White House aims to revise eligibility for some student loan forgiveness programs

March 26, 2025

USA TODAY — President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order attempting to begin the process of altering the terms of a major student loan relief program.

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US Education Department fires nearly one half of its staff

March 26, 2025

INSIDE HIGHER ED — McMahon said the reductions are a “significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.” Critics say they are reckless and will lead to chaos and confusion.

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How US Education Department layoffs could affect higher education

March 26, 2025

INSIDE HIGHER ED — The Trump administration’s deep cuts at the department hit some offices harder than others, but the effects will likely be felt by students, families and institutions across the country.

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US Education Department layoffs devastate workforce of National Center for Education Statistics

March 26, 2025

INSIDE HIGHER ED — The department says the research agency failed to effectively fulfill its mandate and exemplifies wasteful spending. But experts warn the cuts will undermine “the backbone of accountability” for the country’s schools and colleges.

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Universities struggle to understand how to comply with White House executive orders affecting higher education

March 26, 2025

THE ATLANTIC — The Trump administration’s confusing instructions to universities have generated a flurry of nomenclature modifications—a kind of anti-woke theater.

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Current cuts to federal research funding worry early-career researchers

March 26, 2025

INSIDE HIGHER ED — Julia Barnes, a National Science Foundation postdoctoral research fellow, was watching President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress last week when she heard him refer to her work as an “appalling waste” that needs to end.

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Cuts to Columbia University federal funding affects research grants

March 26, 2025

INSIDE HIGHER ED — When the Trump administration announced Friday it was cutting about $400 million in grants and contracts from Columbia University, it didn’t specify what exactly it was slashing. But news of the scope of the cuts has begun trickling out of the institution over the past couple of days.

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US judge temporarily blocks plan to cut millions in funding for teacher training

March 26, 2025

AP NEWS — A federal judge in Boston on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration’s plan to cut hundreds of millions of dollars for teacher training, finding that cuts are already affecting training programs aimed at addressing a nationwide teacher shortage.

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Universities advocate against endowment-tax increases amid cuts to federal funding

March 26, 2025

BLOOMBERG TAX — Even before Donald Trump said he would pull $400 million in funding from Columbia University on Friday, officials at the wealthiest US colleges were making efforts to fight monetary salvos from his administration.

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Department of Education releases guidance on anti-DEI directive but questions remain

March 20, 2025

INSIDE HIGHER ED — Higher ed leaders have been asking the U.S. Department of Education for more detailed guidance ever since the Office for Civil Rights issued a Dear Colleague letter on Feb. 14 calling for the elimination of race-conscious programming and policies.

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