Daily Briefing: Columbia Bends the Knee March 24, 2025-"Since taking office, the Trump administration spent a lot of time showing how much it wants to shutter the U.S. Department of Education without saying exactly how officials plan to pull it off," The Chronicle of Higher Education repor...
Federal Student Loans Will Be Overseen by the Small Business Administration March 24, 2025-"Federal student loans will be overseen by the Small Business Administration, President Trump said on Friday. That would mean transferring a $1.7-trillion portfolio," The Chronicle of Higher Education reports.
Navigating Announced Changes at the Department of Education March 24, 2025-"There are key changes to understand - in addition to President Trump’s executive order calling for the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education," NBC DFW reports.
What Could Happen to Financial Aid Without the Department of Education March 24, 2025-"President Donald Trump has officially moved to dismantle the Department of Education, but said federal funding for core programs, including Pell Grants and student financial aid, will be unaffected," CNBC reports.
Trump Cleaves Student Loan and Special Education Services From Education Dept. March 21, 2025-"President Trump announced Friday that the Education Department would no longer manage the nation’s $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio or supervise “special needs” programs in a major shake-up of an agency he has sought to elimina...
Trump’s Plan to Move Student Loans to SBA Raises Concerns March 21, 2025-"A day after White House officials said the Education Department would administer the student loan program, President Donald Trump announced that the Small Business Administration would be taking over the $1.7 trillion portfolio," Inside Higher Ed re...
Trump Says RFK Jr. Will Oversee Special Education, Child Nutrition March 21, 2025-"President Donald Trump, just one day after detailing his administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, announced plans to shift federal programs supporting students with disabilities and school meals to the Department...
Strong Feelings Are Emerging About Trump’s Executive Order March 21, 2025-"From 'creative destruction' to 'political theater,' education leaders are not mincing words about President Donald Trump’s executive order to begin shutting down the Department of Education," University Business reports.
Trump Orders Elimination of Department of Education; Shifts ‘Core Functions’ March 20, 2025-"President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday afternoon to “begin eliminating” the U.S. Department of Education. Surrounded by students at a White House ceremony, he introduced Linda McMahon as “hopefully” the las...
The Dismantling of the Education Department March 20, 2025-"With new Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon at the helm, the Trump administration's plans to dismantle the federal agency are underway," U.S. News & World Report writes.
What Do Education Department Cuts Mean for Student Loans? March 14, 2025-"President Donald Trump’s plan to eliminate the Department of Education and leave school policy to the states has raised concerns about the future of federal student loans and how they will be managed," News Nation reports.
Assessing the Damage After the Education Department’s Mass Layoffs March 13, 2025-"On Tuesday, the Trump administration fired nearly half of the Education Department’s roughly 4,100 employees, leaving the agency with a skeletal staff of about 2,183. Now, a day later, the scope and impact of those layoffs are beginning to tak...
Daily Briefing: Where the Education Department Cut Deepest March 13, 2025-"The U.S. Department of Education did little to outline exactly where it cut employees on the day after it announced a roughly 50-percent reduction in its workforce. But a general picture is emerging," The Chronicle of Higher Education reports.
Trump's Plan to Dismantle the Department of Education Is Officially Underway March 12, 2025-"DOGE slashing has begun at the agency that oversees trillions of dollars of student loans, disburses grants to low-income students and those with disabilities, and collects data on kids' reading and math outcomes," Yahoo News reports.
Education Department Documents Detail Massive Scope of Agency Worker Terminations March 12, 2025-"The Trump administration’s steep workforce cuts at the Education Department include hundreds of attorneys, student aid workers and civil rights office staff, according to agency documents obtained by POLITICO," reports POLITICO.
‘Reckless, Foolish and Vicious’: Education Department Cuts Slammed By Critics March 12, 2025-"Higher education groups and Democratic lawmakers have slammed the Trump administration’s move to cut the U.S. Department of Education’s staff roughly in half, voicing concerns that the agency won’t have enough workers to carry out ...
What the Education Dept.’s Job Cuts Could Mean for Financial Aid March 12, 2025-"When the U.S. Department of Education announced on Tuesday that it was eliminating nearly half of its staff, it said that it would 'continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview,' including Pell G...
Income-Driven Repayment Applications Shut Down, Student Loan Borrowers Left In the Dark March 6, 2025-"The U.S. Education Department took down the online and paper applications for all income-driven repayment (IDR) plans on Feb. 21, following the latest legal ruling in a lawsuit against the new IDR plan, Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE)," NerdWa...
The Education Dept. Survives for Now, but Program and Staffing Cuts Cause Upheaval March 6, 2025-"For now, the White House has not formally called for the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education. That’s little comfort for many in higher education who fear the administration will continue to wreak havoc with its move-fast-and-break-...
