The U.S. Education Department publicly warned two accreditors this week that their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) standards must be formally eliminated or risk losing federal recognition. Under Secretary Nicholas Kent directed the agencies to strip the suspended requirements and signaled the department could withdraw recognition if those criteria are enforced. The notice arrives amid broader federal pressure on accreditation and oversight, while the department also announced plans to shift certain student‑loan responsibilities to the Treasury. Colleges and accreditors face a compliance crossroads: maintain prior DEI language at institutional risk or move quickly to rewrite standards to retain federal funding access and recognition.