One Big Beautiful Bill Has Huge Impacts on Higher Ed. Here’s Everything Students Need to Know
President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill ushers in significant changes to the federal financial aid and student loan system, impacting most college students.
Recent Higher Ed Policy
Colleges’ Access to Federal Financial Aid Is Now Tied to Students’ Earnings. Here’s How It Could Impact Popular Degrees
President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” ties colleges’ access to federal student loans to students’ postgraduation earnings.
Updated July 8, 2025
2026-27 FAFSA Updates: What Students Need to Know About Federal Financial Aid
The full 2026-27 FAFSA is expected to launch Oct. 1, 2025. It would be the first on-time FAFSA launch since 2022.
Updated June 27, 2025
Congress Is Poised To Expand Workforce Pell. Here’s What It Means for Adult Learners
Proposals to expand the Pell Grant to short-term certificate programs could have a big impact on adult learners seeking to advance their careers.
Updated June 25, 2025
Proposed Pell Grant Cuts Could Have Outsized Impact on Online, Adult Students
Experts told BestColleges that the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that passed the U.S. House in May could cause many part-time students to lose access to critical financial aid.
Updated June 19, 2025
Whats going on In Higher Ed Policy
Survey: Administrators Anticipate ‘Disruption’ of Financial Aid Delivery
Updated June 3, 2025
Education Department Cuts Could Leave Colleges Without Critical Data. Here’s What Students Need To Know.
Updated May 27, 2025
All Higher Ed Policy
House Proposal Revokes Financial Aid Eligibility for Select Student Groups
Refugees and other immigrant groups previously eligible for federal financial aid may lose their eligibility for the 2025-26 academic year.
California Proposal Would Widen Online College Options
If passed, California students would have more online college options but without many of the consumer protection laws they enjoy.
Trump Budget Proposal Eliminates Childcare Subsidy for Parenting College Students
The president’s budget would cut all $75 million in funding for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program.
Lawmakers Spar Over Proposed Pell Grant Eligibility Cuts
An estimated 20% of Pell Grant recipients would need to increase their courseload to maintain eligibility.
Trump Executive Order Targets DEI in College Accreditation
The executive order makes good on Trump’s campaign promises to make sweeping changes to the country’s college accreditation system.
Bipartisan Proposal Would Make Pell Grants Tax-Exempt
If passed, low-income college students could qualify for larger tax refunds.
Student Advocates Sue to Stop Cuts to Higher Education Data Systems
The lawsuit is a response to the Trump administration’s dismantling of the Institute of Education Sciences.
Bipartisan Proposal Would Slash Student Loan Interest Rates
The Affordable Loans for Students Act would cap student loan interest rates at 2% and automatically apply this new interest rate to existing loans.
Trump Admin to Redefine Student Loan Repayment, Forgiveness Programs
The Department of Education will get to rewrite regulations concerning federal student loan programs through negotiated rulemaking.
Borrower FAQ: Trump Moves Student Loans to Small Business Administration
Learn how the Small Business Administration managing the federal student loan portfolio could impact borrowers.
Trump Signs Executive Order to Begin Dismantling Department of Education
Closing the department would require an act of Congress, but the Trump administration could effectively make it impossible for employees to carry out their work.
What Is the College Cost Reduction Act?
Republicans may use the proposal as a model for cost-cutting as the House Committee on Education and the Workforce looks for $330 billion in cuts over the next 10 years.