State Policy
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Courtesy of Ian Couch courtesy of the Washington State Office of the Governor
Washington governor eyes FAFSA requirement for high school students
Since taking office last year, Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson has prioritized increasing the state’s completion rate of the federal aid form.
By Laura Spitalniak • July 15, 2026 -
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Penn State, Temple and Pitt get boost from new performance-based funding
A new $10 million pool of performance-based funds adds money to long-stagnant appropriations but falls short of higher education leaders’ hopes.
By Ben Unglesbee • July 15, 2026 -
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University of Nebraska System braces for unexpected $36M state funding cut
“There are limits to what can be achieved through continued reductions,” the system’s president said as ever-deepening austerity measures loom.
By Ben Unglesbee • July 13, 2026 -
Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
What does the Supreme Court’s transgender athlete ruling mean for higher ed?
The landmark decision has big implications for transgender students — and the Title IX and litigation landscape for colleges.
By David Weisenfeld • July 13, 2026 -
The image by Johan Hendrikse is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
AAUP sues over Texas Tech classroom instruction limits
The national faculty group, alongside a local affiliate, asked a judge to block the directives and rule them unconstitutional.
By Laura Spitalniak • July 8, 2026 -
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Florida loses appeal over college accreditation
A panel of three federal judges rejected Florida’s argument that the system unconstitutionally delegates “unchecked authority” to private agencies.
By Laura Spitalniak • July 7, 2026 -
Permission granted by Will Simpson Photography
Florida’s Stop WOKE act struck down for colleges on appeal
Tuesday’s ruling called the state’s attempt to limit classroom discussion "a breathtaking assertion of power to ban unpopular ideas from public discourse."
By Laura Spitalniak • July 7, 2026 -
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Florida state board bans undocumented students from college system
One analysis estimates that the policy could cost the 28-institution system $15 million a year in lost tuition and fee revenue.
By Natalie Schwartz • July 2, 2026 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Stuart Bell confirmed as University of Florida president after chaotic approval process
The former University of Alabama leader faced a delayed system-level vote and right-wing pushback over his past support for diversity efforts.
By Ben Unglesbee • July 1, 2026 -
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Virginia and Ohio join effort to design 3-year bachelor’s degrees
While some say such degrees could increase college affordability, two groups blasted them as “stripped-down curriculum that prioritizes speed.”
By Ben Unglesbee • June 29, 2026 -
The image by Farragutful is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
North Carolina Republicans ban DEI at public colleges
The new law took effect immediately and came after legislators overrode a veto from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.
By Laura Spitalniak • June 29, 2026 -
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Ohio bill would broaden power of university civics center directors
The politically created academic centers have drawn fierce criticism from faculty, who say they expand state intrusion into higher education.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 26, 2026 -
Retrieved from Florida State Legislature on June 25, 2026
Undocumented students could be barred from Florida public universities
The state’s public university system board on Thursday advanced the proposal, which has garnered support from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
By Laura Spitalniak • June 25, 2026 -
Steve Pope / Stringer via Getty Images
Kansas joins DOJ in effort to end in-state tuition for undocumented students
The proposed agreement came hours after the U.S. Department of Justice sued the state over its decades-old law.
By Laura Spitalniak • June 24, 2026 -
Laura Spitalniak/Higher Ed Dive
University of Florida board appoints Stuart Bell as interim leader
The unanimous decision came late Monday after the chair of the state university system board delayed a vote that could install Bell permanently.
By Laura Spitalniak • June 22, 2026 -
4nadia via Getty Images
Kansas board adopts definitions for ban of DEI-CRT in required courses
The state higher ed board’s policy protects broadly teaching about racism and civil rights history under a new state law restricting college instruction.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 18, 2026 -
The image by Finetooth is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Southern Oregon University plan would cut 3 majors, roughly 66 jobs
The new proposal comes after the public institution carried out two recent rounds of workforce cuts and declared financial exigency last year.
By Natalie Schwartz • June 18, 2026 -
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Iowa state board to review university gen eds for ‘substantial DEI’ and CRT
The new policy follows an attempt by lawmakers to ban all diversity- and race-related content from general education at the state’s public universities.
By Laura Spitalniak • Updated June 26, 2026 -
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Kentucky State gets OK for program cuts amid state-mandated overhaul
The state’s higher education authority signed off on the narrowed offerings even as a lawsuit contests the university’s transformation.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 15, 2026 -
Retrieved from Declan M. Martin.
Nebraska law offering in-state tuition to undocumented students struck down
The federal judge’s ruling marks the fourth time a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit has ended such policies under the Trump administration.
By Laura Spitalniak • June 4, 2026 -
The image by Johan Hendrikse is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Texas Tech instruction rules spurred widespread course changes
Nearly half of polled professors said they changed class materials on their own in response to memos limiting teaching about race, sex and gender.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 3, 2026 -
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California Senate passes bill that would create $12B in state research funding
If enacted, the measure would establish a foundation focused on funding research areas where the federal government has cut.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 29, 2026 -
The image by Alaska Miller is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Florida budget deal would cut extra funding to top public universities
Lawmakers also agreed to transfer the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida, a conservative favorite.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 27, 2026 -
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How can states encourage students to fill out the FAFSA?
States are adopting policies that mandate students to fill out the form, but experts say these efforts should come with funding and personnel.
By Jamaal Abdul-Alim • May 27, 2026 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
UT System makes it easier to shutter programs, fire faculty
Under rules passed by the system’s board, university presidents can axe programs without faculty input and cut professors with limited appeal avenues.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 21, 2026
