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.

Matthew Arrojas
by Matthew ArrojasPublished May 21, 2025
President Trump Participates In National Day Of Prayer Event At White House

Recent Higher Ed Policy

Trump Executive Order Targets DEI in College Accreditation

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.

Matthew Arrojas

by Matthew Arrojas

Updated April 25, 2025

Bipartisan Proposal Would Make Pell Grants Tax-Exempt

Bipartisan Proposal Would Make Pell Grants Tax-Exempt

If passed, low-income college students could qualify for larger tax refunds.

Matthew Arrojas

by Matthew Arrojas

Updated April 21, 2025

Student Advocates Sue to Stop Cuts to Higher Education Data Systems

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.

Matthew Arrojas

by Matthew Arrojas

Updated April 9, 2025

Whats going on In Higher Ed Policy

Bipartisan Proposal Would Slash Student Loan Interest Rates

Bipartisan Proposal Would Slash Student Loan Interest Rates

Matthew Arrojas

by Matthew Arrojas

Updated April 8, 2025

Trump Admin to Redefine Student Loan Repayment, Forgiveness Programs

Trump Admin to Redefine Student Loan Repayment, Forgiveness Programs

Matthew Arrojas

by Matthew Arrojas

Updated April 8, 2025

Borrower FAQ: Trump Moves Student Loans to Small Business Administration

Borrower FAQ: Trump Moves Student Loans to Small Business Administration

Matthew Arrojas

by Matthew Arrojas

Updated April 9, 2025

All Higher Ed Policy

Trump Signs Executive Order to Begin Dismantling Department of Education

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.

Matthew Arrojas March 21, 2025
What Is the College Cost Reduction Act?

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.

Matthew Arrojas March 19, 2025
Illinois Community Colleges May Soon Offer Bachelor’s Degrees

Illinois Community Colleges May Soon Offer Bachelor’s Degrees

Community college systems in nearly half of U.S. states already offer limited bachelor’s degree options, but not Illinois.

Matthew Arrojas March 17, 2025
This Ohio Proposal Has Big Implications for Free Speech on College Campuses

This Ohio Proposal Has Big Implications for Free Speech on College Campuses

Free speech advocates worry the overly broad language of the proposal will chill professor and student speech.

Matthew Arrojas March 12, 2025
Trump Executive Order Limits Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Trump Executive Order Limits Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Employees of nonprofit organizations “whose activities have a substantial illegal purpose” would no longer be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Matthew Arrojas March 10, 2025
Linda McMahon Confirmed as Secretary of Education

Linda McMahon Confirmed as Secretary of Education

McMahon will now lead the department she believes should be dissolved during the Trump presidency.

Matthew Arrojas March 5, 2025
106 Organizations Urge Congress to Avoid Pell Grant Cuts

106 Organizations Urge Congress to Avoid Pell Grant Cuts

Lawmakers will soon have to contend with a projected $2.7 billion shortfall in Pell Grant funding.

Matthew Arrojas March 4, 2025
Student Unionization Efforts Stall Under Trump Administration

Student Unionization Efforts Stall Under Trump Administration

Experts expect student unionization efforts at private colleges and universities to come to a standstill during the second Trump administration.

Matthew Arrojas February 21, 2025
Inside the Upstart College Accrediting Agency Focused on Student Outcomes

Inside the Upstart College Accrediting Agency Focused on Student Outcomes

While some disagree with its process, a new accrediting agency is looking to shake up college accreditation with its focus on student outcomes and wages.

Matthew Arrojas February 18, 2025
5 Takeaways: Education Secretary Nominee Linda McMahon’s Confirmation Hearing

5 Takeaways: Education Secretary Nominee Linda McMahon’s Confirmation Hearing

The nominee spoke about a myriad of higher education issues, including Pell Grant expansion and sexual harassment on college campuses.

Matthew Arrojas February 15, 2025
FAFSA Drops ‘Nonbinary’ Gender ID Option, Streamlines Race/Ethnicity Questions

FAFSA Drops ‘Nonbinary’ Gender ID Option, Streamlines Race/Ethnicity Questions

Removing “nonbinary” from the FAFSA form puts it in compliance with Trump’s executive order making it official U.S. policy to recognize only two sexes.

Matthew Arrojas February 10, 2025
Pell Grant Program Faces $2.7 Billion Deficit. Here’s What Students Need to Know.

Pell Grant Program Faces $2.7 Billion Deficit. Here’s What Students Need to Know.

The last time Congress faced a funding shortfall, it made lasting cuts to the Pell Grant program.

Matthew Arrojas April 16, 2025