How a Shrinking Federal Student Aid Staff Will Impact Your Financial Aid February 26, 2025-"An internal list shows that about 10% of the Federal Student Aid (FSA) workforce — which oversees student loans — has accepted buyouts to leave their positions. Fewer workers processing financial aid might mean disruptions and delays to ...
Applications for Some Student Loan Repayment Plans Frozen February 26, 2025-"Student loan borrowers can no longer apply for income-driven repayment plans after the Trump administration paused applications—the Education Department’s first substantial action on student loans under the new president. But it’s ...
Student Loan Borrowers Could See Higher Payments After Judge's Ruling February 21, 2025-"A federal appeals court has blocked the Biden administration's student loan repayment program known as the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, leaving millions of borrowers uncertain about their repayment options," Newsweek reports.
New federal policies raise uncertainty in financial aid, admissions February 19, 2025-"With new Trump administration policies impacting college admissions and financial aid, experts say the future of higher education remains uncertain," The Brown Daily Herald reports.
5 Ways the Education Department Affects Higher Ed February 7, 2025-"Republicans’ long-sought goal of shuttering the Education Department got a boost this week as several media outlets reported the Trump administration was finalizing plans for an executive order to wind down the agency," Inside Higher Ed report...
Under Trump administration, some Chicago students think twice about FAFSA February 6, 2025-"In light of President Donald Trump’s threats of mass deportations, Chicago-area high schoolers with undocumented parents are weighing whether it’s worth it to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA," WBEZ re...
Insiders Reflect on the Scramble to Fix the FAFSA January 30, 2025-"After the bungled launch of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid last year, officials at the U.S. Education Department knew they had to do things differently for the next financial aid cycle," Inside Higher Ed reports.
How the FAFSA Could Become a New Tool for Immigration Enforcement January 29, 2025-"As prospective and current Brown students approach the Feb. 1 financial aid application deadline, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid could pose potential risks for students with parents who are lacking permanent legal status...
U of A Monitors Federal Grants Situation as Judge Blocks Freeze January 28, 2025-"Higher education officials in Arizona say they’re closely monitoring the quickly changing landscape, as a judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s sweeping freeze on federal grants, loans and financial assistance," Arizona Da...
What Trump’s Funding Freeze Could Mean for Student Aid January 28, 2025-"President Donald Trump has ordered a spending freeze on nearly all federal grants and loans effective at 5 p.m. Tuesday according to a White House budget office memo, as federal agencies review funding programs to ensure they align wi...
Education Dept.: Federal Aid Freeze Not Tied to Student Loans January 28, 2025-"The Department of Education said Tuesday that the sweeping freeze on federal aid instituted by the Trump administration does not impact federal student loans or 'assistance received directly by individuals,'" Newsmax reports.
How To Get a Student Loan Online: A Complete Guide January 27, 2025-"Applying for student loans online is an easy and convenient way to secure the funding you need to pursue your academic dreams. Whether you're completing the Free Application for Federal Aid (Fafsa) for federal student loans or working with a private...
Who Is In Charge of the Education Department Right Now? Few Details Are Out There January 22, 2025-"President Donald Trump tapped a veteran bureaucrat to lead the Education Department until the Senate confirms his appointee Linda McMahon, but he has so far held off on announcing other interim leaders for the agency," Inside Higher Ed reports.
DACA Students’ Guide to Filling Out the FAFSA for 2025-26 January 21, 2025-"DACA recipients are not eligible for federal aid, but they may still be able to get financial aid for college through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By completing the FAFSA, DACA students may be able to receive non-federa...
Weekly Education: Brace for Trump's Education Actions January 20, 2025-"The Education Department on Friday announced it reopened the reporting period for institutions to submit data for gainful employment and financial value transparency reporting requirements until Feb. 18, after some schools were unable to meet t...
Students From Mixed-Status Families Face FAFSA Fears January 13, 2025-"Filling out federal financial aid forms for college has always been scary for students from mixed-immigration-status families, like Melissa Reyes of Passaic," NJ Spotlight News reports.
Here’s How Trump May Reshape Higher Education in His First 100 Days January 13, 2025-"Donald Trump will soon assert control over the Department of Education (ED) again, promising to enact changes sure to shake up the U.S. higher education system," Best Colleges reports.
Should the U.S. Regulate Cost of Attendance? January 8, 2025-"For nearly four decades, the federal government had no authority to regulate cost of attendance, a figure calculated by colleges and universities that estimates how much a student will pay to attend the institution," Inside Higher Ed reports.
How Trump's Potential Shutdown of the Education Department Could Affect Your Loans January 2, 2025-"Incoming-President Donald Trump's second term is expected to have its share of shake-ups. Trump has promised to shut down several government agencies in an effort to reduce wasteful spending, which could have dramatic effects on the way government w...
