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Latest Higher Education News

Student loan rules tighten for graduate programs and education credentials

May 02, 2026

The U.S. Department of Education finalized new federal student-loan regulations that tighten borrowing limits for graduate and professional programs, with most changes taking effect July 1. The...

Accreditation pathways shift as states consider new oversight models

May 02, 2026

State lawmakers are moving toward legislation that would allow public colleges to exit existing accreditors and pursue a state-backed alternative, according to reporting bundled under the...

E-rate bidding changes spark claims of burdens for small schools and libraries

May 02, 2026

The FCC approved a new competitive bidding portal for the E-rate program, which funds school internet connectivity, replacing a prior self-certification approach with verifiable data requirements....

Campus leadership and board oversight come under scrutiny in Utah

May 02, 2026

The Utah Board of Higher Education plans to review presidential exit-package policies after questions about severance payments at Utah Valley University following the planned departure of...

AI tools used in student coursework trigger enforcement at universities

May 02, 2026

A Notre Dame first-year student’s AI agent pitch to the undergraduate population prompted rapid administrative action, including deletion of the email offer and account disablement, as the...

University commencements face political climate and safety concerns

May 02, 2026

Multiple colleges adjusted or disrupted commencement plans as fears of political confrontation and violence spread during graduation season. At least four institutions made changes, ranging from...

HBCU research coordination takes a new step

May 02, 2026

HBCU researchers launched an association aimed at fostering collaboration, strengthening cross-institution research partnerships, and building shared capacity for grant development and scholarly...

Student affordability pressure deepens—new data on college non-enrollment

May 02, 2026

A new EAB report finds that 67% of high school graduates who chose not to enroll in college cited cost-of-living concerns as a primary reason, up from 51% in the prior year. The data also points...

Campus student success investment—example tuition pledge expands access

May 02, 2026

The University of Pittsburgh announced the Pitt Regional Campus Tuition Pledge, offering free tuition at its four branch campuses for Pennsylvanians with household incomes below $75,000. The...

College access and discipline: FAFSA fears tied to data-sharing risks for families

May 02, 2026

Students with undocumented parents are increasingly hesitant to complete the FAFSA due to fears that their information could be shared with immigration enforcement agencies, according to reporting...

Federal graduate student loan overhaul limits borrowing

May 02, 2026

The U.S. Department of Education finalized rules tightening federal graduate student lending, including new caps that treat only 11 narrowly defined graduate fields as “professional,” granting...

FCC E-rate bidding portal raises compliance and access concerns

May 02, 2026

The FCC approved a new competitive bidding portal for the E-rate program, replacing self-certification processes with verifiable data and standardized procurement workflows. The change is aimed at...

Accreditation autonomy under pressure as states back new accreditor

May 02, 2026

State lawmakers and public higher education systems are moving toward changes that would let institutions shift away from longstanding accreditors toward a newly formed, state-backed accrediting...

Universities adjust graduation plans amid campus climate and security fears

May 02, 2026

A wave of commencement disruptions this spring shows universities reworking plans after protests, political controversy, and safety concerns. Utah Valley University canceled a scheduled...

Bard leadership forced out after Epstein-related review

May 02, 2026

Leon Botstein will retire this summer as Bard College’s president after an investigation found he “was not fully accurate” about his relationship ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The review concluded he...

Corporate AI churn spills into higher ed ethics debates

May 02, 2026

A string of developments around generative AI and workplace automation are feeding scrutiny of how AI tools will reshape entry-level pathways—an issue universities increasingly address in career...

Tuition affordability and enrollment pressures intensify at regional campuses

May 02, 2026

Colleges are responding to affordability and enrollment pressures with tuition promises and regional retention strategies. The University of Pittsburgh announced it will offer free tuition at its...

State and campus leadership reviews tied to severance and governance optics

May 02, 2026

The Utah Board of Higher Education will review presidential exit package policies after questions about severance payments at Utah Valley University. The scrutiny centers on a reported $304,789...

Declining institutional finances drive restructuring and possible closure risk

May 02, 2026

Financial strain continues to push public colleges toward aggressive restructuring and, in some cases, closure timelines. Southern Oregon University faces major operational cuts and a potential...

Student cost concerns and AI anxiety sharpen enrollment choices

May 02, 2026

New survey data highlights how cost-of-living pressures are reshaping postsecondary decisions while AI uncertainty grows as a student planning factor. EAB research found 67% of surveyed high...