HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

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

February 13, 2026

United Press International looks at how federal policy is making it much more challenging for undocumented students to access higher education... The National Science Foundation is returning applications for its Graduate Research Fellowship Program without review, Inside Higher Ed reports... The leaders at five colleges and universities in Milwaukee are teaming up on AI, Wisconsin Public Radio reports.

Immigration Policies Closing Doors for Undocumented Students
United Press International | Feb. 11, 2026

NSF Returning Fellowship Applications With Little Explanation
Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 13, 2026

Milwaukee’s 5 Higher Education Leaders Team up on AI
Wisconsin Public Radio | Feb. 12, 2026

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