HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

August 21, 2026

The Washington Post covers a report from the Common App that demonstrates a 6% increase in the number of students who used the platform to apply to colleges and universities. . .Inside Higher Ed highlights the decline in international applications to U.S. institutions according to the Common App report. . .The New York Times reports on how the Trump administration’s changes to federal student loan repayments are negatively impacting some borrowers. . .

College Applications Are Up, Despite Questions About Higher Education

The Washington Post (sub. req.) | August 20, 2026

International Applications Dropped 10% This Year
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | August 20, 2026

They Were Paying Their Student Loans. Then the Rules Changed.
The New York Times (sub. req.) | August 19, 2026

August 20, 2026

The Wall Street Journal covers trends in admissions and acceptance rates and explores how demographic changes could impact schools. . .Higher Ed Dive reports on the Education Department’s proposed rule to align the accreditation system with the Trump administration’s policy agenda. . .The Hill highlights that some universities are letting students make tuition payments using mobile payment apps. . .

America’s Colleges Are Hurtling Toward an Enrollment Cliff

The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | August 20, 2026

Education Department Proposes Accreditation Overhaul
Higher Ed Dive | August 19, 2026

Universities Opening Tuition Payments to PayPal, Venmo
The Hill | August 19, 2026

August 19, 2026

An opinion piece in The New York Times contends that Trump administration regulations are aimed at restricting student voting and related campus activities. . .Inside Higher Ed highlights the Education Department warning institutions that they must submit student outcomes data or risk access to federal loans and grants. . .The Associated Press reports on the Department of Defense order for certain universities to review their foreign academic partnerships. . .Higher Ed Dive covers a coalition of groups filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration's rule ending duration of status. . .

What Does the Trump Administration Have Against the 26th Amendment?

The New York Times (sub. req.) | August 19, 2026

42% of Colleges Haven’t Fully Submitted Required Student Outcomes Data
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | August 19, 2026

Pentagon Orders Audit of 30 Universities’ Partnerships with Foreign Institutions
The Associated Press | August 18, 2026

Coalition Sues Trump Administration Over 4-Year Student Visa Cap
Higher Ed Dive | August 18, 2026

August 18, 2026

The Associated Press covers a whistleblower disclosure that alleges some of the Trump administration’s investigations into higher ed institutions lacked evidence. . .The Wall Street Journal highlights steps that researchers are taking to fund their projects following numerous federal funding challenges. . .Inside Higher Ed reports on steps many states have taken to provide funding for historically Black land-grant universities. . .

Whistleblower Alleges Political Pressure, Lack of Evidence in Antisemitism Probes Targeting Schools

The Associated Press | August 18, 2026

Scientists Scramble for Private Cash in Response to Fresh Funding Turbulence

The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | August 18, 2026

States Narrow Funding Gaps for Historically Black Land-Grant Institutions
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | August 18, 2026

August 17, 2026

An opinion editorial by ACE president Ted Mitchell and NASFAA president and CEO Melanie Storey in Inside Higher Ed highlights the importance of financial aid administrators as students deal with many of the Trump administration’s loan changes. . .Inside Higher Ed covers the Education Department’s changes to which students are eligible for uncapped student loans. . .The Boston Globe reports that colleges are launching new AI programs to prepare students with advancing tech. . .

New School Year Brings Major Financial Uncertainty for Students

Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | August 17, 2026

ED Clarifies How Current Students Can Access Uncapped Loans

Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | August 17, 2026

Boston-area Colleges Are Looking to Make Students ‘AI Natives’ with New Majors
Boston Globe (sub. req.) | August 16, 2026