HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

October 6, 2025

The number of international students arriving in the United States in August fell by 19 percent, the largest decline on record outside of the pandemic, The New York Times reports... Inside Higher Ed reports on the reaction to the Trump administration's proposed compact for colleges and universities, including ACE President Ted Mitchell calling it "a horrible precedent..." The Education Department will resume student loan forgiveness for some borrowers, The Washington Post reports... Higher education leaders, advocates, and Education Department officials made progress toward implementing the student loan overhaul enacted in the reconciliation bill this summer, though big issues remain, Inside Higher Ed reports... A dozen of San Antonio’s colleges and universities are bracing for the loss of federal grants after the Department of Education halted the disbursement of funds for Hispanic Serving Institutions, reports the San Antonion Report.

Nearly 20 Percent Fewer International Students Traveled to the U.S. in August
The New York Times (sub. req.) | Oct. 5, 2025

Higher Ed Sounds Off on Proposed Compact
Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 6, 2025

Trump Administration Resumes Student Loan Forgiveness
The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Oct. 4, 2025

ED Opens Door to Student Loan Cap Negotiations
Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 6, 2025

San Antonio’s Hispanic-Serving Colleges See Millions in Federal Grants Stripped Away
San Antonion Report | Oct. 5, 2025

October 3, 2025

The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Associated Press are among the outlets continuing to cover the White House's announcement it wants institutions to sign a “compact” to receive federal funding preference.

Trump Administration Asks Colleges to Sign ‘Compact’ to Get Funding Preference
The New York Times (sub. req.) | Oct. 2, 2025

Trump Offered Universities an Invitation for a Deal. Some See a Trap.
The New York Times (sub. req.) | Oct. 2, 2025

Trump Asks 9 Colleges to Commit to his Political Agenda and Get Favorable Access to Federal Money
The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Oct. 2, 2025

White House Pushes Colleges to Commit to Trump Agenda to Boost Access to Federal Funds
USA Today | Oct. 2, 2025

October 2, 2025

The Trump administration has asked some colleges to align with its preferred policies in order to gain a competitive edge in securing research funding, The Wall Street Journal reports… This year’s FAFSA process is off to a smooth start, with 125,000 applications already begun, The Hill reports… International students in California are fearful that the Trump administration’s immigration polices could impact them, EdSource reports… A new survey highlights how professors are using AI.

White House Asks Colleges to Sign Sweeping Agreement to Get Funding Advantage
The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | Oct. 2, 2025

FAFSA Forms, Launched Ahead of Shutdown, Could Be in Position for ‘Record High’ Season
The Hill | Oct. 2, 2025

International Students in California Grapple With Fear of Deportation, Visa Applications
EdSource | Oct. 2, 2025

Research, Curriculum and Grading: New Data Sheds Light on How Professors Are Using AI
NPR | Oct. 2, 2025

October 1, 2025

Inside Higher Ed reports on how the government shutdown could impact higher education... A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration violated the First Amendment by using the threat of deportation in an effort to silence noncitizens... Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber writes in The Atlantic that students genuinely care about free speech and constructive discussion... An appeals court ruled that the Education Department could proceed for now with firing half of its Office for Civil Rights staff as litigation proceeds, Higher Ed Dive reports... Marlene Tromp, the new president of the University of Vermont, said higher education can help address a divisive moment and “make lasting and meaningful change,” Vermont Public Radio reports.

What the Government Shutdown Could Mean for Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 1, 2025

Judge Rules Trump Unlawfully Targeted Noncitizens Over Pro-Palestinian Speech
The New York Times (sub. req.) | Sept. 30, 2025

The Myth of the Campus Snowflake
The Atlantic (sub. req.) | Sept. 30, 2025

Education Department Can Cut Half of OCR Staff for Now, Appeals Court Rules
Higher Ed Dive | Sept. 30, 2025

New UVM President Says Higher Education Can Help Build ‘A New World From Ashes’
Vermont Public Radio | Sept. 30, 2025

September 30, 2025

Politico examines how a government shutdown would disrupt federal education programs, and Inside Higher Ed reports on how a shutdown could impact this week's negotiated rulemaking sessions... Former Republican Senator Roy Blunt argues in the Washington Examiner that the FAIR model would be the best path forward on federal research funding... The New York Times covers how the expanded H-1B visa fees are preventing students around the world from moving to the United States... Colorado universities enrolling the highest percentages of students of color will lose millions of dollars due to the Trump administration's Minority-Serving Institutions funding cuts, Chalkbeat Colorado reports.

Inside the Education Impacts of a Shutdown
Politico | Sept. 29, 2025

What Would a Shutdown Mean for Rule Making?
Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 29, 2025

FAIR Model is America’s Best Path Forward on Research Sunding
Washington Examiner | Sept. 27, 2025

Trump’s $100,000 Visa Upends Lives: ‘My Dreams Were Shattered’
The New York Times (sub. req.) | Sept. 29, 2025

Colorado Colleges Serving Students of Color Will Lose Millions From Trump Cuts
Chalkbeat Colorado | Sept. 26, 2025

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