HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

October 19, 2026

Inside Higher Ed explores how work colleges can address students’ concerns about affordability and return on investment. . .The Associated Press highlights the stories of researchers leaving the U.S. due to federal funding cuts. . .CBS Colorado reports that all of Colorado’s public colleges and universities will waive application fees for residents applying to undergraduate programs. . .

What Can Work Colleges Teach Higher Ed?
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | October 19, 2026

Meet the Researchers Leaving the US Because of Trump’s Funding Cuts and Politicization of Science
The Associated Press | October 19, 2026

Colorado Students Encouraged to Take Advantage of Free College Application Days
CBS Colorado | October 18, 2026

October 16, 2026

​The Washington Sun reports that the Trump administration is planning to overhaul the student loans office. . .Inside Higher Ed highlights a letter from Congressional Democrats condemning the Education Department’s reallocation of funding for minority-serving institutions to other grant programs. . .Higher Ed Dive reports that a judge has declined to block an executive order that threatened to take away contracts from institutions over DEI efforts. . .

The Education Department Is Preparing to Offload Its Student Loan Office
The Washington Sun | October 15, 2026

Congressional Democrats Condemn MSI Funding Transfer
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | October 15, 2026

Judge Declines to Block Trump’s March Anti-DEI Order for Federal Contractors
Higher Ed Dive | October 15, 2026

October 15, 2026

​The Washington Post shares insights into how students can manage their federal loans. . .Inside Higher Ed reports that 2.5% of students in the U.S. are enrolled in programs that may fail under the Education Department’s new accountability rule. . .Higher Ed Dive covers new data from the ACT on the percentage of students who retook the test. . .

How to Manage Student Loans Before, During and After College
The Washington Post (sub. req.) | October 15, 2026

New Earnings Test Will Have Limited but Concentrated Impact
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | October 15, 2026

1 in 3 ACT Test-Takers Retook the Exam — and Raised Their Scores​
Higher Ed Dive | October 14, 2026

October 14, 2026

​Inside Higher Ed reports that five independent higher ed institutions are joining a new accreditor as founding members. . .NPR highlights new degree programs that institutions are creating to attract students and prepare them for future careers. . .Higher Ed Dive explores application essay strategies that colleges can implement that account for AI use. . .

5 Colleges Sign On as Founding Members of New Accreditor
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | October 14, 2026

How Colleges Are Creating Programs for a Changing U.S. Job Market
NPR | October 13, 2026

3 Admissions Experts on Why They Require — or Nixed — Supplemental Essays
Higher Ed Dive | October 13, 2026

October 13, 2026

​Inside Higher Ed reports on how the proposed changes to the 2030 census may impact tribal colleges and Native American-serving nontribal institutions. . .Higher Ed Dive covers a new report on the share of students who are influenced by a state’s politics when selecting an institution. . .Inside Higher Ed highlights efforts by public institutions in Texas to expand eligibility for guaranteed tuition. . .

How Proposed Changes to the Census Could Affect Native American Students
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | October 13, 2026

More Students Are Ruling Out Colleges Based on Politics, Poll Finds
Higher Ed Dive | October 13, 2026

The Expanding Reach of Free Tuition
Inside Higher Ed (sub. req.) | October 12, 2026

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