PAYE and ICR Student Loan Plans Reopen: Should You Enroll? December 19, 2024-"As of Dec. 16, federal student loan borrowers can once again enroll in two income-driven repayment plans — Paye as You Earn (PAYE) and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), according to an Education Department spokesperson," NerdWallet reports.
What Will Trump's Second Term Mean For Student Loans? December 17, 2024-"As the Trump administration gears up to take over the White House in January of 2025, many student borrowers are wondering what comes next," Forbes reports.
Biden Signs Law Mandating Oct. 1 Deadline for FAFSA Release December 12, 2024-"President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed a bill into law that will require the U.S. Department of Education to make the Free Application for Federal Student Aid available by Oct. 1 each year," Higher Ed Dive reports.
New FAFSA Launches Early to Cautiously Positive Reception November 27, 2024-"Applying for financial aid looks like it’ll be a much less bumpy process for college-bound students and their parents this coming academic year compared to the glitch-filled debacle that roiled the higher education world in 2024," Yahoo Financ...
Will the FAFSA Cycle Be Smoother This Year? November 25, 2024-"The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was among the 2,000-plus higher ed institutions that served as the initial beta testers for the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid," Higher Ed Dive reports.
New York Republican Proposes to Slash Student Loan Interest Rates November 22, 2024-"With President-elect Trump set to return to the White House in January, the sun appears to be setting on the Biden administration's student loan handout spree. But one moderate New York Republican still thinks Congress should act to ease the debt bu...
2025-26 FAFSA Launches Ahead of Schedule November 22, 2024-"The 2025-26 FAFSA form is now available for all students, more than a week ahead of schedule," BestColleges reports.
FAFSA Is Officially Out, and Everyone Is Cautiously Optimistic November 21, 2024-"The Education Department on Thursday officially released the federal student aid application for the 2025-2026 academic year, ahead of schedule and after an extensive testing period to avoid another tumultuous rollout of the financial aid form," The...
The FAFSA Is Live, Tested, and ‘Already Working’ November 21, 2024-"The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is now available to all users and running smoothly, the U.S. Department of Education announced on Thursday. You may keep your fingers crossed, if you like," The Chronicle of Higher Educati...
What to Know About Filing your FAFSA November 20, 2024-"This year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is now open to all students. But after last year’s messy rollout of a new streamlined process, parents and students may be a little wary. In some cases, glitches and delays ...
How To Refinance a Student Loan Without a Degree November 19, 2024-"Withdrawing from college can make it difficult to refinance student loans, as many lenders require that you make it to graduation. However, there are some lenders that will refinance student loans without a degree," The Wall Street Journal reports.
FAFSA Now Open To All Families For 2025-2026 November 18, 2024-"The Department of Education quietly announced that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be open for all families to complete as of November 18, 2024, as it wraps up final beta testing," Forbes reports.
The 2025-26 FAFSA Is Open Ahead of Schedule—How to Apply for Aid November 18, 2024-"Just ahead of the official Dec. 1 launch date, the Department of Education announced all students and families can now access the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid," CNBC reports.
FAFSA Availability Delayed Until December November 18, 2024-"The release date for the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid has been delayed, making the application available on Dec. 1 instead of the usual date of Oct. 1," The Daily Titan reports.
Financial Aid Fraud Is Growing at California’s Community Colleges November 13, 2024-"Since the Covid-19 pandemic, California’s community colleges have been plagued by scammers who pose as students and enroll to steal financial aid — and now it’s getting even worse," EdSource reports.
Stay With SAVE for Student Loan Forgiveness, Experts Say – With 4 Exceptions November 7, 2024-"If you're enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education repayment plan, you might be wondering if you should leave this repayment plan following this week's election results. For now, experts say it's still wise to wait -- in most cases," CNET...
Experts Say Not to Leave the SAVE Student Loan Plan Except in These 4 Situations October 30, 2024-"The online application for income-driven repayment plans is back after a two-month hiatus, but options for borrowers remain limited. If you're currently on the Saving on a Valuable Education repayment plan, which has been blocked by a court inj...
32 Years After FAFSA’s Creation, Students Are Struggling to Apply for Financial Aid October 29, 2024-"When George Washington University student Gabriela Peña filled out her Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, in March 2024, she was not expecting to receive a decrease in her financial aid package months later," The W...
Some Colleges Are Targeting Financial Aid to Middle-Class Families October 24, 2024-"For Emily Kayser, the prospect of covering her son’s college tuition on a teacher’s salary is “scary. It’s very stressful.” To pay for it, “I’m thinking, what can I sell?”," NPR reports.
How to Get In-State College Tuition October 21, 2024-"Most public colleges and universities offer two different rates for tuition: one for in-state residents and one for students from out of state," Yahoo Finance reports.