-year history,” senior leaders said.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 30, 2025

UCLA violated civil rights law, Justice Department alleges

The DOJ’s findings stem from how university leaders responded to a pro-Palestinian protest encampment in the spring 2024 term.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 30, 2025

Federal officials open probes into Duke University’s law journal, medical school

The investigations into the North Carolina college come less than a week after the Trump administration struck a controversial deal with Columbia University. 

By Natalie Schwartz • July 29, 2025

Week in Review: Trump’s attacks on universities roil higher ed

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, from Columbia’s settlement with the federal government to another state’s foray into direct admissions.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 28, 2025

22 new state laws censor higher ed, PEN America finds

The bills, which were enacted during the first half of 2025, “have been just as devastating” as federal attacks on the sector, the free speech group said. 

By Natalie Schwartz • July 28, 2025

Antisemitic beliefs rare among faculty, Brandeis University study finds

Despite media attention and Trump’s attacks on universities, most professors neither discuss hot topics in class nor engage in activism around them.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 24, 2025

‘A dangerous precedent’: Critics slam Columbia’s agreement with Trump administration

While some stakeholders praised the deal, others warned it could spur federal officials to pursue more attacks on other colleges. 

By Natalie Schwartz • July 24, 2025

Union seeks delay in Education Department layoffs

AFGE Local 252 seeks to delay employees' Aug. 1 termination date, which they say is too soon under their bargaining agreement.

By Naaz Modan • July 24, 2025

‘Inadequate and deeply troubling’: George Mason AAUP votes no confidence in board

The group blasted the governing body, alleging it failed to defend the university and its president amid successive investigations by the Trump administration.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 23, 2025

Tennessee launches direct admissions pilot with student aid component

The initiative aims to ease the path to higher education by providing financial aid information along with automatic acceptance to participating colleges.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 23, 2025

Trump administration opens a fourth probe into George Mason University

The federal government is ratcheting up pressure on the institution through a flurry of investigations, with the latest focused on its admissions practices. 

By Ben Unglesbee • July 22, 2025

Judge pauses Mississippi’s DEI ban at public colleges and schools

Accounts from educators and students fearing discussion of certain topics signal “possible widespread suppression of speech,” the judge wrote. 

By Natalie Schwartz • July 22, 2025

What does Trump’s executive order on foreign gift reporting mean for colleges?

Institutions that don’t fully comply with Section 117 could end up in the Trump administration’s crosshairs and miss out on federal grants, experts suggested. 

By Danielle McLean • July 22, 2025

Stanford researcher sues over termination, alleging antisemitism

A university spokesperson said officials take antisemitism allegations seriously but added a “thorough investigation” found these to be unsubstantiated. 

By Laurel Kalser • July 21, 2025

George Mason University faces federal probe into hiring and promotion practices

The U.S. Department of Justice’s probe marks the third new federal investigation opened against the public Virginia institution this month.

By Laura Spitalniak • July 18, 2025

Energy Department delays multiple rules after public pushback

The proposals, quietly introduced in May, would have gone into effect for colleges and schools this week had critics failed to register their complaints.

By Naaz Modan • July 18, 2025

Columbia University formally adopts controversial antisemitism definition

Acting President Claire Shipman said the Office of Institutional Equity will use the definition to help investigate discrimination and harassment.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 18, 2025