Pressure mounts for Education Department to release research funds

The U.S. Department of Education says it will meet its statutory obligations for funding, but lawmakers say nearly $300 million is still unspent.

By Kara Arundel • May 22, 2026

Education Department proposal would erode student protections, critics warn

They praised some regulatory proposals that would require programs to pass an earnings test but said others would weaken the gainful employment rule.

By Natalie Schwartz • May 22, 2026

States sue over Education Department’s professional student definition

The lawsuit contends that the agency imposed requirements not found in statute that limit federal loan access for graduate nursing and other fields.

By Natalie Schwartz • May 20, 2026

DOL rescinds Biden-era overtime rule, formalizing return to 2019 salary threshold

The salary threshold is only part of the exemption test, one attorney reminded HR leads.

By Caroline Colvin • May 19, 2026

Supreme Court to determine if college employees can sue under Title IX

The 11th U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in 2024 that Title IX's right to sue doesn't apply to college staff, diverging from at least eight other appeals courts.

By Naaz Modan • May 18, 2026

Education Department releases final rule for Workforce Pell

The regulations detail the process for how short-term programs can get approval from the federal government to be eligible for Pell Grants. 

By Natalie Schwartz • May 18, 2026

Do enrollment management strategies lead to high debt for poor families?

The author of a New America report argues efforts to maximize enrollment have left many lower-income families relying heavily on Parent PLUS loans.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 18, 2026

EEOC moves to axe EEO-1 reporting

The agency wants to scrap a variety of employer reporting requirements, according to a plan sent to the White House on Thursday.

By Caroline Colvin • May 15, 2026

McMahon grilled over professional degree definition, OCR caseload

House Republicans and Democrats alike questioned new regulations that exclude graduate nursing program students from higher loan caps. 

By Natalie Schwartz • May 14, 2026

OCR resolved only 1% of cases in 2025, report shows

The findings from Sen. Bernie Sanders' office show only 112 resolution agreements were reached and none addressed antisemitism or Islamophobia.

By Naaz Modan • May 14, 2026

UCLA medical school faces federal civil rights accusation

The Trump administration on Wednesday alleged that the highly selective school illegally gives preference to Black and Hispanic applicants.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 7, 2026

Smith College faces Title IX probe over policy of admitting trans students

The U.S. Department of Education is taking aim at the decade-old policy at the women’s college following a civil rights complaint from a conservative group.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 5, 2026

Why GSA’s anti-DEI certification is raising alarm in higher education

Colleges that don’t sign the General Services Administration’s proposed certification could face severe penalties, including losing their federal funding. 

By David Weisenfeld • May 4, 2026

Education Department finalizes rule tightening federal student lending

The agency kept a contested definition of “professional” student that excludes fields like graduate nursing and physical therapy from higher loan caps.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 30, 2026

State lawmakers eye accreditation policy changes as new agency forms

Recent laws and proposals could make it easier for public colleges to leave their accreditors for the nascent Commission for Public Higher Education. 

By Danielle McLean • April 30, 2026

Stanford faces Education Department probe over racial discrimination allegations

The investigation centers on a program that aimed to professionally and financially support K-12 teachers seeking certification.

By Natalie Schwartz • April 29, 2026

3 insights from McMahon’s testimony on the Education Department’s budget proposal

Lawmakers grilled U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon on the agency’s dismantling, its handling of civil rights cases and the future of TRIO. 

By Natalie Schwartz • April 28, 2026

Court blocks Education Department’s data demands for over 170 more colleges

The ruling expands an earlier pause on the agency’s collection of extensive race and sex admissions data for public colleges in 17 states.

By Natalie Schwartz • April 27, 2026

Higher education groups challenge Trump’s latest anti-DEI order

A coalition of organizations is suing over a directive that threatens to strip federal contracts from colleges over their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. 

By Natalie Schwartz • April 22, 2026

Colleges get another year to comply with web accessibility deadlines

Reactions were mixed to the U.S. Department of Justice's extension for digitally accessible content managed by state and local government entities.

By Kara Arundel • April 22, 2026

University of Arizona off the hook for $72M in discharged Ashford loans

The U.S. Department of Education under the Trump administration decided against seeking to potentially recoup millions from the public flagship.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 20, 2026

Education Department rescinds Title IX pacts protecting LGBTQ+ students

The resolution agreements, which the agency called "illegal," were reached under previous Democratic administrations.

By Naaz Modan • April 8, 2026