Education Department launches probes into over 50 colleges after anti-DEI guidance

The new investigations are part of the agency’s aggressive tactics to carry out President Donald Trump’s higher education policy priorities.

By Natalie Schwartz • March 14, 2025

Columbia University faces ultimatum from Trump administration to keep federal funding

Federal officials told the Ivy League institution to remake its disciplinary process and suspend or expel some pro-Palestinian protesters by March 20.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 14, 2025

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Artificial Intelligence

As AI continues its forward march in education and the workplace, colleges are grapplling with how best to incorporate the emerging technology into admissions, courrsework and elsewhere

By Higher Ed Dive staff

Johns Hopkins to lay off 2,200 workers as it reels from Trump’s USAID cuts

The university said previously it faced an $800 million funding shortfall from the hollowed-out aid agency and would have to wind down programs.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 14, 2025

Trump administration silent on Muslim students’ civil rights

While this Education Department has taken strong action on antisemitism, its directives to date have not mentioned Islamophobia.

By Naaz Modan • Updated March 14, 2025

USDA restores funding to University of Maine System

In an about-face, the agency resumed payments after Sen. Susan Collins spoke with Trump administration officials.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 13, 2025

Kentucky lawmakers vote to ban DEI spending at public colleges

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is unlikely to sign the bill, but Republican lawmakers hold a veto-proof supermajority in the Legislature.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 13, 2025

Half of OCR eliminated after Trump Education Department layoffs

The shuttering of seven civil rights enforcement offices means thousands of cases impacting colleges in half the nation are up in the air.

By Naaz Modan • March 13, 2025

‘Reckless, foolish and vicious’: Education Department cuts slammed by critics

Democratic lawmakers and higher ed groups voiced concerns that the firings would leave the agency without enough people to carry out key functions.

By Natalie Schwartz • March 12, 2025

USDA pauses funding to University of Maine System

The funding freeze follows a spat between President Donald Trump and Gov. Janet Mills over his order restricting transgender students from women’s sports.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 12, 2025

How college presidents are quietly resisting federal attacks on higher education

Many leaders of institutions favor behind-the-scenes resistance over protests and op-eds, the Council of Independent Colleges’ president writes. 

By Marjorie Hass • March 12, 2025

Education Department announces massive layoffs, slashing nearly half its workforce

The agency’s employee count will plummet from 4,133 when President Donald Trump was inaugurated to about 2,183.

By Naaz Modan • Updated March 11, 2025

Harvard among latest universities to freeze hiring amid federal funding uncertainty

The Ivy League institution’s officials emphasized that the move was temporary and meant to “preserve our financial flexibility.”

By Ben Unglesbee • March 11, 2025

Education Department warns 60 colleges it could take action over antisemitism concerns

The letters escalate the Trump administration’s scrutiny of how colleges are handling student protests over the Israel-Hamas war. 

By Natalie Schwartz • March 10, 2025

Trump’s Education Department changes could lead to systemic ‘chaos’

Cuts to contracts, staff and civil rights probes might backfire, leading to less oversight and more mismanagement, education experts warn.

By Naaz Modan • March 10, 2025

ABA faces DOJ wrath over law school diversity requirements

"Any requirement that law schools demonstrate 'a commitment to diversity' is deeply problematic," said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 10, 2025

DOL files fresh appeal of a Texas decision vacating its new overtime rule

It’s now the second such filing by the agency with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

By Ryan Golden • March 7, 2025

Trump administration cancels $400M of Columbia’s grants and contracts amid antisemitism probe

The cancellation comes only four days after the probe into the Ivy League institution was announced. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Updated March 7, 2025

‘Stay of execution’: Where’s Trump’s order to shut down Education Department?

While an executive order didn't come down as expected Thursday, the education community is bracing for more cuts to key department resources.

By Naaz Modan • March 6, 2025

‘Perplexing and distressing’: Johns Hopkins warns of budget cuts amid Trump-era funding chaos

The institution is grappling with the “unexpected stoppage” of $800 million in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 5, 2025

NEA, ACLU challenge Education Department’s DEI letter

Despite the department's attempt to clarify the original directive, education and civil rights organizations are pushing forward with their lawsuits.

By Naaz Modan • March 5, 2025

Education Department sued over cuts to teacher training grants

Three teacher preparation groups allege that the agency’s recent termination of three federal grant programs approved by Congress is unlawful.

By Anna Merod • March 4, 2025

Trump administration launches review of Columbia University’s grants and contracts

The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is probing the institution’s funding over allegations it hasn’t protected Jewish students from harassment. 

By Natalie Schwartz • March 4, 2025

McMahon confirmed as education secretary

Linda McMahon says she will end federal bureaucracy at the U.S. Department of Education but did not commit to closing the agency.

By Kara Arundel • March 3, 2025

Education Department Q&A clarifies DEI restrictions

The agency's new document appeared to ease some of the strictest aspects of its February letter taking aim at colleges' diversity initiatives.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 3, 2025

Arizona bill to cut off state funding over college DEI courses gains traction

If signed into law, faculty at the state's public colleges would not be able to teach about subjects like antiracism and unconscious bias.

By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 28, 2025