Elon Musk’s DOGE Accessed Student Data. Can Student Loans Be Discharged Through FERPA Complaints?

The viral TikTok loophole to eliminate student debt may not have legal standing, but students can take other steps to protect their educational records.

Jessica Bryant
by Jessica BryantPublished February 12, 2025
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Trump Wants to Close the Education Department. Here’s What That Might Mean for Students’ Financial Aid.

Trump Wants to Close the Education Department. Here’s What That Might Mean for Students’ Financial Aid.

Congressionally appropriated financial aid college students depend on such as Pell Grants and federal work-study programs wouldn’t go away. But there could be disruptions.

Elin Johnson

by Elin Johnson

Updated February 7, 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

by Matthew Arrojas

Updated 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

by Matthew Arrojas

Updated February 6, 2025

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Is Psychology a STEM Major?

Is Psychology a STEM Major?

Evan Castillo

by Evan Castillo

Updated February 6, 2025

California State University Partnership Brings ChatGPT to Campus

California State University Partnership Brings ChatGPT to Campus

Margaret Attridge

by Margaret Attridge

Updated February 11, 2025

Graduates From This Bachelor of Business Administration Program Landed Six-Figure Salaries

Graduates From This Bachelor of Business Administration Program Landed Six-Figure Salaries

Bennett Leckrone

by Bennett Leckrone

Updated February 5, 2025

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Fix to Georgia College Completion Grant Would Make Thousands More Students Eligible

Fix to Georgia College Completion Grant Would Make Thousands More Students Eligible

The amendment would correct an oversight that put the $2,500 grant out of reach for most students in two-year programs.

February 4, 2025
Upcoming FCC Supreme Court Case Could Impact Internet Access for Rural Students

Upcoming FCC Supreme Court Case Could Impact Internet Access for Rural Students

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on subsidies for rural Americans’ broadband access, potentially stretching the digital divide.

January 31, 2025
Report: Online College Programs Rarely Cheaper Than In-Person Learning

Report: Online College Programs Rarely Cheaper Than In-Person Learning

Only 24% of institutions reported lower prices for online college programs compared to face-to-face programs.

January 31, 2025
Will Biden’s Guidance on OPM Partnerships Hold Up Under Trump? Here’s What Students Need to Know.

Will Biden’s Guidance on OPM Partnerships Hold Up Under Trump? Here’s What Students Need to Know.

In its waning days, the Biden administration issued one last salvo against online program managers, but will it have teeth now that Trump is in office?

January 31, 2025
Trump Threatens to Deport International Students Who Protested Israel-Hamas War

Trump Threatens to Deport International Students Who Protested Israel-Hamas War

An executive order signed by President Donald Trump addresses “the explosion of antisemitism” on college campuses and could allow foreign student protesters to be deported.

February 3, 2025
Republican Proposal Would Impose 21% Tax on University Endowments

Republican Proposal Would Impose 21% Tax on University Endowments

The Endowment Tax Fairness Act seeks to levy a 21% tax on the endowments of wealthy universities, such as those in the Ivy League.

January 31, 2025
Does College Selectivity Predict Earnings? Sort Of.

Does College Selectivity Predict Earnings? Sort Of.

A new study shows that earnings advantages accrue with greater selectivity, becoming even more pronounced depending on the field of study.

January 30, 2025
Another Major Business School Announces Its First Woman Dean

Another Major Business School Announces Its First Woman Dean

The Stanford University Graduate School of Business announced Sarah Soule as its new dean, joining a growing number of top business schools with women as deans.

January 30, 2025
Federal Grant Freeze Won’t Impact College Student Financial Aid

Federal Grant Freeze Won’t Impact College Student Financial Aid

During President Donald Trump’s federal funding pause, Title IV funds, including Pell Grants and federal student loans, will still find their way to college students.

January 29, 2025
First Amendment Concerns Arise From West Virginia Executive Order Targeting DEI

First Amendment Concerns Arise From West Virginia Executive Order Targeting DEI

Advocacy groups argue that the order is unconstitutional and overbroad, impacting higher education classrooms and restricting educators’ freedom of speech.

January 28, 2025
Don’t Want to Take the GMAT? You Probably Want an Online MBA

Don’t Want to Take the GMAT? You Probably Want an Online MBA

Students who opt out of graduate admissions tests overwhelmingly prefer online MBAs, according to the higher ed consulting firm Validated Insights.

January 27, 2025
Congress Considers Ending In-School Student Loan Interest Pause

Congress Considers Ending In-School Student Loan Interest Pause

The policy change being considered by Republicans would increase student debt owed for many low-income students pursuing a college degree or credential.

January 27, 2025