HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

September 9, 2026

The Chronicle of Higher Education covers how competency-based education may be a unique opportunity for colleges and universities to reach new students. . .Higher Ed Dive highlights recent data that shows higher ed institutions have improved their use of space on campuses since the pandemic. . .Inside Higher Ed reports that two new bills that have passed the California Assembly would make it possible for certain two-year institutions to offer bachelor’s degrees. . .

Can Higher Ed Finally Figure Out How to Serve Nontraditional Students?

The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | ​September 9, ​2026​​​

Colleges Improve on Utilization of Classroom, Office Space​​
Higher Ed Dive  | September 9, 2026​​​​​

Calif. Community College Bachelor’s Bills Pass Despite Objections​
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | September 9, 2026​​​​​​

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September 8, 2026

Inside Higher Ed covers new data which highlights a surge in students taking online courses since the pandemic. . .A letter to the editor in The Wall Street Journal by ACE president Ted Mitchell highlights the higher ed community’s concerns about the disclosure of individual foreign donor names. . .Politico reports on fears that the loan caps the Trump administration placed on federal student loans won’t lead to lower tuition and will instead force students to turn to private lenders. . .

Post-Pandemic, Online Ed Has ‘Staying Power’

Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | ​September 8, ​2026​​​

Letter to the Editor | The Debate Over Foreign Money in Higher Education​​
The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | September 7, 2026​​​​​

An Unconventional Solution to Trump’s Student Loan Caps
Politico | September 5, 2026​​​​​​

September 4, 2026

​The Washington Post reports on how federal student loan disbursements were delayed this summer following the rollout of the One Big Beautiful Bill’s loan changes. . .Inside Higher Ed highlights Rep. Mike Lawler’s efforts to expand the list of graduate programs considered professional that received higher student loan caps. . .The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post both cover the Trump administration’s new proposed rule at the IRS that could be used to strip schools of their tax-exempt status if they implement DEI policies. . .

College Loans Were Late Due to New Federal Rules. Students Are Paying the Price.

The Washington Post (sub. req.) | ​September 4, ​2026​​​

The House Republican Trying to Redefine Graduate Student Loan Caps​​
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | September 4, 2026​​​​​

IRS Proposes Rules to Strip Tax Exemptions From Colleges Using Race in Policies
The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | September 3, 2026​​​​​

Trump Administration Aims to Strip Schools’ Tax Exemption if They Consider Race​
The Washington Post (sub. req.) | September 3, 2026​​​​​

September 3, 2026

​​​Inside Higher Ed covers new data from the Common App that highlights more than 870,000 applicants reported they experienced at least one home-based challenge. . .The New York Times reports on a new rule released by the Trump administration that could allow the IRS to revoke certain institutions’ tax-exempt status. . .Inside Higher Ed announces a new initiative called “Start from Yes” that seeks to address how transfer credits and credit for prior learning are treated. . .The Chronicle of Higher Education dives into how oral exams are one way that professors are evaluating learning and combating potential cheating using AI. . .

More Than Half of College Applicants Reported Key Home-Based Challenges

Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | ​September 3, ​2026​​​

Trump Administration Renews Push to Strip Schools of Tax-Exempt Status​​
The New York Times (sub. req.) | September 3, 2026​​​​​

'Start From Yes' Initiative Challenges Transfer Credit Skepticism
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | September 3, 2026​​​​​

The Return of the Oral Exam​
The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | September 2, 2026​​​​​

September 2, 2026

Inside Higher Ed highlights how the Trump administration’s policies have impacted undocumented students and their ability to pay in-state tuition prices. . .Campus Technology reports that Jon O'Brien, president and CEO of EDUCAUSE for 11 years, will retire next summer. . .Bridge Michigan covers efforts by several Michigan institutions to begin offering select 3-year bachelor’s degree programs. . .

Undocumented Students Grapple With Loss of In-State Tuition​

Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | ​September 2, 2026​​​

Educause President and CEO John O'Brien Announces Retirement​​
Campus Technology | September 1, 2026​​​​​​

Michigan Colleges Debut 3-Year Degrees in Bid to Cut Costs, Attract Students
Bridge Michigan | September 1, 2026​​​​​

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