HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

November 18, 2025

The presidents of Dartmouth, Wesleyan, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison share with The New York Times their perspectives on the Trump administration's upheaval to higher education... Tribal Colleges and Universities are feeling uneasiness as they navigate the impacts of massive shifts in federal spending, the Associated Press reports... Inside Higher Ed explains how borrowers will be impacted by the significant student loan overhaul enacted as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act... Democratic lawmakers are trying to prevent the Trump administration from selling the government’s student loan portfolio to the private market, The Hill reports...  An op-ed in EdSource showcases how colleges in Los Angeles are leading are efforts to combat California’s nursing shortage.

‘We Need to Be Worried’: Three University Leaders on the Fate of Higher Education in the Trump Era
The New York Times (sub. req.) | Nov. 18, 2025

Tribal College Leaders Are Uneasy About Us Financial Commitments Despite a Funding Increase
Associated Press | Nov. 17, 2025

November 17, 2025

The number of international college students enrolling in U.S. institutions decreased by 17 percent this fall, according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors Report... A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s $1.2-billion fine against UCLA, the Los Angeles Times reports... NPR spoke with community college presidents about how the Trump administration's higher education policies are affecting their institutions... The Trump administration’s seismic policy shifts are creating challenges for religiously affiliated colleges, Inside Higher Ed reports... Byron Brooks, chair of the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents, writes in the Las Vegas Review-Journal that Nevada colleges provide strong return on investment for students.

New International Student Enrollments Plummeted This Fall, Survey Finds
The New York Times (sub. req.) | Nov. 17, 2025

Judge Blocks Trump Administration Push to Fine UCLA $1.2 Billion for Alleged Antisemitism
Los Angeles Times (sub. req.) | Nov. 14, 2025

Three Community College Presidents Discuss the Trump Administration’s Impact on Them
NPR | Nov. 16, 2025

Faith-Based Institutions Navigate Trump’s Higher Ed Policy Changes
Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 17, 2025

Commentary: Nevada System of Higher Ed Delivers Bang for the Buck
Las Vegas Review-Journal | Nov. 16, 2025

November 14, 2025

New data from the Common App show that applications from underrepresented students increased this year, while applications from international students declined... NPR examines the state of the Education Department’s special education and civil rights offices after multiple staff reductions... Johns Hopkins University will cover tuition for undergraduate students from families making under $200,000... Colleges and universities in Minnesota, New Mexico, and Colorado are facing a variety of disruptions and challenges due to federal funding cuts.

Underrepresented Applicants Grow, International Ones Drop
Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 14, 2025

Federal Special Education Staff May Get Their Jobs Back. But for How Long?
NPR | Nov. 13, 2025

Johns Hopkins University To Offer Free Tuition to Families Making Under $200,000
The Baltimore Banner | Nov. 14, 2025

Higher Education Leaders Testify on Impact of Trump Administration Grant Terminations
Kare 11| Nov. 13, 2025

November 13, 2025

With the government now reopened, Inside Higher Ed looks at what's ahead for the Department of Education... Financial aid provisions enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill may force students into costlier private loans or out of advanced degrees entirely, writes Inside Higher Ed Editor-in-Chief Sara Custer... Stateline reports on the recent evolution of college accreditation... Federal funding cuts and declining state support are creating financial pressures for public colleges and universities, The EDU Ledger reports... The Trump administration announced only four-year institutions would be subject to its significantly stepped-up admissions data reporting requirements, Higher Ed Dive reports.

With Government Reopened, Will Education Department Staff Return?
Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 13, 2025

Will New Graduate Loan Limits Reduce Debt or Just Reduce Access?
Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 13, 2025

Public Colleges Face Financial Crisis as Federal Cuts, State Budget Pressures Mount
The EDU Ledger | Nov. 13, 2025

Accreditation of Colleges, Once Low Key, Has Gotten Political
Stateline | Nov .13, 2025

Education Department Zeroes in on 4-Year Colleges for Expanded IPEDS Collection
Higher Ed Dive | Nov. 13, 2025

November 12, 2025

Undergraduate enrollment is on track to grow 2.4 percent year over year this fall, according to preliminary data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center... The Department of Education announced it would redirect funding for college student success programs to other programs aligned with President Trump's priorities, Inside Higher Ed reports... The Los Angeles Times covers the expansion of direct admissions policies... NPR's Code Switch podcast spotlights Tribal Colleges and Universities and the impacts they have on their students, faculty and staff... Inside Higher Ed highlights colleges and universities that expanded basic needs supports to assist students impact by the SNAP freeze.

Undergraduate Enrollment on Track To Increase for Third Straight Year
Higher Ed Dive | Nov. 11, 2025

ED’s ‘Special Projects’ Grants Spark Concern Over Congressional Intent
Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 12, 2025

You Got Accepted and Didn’t Even Apply? Why College ‘Direct Admission’ Is Growing Nationally
Los Angeles Times | Nov. 11, 2025

Tribal Colleges Are a Unique Resource — And They’re Under Threat
NPR | Nov. 12, 2025

Colleges Expand Basic Needs Support Following SNAP Freeze
Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 12, 2025

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