HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

February 12, 2026

The recently enacted education spending bill includes new restrictions on the Trump administration's ability to divert or withhold some higher education funding, Inside Higher Ed reports... The Hechinger Report analyzes the effects of the ban on race-conscious admissions... Two new reports detail the state of college endowments and the evolving higher education priorities of governors.

How Congress’s Budget Could Hamper Trump ED Agenda
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 12, 2026

After Affirmative Action: Four Takeaways — And Puzzles — From College Admissions Data
The Hechinger Report | Feb. 12, 2026

Down 9.2%: Colleges See Drop in New Gifts to Endowments
Higher Ed Dive | Feb. 12, 2026

Here Are 4 Education Priorities Fresh on the Mind of Governors in 2026
University Business | Feb. 11, 2026

February 11, 2026

Despite a court order blocking Trump administration cuts to TRIO, thousands of first-generation and low-income students are no longer receiving supports to help them access higher education, The 74 reports... Higher Ed Dive reports on improvements to the FAFSA... Nearly 3 million high school students are taking college courses through dual enrollment programs, according to a new report.

Despite Lawsuit, 44,000 Low-Income, 1st-Gen Students Lose College Access Help
The 74 | Feb. 11, 2026

‘We’re Now Seeing the Results’: Education Department Officials Tout FAFSA Progress
Higher Ed Dive | Feb. 11, 2026

Dual Enrollment Surges to 2.8 Million Students as Equity Gaps Persist
The EDU Ledger | Feb. 10, 2026

February 10, 2026

NIH lacks permanent directors in more than half of its institutes, raising concerns of instability, Inside Higher Ed reports... GBH reports on how colleges and universities are working to reengage students who stopped out... Northeastern University President Joseph Aoun writes in The Boston Globe that colleges and universities must update how and what they teach as AI continues to grow... Inside Higher Ed spotlights how William & Mary is reimagining how it supports veteran students and how Touro University is strengthening rural healthcare providers in California and New Mexico.

NIH Avoided Funding Cuts. But It Lacks Permanent Leaders in Top Posts.
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 10, 2026

Colleges Are Reconnecting with Students Who Left before Earning Their Degrees
GBH | Feb. 9, 2026

Students are AI natives. Why aren’t their colleges?
The Boston Globe (sub. req.) | Feb. 10, 2026

William & Mary Reimagines Veteran Support
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 10, 2026

How One University Trains and Retains Rural Care Providers
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 9, 2026

February 9, 2026

Congress and the courts over the past year have halted the Trump administration's efforts to cap reimbursements for indirect research costs, Inside Higher Ed reports... CNBC and The Hechinger Report each report on how federal funding cuts will have significant impacts on higher education access, especially for low-income students... The Washington Post highlights the growing number of colleges and universities that offer free tuition programs... Study abroad can have a significant positive impact on students' future careers, according to new reports.

Congress, Courts Stymie Trump’s Effort to Cap Research Costs
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 9, 2026

Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ May Spur Significant Changes to Higher Education in 2026 and the Rise of ‘Un-College,’ Experts Say
CNBC | Feb. 8, 2026

Funding Cuts, Shifts in Aid Could Make College Harder to Afford for Low-Income Families
The Hechinger Report | Feb. 9, 2026

More Colleges Are Offering Free Tuition. Explore Our Database.
The Washington Post (sub. req.)| Feb. 9, 2026

Study Abroad Advocates Highlight Economic Benefits
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 9, 2026

February 6, 2026

PBS covers the major changes coming to federal financial aid this July... The share of U.S. adults with a degree or credential has increased 16 percentage points since 2009, according to a new study... CalMatters looks at the expansion of credit-for-prior-learning practices being implemented at California's community colleges... Inside Higher Ed examines how Republican-led efforts targeting women’s and gender studies are putting these programs at risk... A formerly incarcerated man writes in the Star-Gazette how New York's prison education programs transformed his life.

Major Changes to Student Loan Borrowing and Repayment Are Coming. Here’s What to Know
PBS News Hour | Feb. 4, 2026

Report Tracks Not Just Degrees, But Payoff
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 6, 2026

California Wants Colleges to Count Work Experience for Credit. How’s It Going?
CalMatters | Feb. 5, 2026

Can Embattled Women’s and Gender Studies Programs Survive?
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 6, 2026

Opinion: New York Prisoners Must Have Access to College. This is Why.
Star-Gazette | Feb. 4, 2026