HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

July 10, 2026

Inside Higher Ed covers the Education Department’s recommendations to institutions that they begin implementing ED’s loan cap limits when disbursing federal aid despite ongoing litigation over the “professional” degree list. . .NPR covers a push from several states to create a new college accreditor called the Commission for Public Higher Education. . .USA Today reports on a series of new bills from House Republicans that would shift the Education Department’s responsibilities to other agencies, codifying many current interagency agreements. . .

ED Encouraged Institutions to Limit Graduate Loans. They Don’t Want To.

Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | July 10, 2026

Some Republican States Push for New College Accreditation Agency
NPR | July 10, 2026

GOP Unveils Long-shot Bills to Further Dismantle Education Department

USA Today | July 9, 2026

July 9, 2026

The Hill covers a new bipartisan bill called the Credit for Prior Learning Act, which would let students use a set amount of federal financial aid to pay for test fees. . .Inside Higher Ed shares responses from professional and education associations regarding the administration’s updated list of “professional” degrees. . . PIE News reports that a majority of U.S. colleges and universities have seen a decline in applications from international students. . .

Bipartisan Senate Duo Wants to Help Students Get Federal Aid for Learning Outside College

The Hill | July 9, 2026

College Associations Say Expanded List of Professional Degrees Is ‘Incomplete’

Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | July 9, 2026

60% of US Colleges Report Fall in International Applications

PIE News | July 8, 2026

July 8, 2026

Higher Ed Dive reports on a new regulatory agenda the Department of Education released that highlights the administration’s policy agenda. . .CNBC covers a federal appeals court’s ruling that the Stop WOKE Act violates the First Amendment. . .The Washington Post shares data from the National Scholarship Providers Association that saw a decrease in the percentage of scholarships with eligibility requirements for underrepresented groups. . .

Another Wave of Education Department Regulations Is Coming

Higher Ed Dive | July 8, 2026

DeSantis-backed ‘Stop WOKE’ Law Meets Appeals Court Block, Teeing Up Possible Supreme Court Fight

CNBC | July 7, 2026

Diversity Scholarships Decline After Legal Complaints, Trump’s Crackdown

The Washington Post (sub. req.) | July 7, 2026

July 7, 2026

Inside Higher Ed covers the higher ed community's response to the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed updates to the federal grantmaking process. . .Higher Ed Dive shares updates on leadership changes at institutions across the country. . .The New York Times reports that universities are admitting fewer students to doctoral programs largely due to concerns about federal funding cuts. . .

Comments Flood OMB Proposal to Cement Political Control of Grants

Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | July 7, 2026

Spelman College, Notre Dame of Maryland Get New Presidents

Higher Ed Dive | July 7, 2026

Decline of Ph.D. Admissions Could Imperil a ‘Generation of New Talent’

The New York Times (sub. req.) | July 6, 2026

July 6, 2026

Inside Higher Ed shares how religious institutions may be impacted by the Education Department’s new accountability measure. . .The Los Angeles Times reports on how graduate loan limits are impacting students and universities thinking about the upcoming academic year. . .The Wall Street Journal highlights that students are pursuing alternatives to traditional internships to get ahead in the tech industry. . .Higher Ed Dive covers a lawsuit against the Education Department and the Office of Management and Budget over withheld funds for education research, data collection, and program support. . .The Wall Street Journal reports on the expansion of Pell Grants to workforce training and the programs that are currently eligible. . .

In Final Earnings Test, Some Religious Colleges Get Reprieve, but Concerns Remain

Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | July 6, 2026

New Federal Caps on Graduate School Loans Send Students and Colleges Scrambling

The Los Angeles Times (sub. req.) | July 6, 2026

Forget Wall Street. Elite Students Are Spending Their Summers on Startup Dreams.

The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | July 5, 2026

Education Groups Sue for Access to Nearly $2B in Research Funds

Higher Ed Dive | July 2, 2026

The Toolbelt Generation Can Now Get Federal Aid for Trade School.

The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | July 2, 2026