HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

February 23, 2026

ACE President Ted Mitchell joined The Chronicle of Higher Education's College Matters podcast to discuss how higher education is responding to federal policy challenges... The New York Times examines the lasting human costs of the Trump administration's attacks on science, and STAT reports how universities have been forced to look for alternative ways to fund research following federal cuts... The Associated Press spotlights the millions of adult learners pursuing college degrees and certificates... A coalition of health care associations, colleges and universities, and advocacy groups is urging the Education Department to expand graduate students’ access to higher loan limits, Inside Higher Ed reports... Saraí Bejarano writes in the San Antonio Report that attending a Hispanic-Serving Institution transformed her life and argues these institutions must be protected to support millions more students.

Can Ted Mitchell Marshal Higher Ed Against Trump?
The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | Feb. 18, 2026

The Human Cost of Trump’s War on Science
The New York Times (sub. req.) | Feb. 23, 2026

With Federal Research Funding Uncertain, States Debate New Science Initiatives
STAT | Feb. 20, 2026

Why Adults Pursuing Career Growth or Personal Interests Are the ‘New Majority’ Student
Associated Press | Feb. 22, 2026

Health Care Groups Form Coalition to Fight Loan Caps
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 23, 2026

Hispanic Serving Institutions Changed My Life. Now I’m Part of the Fight to Protect Them.
San Antonio Report | Feb. 22, 2026

February 20, 2026

The Trump administration agreed to drop an appeal against a federal court’s preliminary injunction that blocked its mass grant cancellations and efforts to extract monetary penalties and policy changes from the University of California, Higher Ed Dive reported. . .Inside Higher Ed looks at how the University of Denver’s Compassion Lab helps students navigate disagreement and prepare for workplace success. . .Wisconsin Public Radio explores how campus child care facilities can help parents access and succeed in higher education. . .

Trump Administration Drops Appeal Over Its $1.2B Demand from UC System
Higher Ed Dive | Feb. 20, 2026

How One College Teaches Students Compassion
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 20, 2026

Wisconsin’s Campus Child Care Facilities Offer Parents Foothold in Higher Education
Wisconsin Public Radio | Feb. 20, 2026

February 19, 2026

The Department of Education issued guidance for higher education institutions, reminding them to institute practices to keep their students’ delinquency and default rates low, CNBC reported. . .Inside Higher Ed looks at the decision by the Education Department to eliminate any race-based eligibility criteria for the McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement award, a $60 million grant program designed to increase access to doctorate-level degrees. . .WBUR's Here & Now explores how institutions can help students navigate mental health challenges. . .

Trump Administration Issues Warning to Hundreds of Colleges with Low Student Loan Repayment Rate
CNBC | Feb. 19, 2026

Trump Administration Agrees to End Race-Based Criteria for McNair Grant
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 19, 2026

College Can be a Big Life Change. How Can Students Navigate Mental Health Challenges?
WBUR | Feb. 19, 2026

February 18, 2026

New federal student loan caps on health care programs could disproportionately impact underserved communities, The 19th reports... The Department of Defense is considering blocking service members from using tuition assistance at dozens of institutions, CNN reports... The Department of Labor announced that it will allocate $65 million to help community colleges develop short-term training programs that qualify for Workforce Pell... Mississippi Today spotlights a Hinds Community College program expanding access to nontraditional students.

New Student Loan Limits Could Threaten Diversity in Nursing and Public Health Programs
The 19th | Feb. 17, 2026

Pentagon May Bar Tuition Aid for Top Universities in Hegseth’s Crackdown on ‘Biased’ Schools
CNN | Feb. 13, 2026

Labor Dept. Dedicates $65M to Community Colleges Preparing for Workforce Pell
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 18, 2026

‘It’s Just Convenient for Me’: New Hinds Community College Program Topples Barriers to Higher Education
Mississippi Today | Feb. 17, 2026

February 17, 2026

Funding for the Pell Grant could fall billions short without congressional action, potentially triggering significant cuts for students, Inside Higher Ed reports... Higher Ed Dive examines how colleges and universities are responding to Trump administration policies affecting international student enrollment... CNBC looks at how changes to Parent PLUS loans included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will soon impact borrowers... Forbes examines the growing momentum behind accelerated degree programs... Writing in The Hechinger Report, JP Flores, a Ph.D. candidate in biology, calls for greater investment to broaden undergraduate research opportunities for students at more institutions.

Pell Grant Facing $11.5B Shortfall, CBO Says
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 13, 2026

International Enrollment Is under Pressure. How Can Colleges Respond?
Higher Ed Dive | Feb. 17, 2026

Parents with Student Loans Have a Short Window to Secure Affordable Repayment and Forgiveness
CNBC | Feb. 16, 2026

Three Reasons Why Momentum For 3-Year College Degrees Is Growing
Forbes | Feb. 13, 2026

Opinion: Pathways for Future Scientists Are Becoming Scarce, Threatening a Strong and Innovative Workforce
The Hechinger Report | Feb. 16, 2026