The Trump administration finalized a policy capping student visa stays at four years, an adjustment that has drawn renewed criticism from higher education groups—especially for doctoral students who often need more time to complete programs. Under the rule, international students seeking more than four years would need to apply for an exception from the federal government. The move follows earlier proposals and continued outcry as institutions plan recruitment, staffing, and time-to-degree strategies. The weekly policy recap also notes continued sector stress indicators, including the median operating margin for private colleges turning negative for a third consecutive year and specific state funding changes that add to institutional financial uncertainty.