The U.S. Department of Education announced a two-year cut to interest rates for federal student loans for borrowers who are on autopay, with the incentive reducing rates by one percentage point for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2012. The benefit expires June 30, 2028. At the same time, higher education’s financing picture continues to shift at the state level. Minnesota launched the SELF Grad Loan program to fill gaps left by federal changes, including the elimination of Grad PLUS loans and caps on other federal borrowing. The program offers fixed, low-interest terms with caps tied to program type and optional co-signing. Together, the moves underscore how quickly student aid policy is forcing institutions and students to adjust budgeting and enrollment planning—especially for graduate programs where tuition and living costs strain aid eligibility. Separately, a court challenge was filed against Education Department actions discontinuing English learner teacher-training grants, arguing the terminations ignored established multiyear grant criteria and were based on ideological screening rather than performance.