HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

March 26, 2026

Inside Higher Ed explores how federal funding cuts are impacting area studies centers. . .The Chronicle of Higher Education looks at how the Cal State system and San Jose State University are pushing back against the Trump administration. . .The California state Senate is working on a bill seeking to modernize the state’s student financial aid system by indexing “access awards” to inflation—ensuring that the money college students receive for non-tuition expenses doesn't lose its punch as the economy shifts. . .

Area Studies, Once Vital, Wither Without Funding
Inside Higher Ed | March 26, 2026

The Trump Feud You Haven’t Heard About
The Chronicle of Higher Education | March 25, 2026

California Lawmakers Move to Modernize Cal Grant Aid

Imperial Valley Press | March 26, 2026

March 25, 2026

Inside Higher Ed looks at an Association of American Medical Colleges analysis finding that near the halfway point of the federal fiscal year the National Institutes of Health has only obligated around 15 percent of the estimated $38 billion it has to distribute in grants and contracts to universities and other research institutions. . .A federal judge has again moved the deadline, but only for some institutions, for the Department of Education's race and sex admissions data requirement, reports Higher Ed Dive. . .The Wall Street Journal explores the broken U.S. college dreams of African students whose student visas were canceled by the Trump administration. . .

Halfway Through the Fiscal Year, NIH Has Only Obligated 15% of Research Funding
Inside Higher Ed | March 25, 2026

Federal Judge Again Bumps Deadline for New Race and Sex Admissions Data
Higher Ed Dive | March 24, 2026

He Had a Full Ride at Duke—Until America Cut Him Off

The Wall Street Journal | March 24, 2026

March 24, 2026

Inside Higher Ed looks at how the Trump administration is using interagency agreements to siphon off various Education Department programs to other agencies...Separate stories by The Chronicle of Higher Education and Wisconsin Public Radio look at how higher education institutions and academics are handling AI in the classroom and educating the public about the technology...

Breaking Down ED’s Interagency Agreements
Inside Higher Ed | March 24, 2026

AI Broke College Assessment. One University Believes It’s Got a Fix.
The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | March 23, 2026

AI is Growing. Universities of Wisconsin Wants to Help You Understand It.

Wisconsin Public Radio | March 24, 2026

March 23, 2026

Politico reports that the Trump administration's moves to tighten voting rules could dampen student participation in the midterm elections...Inside Higher Ed looks at how apprenticeships are diversifying, as are apprentices themselves, and how colleges are serving a growing role in this shifting landscape...A new University of Pittsburgh internship will train students to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Trump’s Voter Crackdown Reaches College Campuses
Politico | March 22, 2026

The Apprenticeship (R)Evolution
Inside Higher Ed | March 23, 2026

New Pitt Internship will Train Students to Assist Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (sub. req.) | March 23, 2026

March 20, 2026

Higher education organizations are calling on Congress to protect the Pell Grant program as it faces a looming funding shortfall, Higher Ed Dive reports . . . Higher education leaders, professors, and advocates are imploring the Education Department to reverse a new policy limiting graduate students' access to federal financial aid, The Chronicle of Higher Education reports . . . The Treasury Department will assume responsibility for collecting on defaulted student loans, The Washington Post reports . . . Academic freedom in the United States has rapidly declined, according to a global index . . . The University of Notre Dame will cover full tuition costs for students from families with annual incomes below $150,000, joining a growing list of institutions expanding their financial aid programs . . . Jennifer Walsh will be William Peace University's next president.

Higher Ed Organizations Press Congress to Quickly Fill Pell Funding Gaps
Higher Ed Dive | March 19, 2026

Hundreds of Colleges and Professors Implore Ed. Dept. to Reverse ‘Dangerous’ Changes for Grad Students
The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | March 19, 2026

Trump Administration Moves Key Student Loan Oversight to Treasury
The Washington Post (sub. req.) | March 19, 2026

‘Unusually Steep’ Decline in U.S. University Autonomy, Index Shows
Inside Higher Ed | March 20, 2026

University of Notre Dame to Waive Tuition for Students with Families Who Earn Under $150,000 Per Year
CBS Chicago | March 19, 2026

William Peace University Announces 13th President
WRAL | March 19, 2026