U.S. Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the list of graduate programs classified as 'professional' to 29 fields after a court halted its narrower definition, allowing higher loan limits for programs like nursing. The agency defends its original definition as 'lawful' while urging institutions to prepare for potential changes during ongoing litigation, creating uncertainty for students and schools.

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the definition of 'professional' graduate degrees to 29 fields, including nursing and occupational therapy, following a court order halting its previous narrower definition. The agency maintains its original definition is lawful while legal challenges continue, causing uncertainty for schools and students.

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the list of graduate programs classified as 'professional' to 29 fields after a court halted its previous definition, allowing higher loan limits for students in these programs. However, the department maintains its original definition is 'lawful' and warns institutions to prepare for potential changes during ongoing litigation.

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the list of graduate programs classified as 'professional' to 29 fields after a court order halted its new definition, which had excluded programs like nursing. The agency maintains its original definition is 'lawful' but schools face uncertainty over loan limits amid ongoing litigation.

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the list of graduate programs classified as 'professional' degrees to 29 fields after a court order halted its previous definition, which excluded nursing and similar programs. The department maintains its original definition is 'lawful' but acknowledges the temporary classifications may change as the legal challenge proceeds, causing uncertainty for students and institutions.

A court order temporarily halted the U.S. Department of Education’s new 'professional degree' definition, expanding eligibility for higher loan limits to 29 fields including nursing, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. The department maintains its original definition is 'lawful' but acknowledges the temporary classifications may change as the legal challenge continues.

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the list of graduate programs classified as 'professional' degrees to 29 fields following a court order, reversing a prior definition that excluded programs like nursing. The department maintains its original definition is lawful but acknowledges the temporary classifications may change as litigation continues, creating uncertainty for students and institutions.

The U.S. Department of Education introduced a new federal rule requiring colleges to demonstrate that graduates earn more than non-graduates to retain financial aid eligibility. Critics, including arts education advocates, warn this 'do no harm' test may lead to cuts in low-earning creative arts programs, potentially harming cultural and societal development.

A new lawsuit claims the U.S. Department of Education is not discharging certain federal student loans as previously promised to 1.5 million borrowers. The lawsuit seeks verification that the loan relief was actually provided.

A new lawsuit claims the U.S. Department of Education is not discharging certain federal student loans as previously promised to 1.5 million borrowers. The case seeks proof that the loan relief was actually provided.

A new lawsuit alleges the U.S. Department of Education may not be discharging certain federal student loans as previously promised. The lawsuit involves 1.5 million borrowers who were promised student loan relief.

The U.S. Department of Education has reduced federal monitoring of state special education systems, visiting fewer than half of scheduled states for 2025-2026 reviews. The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) warns this could leave states unreviewed for 25 years, risking gaps in compliance oversight. The Trump administration plans to transfer special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services, a move opposed by COPAA and facing potential congressional scrutiny.

The U.S. Department of Education is considering changes to regulations governing college mergers and civil rights enforcement. Proposed agenda items include addressing culture war issues such as defining sex and reducing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Former leaders of the Office of Special Education Programs in the Trump and George W. Bush administrations oppose moving special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services, arguing it would create a fragmented system and not improve services for children with disabilities. They warn that dismantling the Education Department risks confusing guidance and inconsistent support for families and educators.

A federal appeals court dismissed Florida's lawsuit challenging the college accreditation process, rejecting the state's claim that private accreditors hold unconstitutional power over university operations. The case, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, argued that accreditation agencies override state policies on diversity and university governance, but the court affirmed prior rulings that accreditors do not exercise governmental authority.

The 11th Circuit unanimously ruled that the federal government's use of private accreditation agencies to determine eligibility for financial aid at public colleges is constitutional, rejecting Florida's challenge to the Higher Education Act. Florida argued the system violated constitutional clauses, but the court found the accreditation requirement reasonable and consistent with Congress's goal of ensuring federal aid goes to quality institutions.

Pell Grants will now cover short-term vocational training like welding starting July 1, but the policy faces 85 pages of regulatory hurdles. The bipartisan initiative aims to address skilled labor shortages but requires strict completion, placement, and earnings benchmarks, complicating program qualification.

Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights is being preserved digitally after closing in May due to over $26 million in debt. States like Illinois and the federal government are implementing measures such as tuition recovery funds and merger streamlining to address the growing number of at-risk colleges, while lawsuits have been filed against institutions like the University of the Arts, which closed in 2024.

Student-loan borrowers in the SAVE repayment plan began receiving notices on July 1 to switch to new repayment plans within 90 days. Servicers like EdFinancial and Nelnet are notifying borrowers in waves, with some having until May 2027 to transition. The SAVE plan was eliminated via a court settlement, and borrowers are being directed to the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) or standard repayment options.

A user reported a scam involving the U.S. Department of Education, where a caller impersonating a DOE representative obtained personal information. The scammer used a phone number similar to the official one listed on the www.studentaid.gov website. The user discovered the fraud after identifying the scammer's company as unaccredited and unaffiliated with the DOE.

Two federal judges ruled against changes to the U.S. Department of Education’s public service student loan forgiveness program, stating the modifications exceeded the department’s authority and violated the First Amendment. The changes, based on an executive order targeting groups supporting undocumented immigrants, diversity initiatives, or gender-affirming care, were challenged by 20+ states, cities, and nonprofits. The original 2007 program aimed to incentivize public service work by forgiving loans after 10 years.

A report reveals the Trump Administration significantly reduced the U.S. Department of Education's staff by 40% and terminated $2 billion in contracts and grants. The Office of English Language Acquisition, which supports immigrant students, was nearly eliminated, raising concerns about the department's ability to fulfill its obligations.

President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces new federal student loan repayment plans and stricter borrowing limits, affecting lower-income borrowers, graduate students, and parents. The changes include a tiered standard repayment plan and a Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), with existing repayment options set to be phased out by 2028.

The Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funding from Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over policies that restrict staff from informing parents about a student's transgender status, citing violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The Education Department and Justice Department announced enforcement actions, including potential judicial proceedings, against the district for obstructing parental access to education records.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration's rule that would have disqualified public service workers from student loan forgiveness if their employers were deemed to have a 'substantial illegal purpose.' The judge ruled in favor of Democratic-led states, cities, and non-profits who argued the rule targeted groups supporting immigration rights and transgender healthcare.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration's rule to narrow eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, ruling it unlawful as it imposed political preferences not enacted by Congress. The decision preserves access to the program for public service employers ahead of the rule's scheduled July 1 effective date.

A federal judge's ruling led the U.S. Education Department to temporarily revise student loan rules, allowing higher loan amounts for nursing and similar graduate programs while excluding theology. The department disputes the ruling but complies temporarily as litigation continues.

President Donald Trump's student-loan repayment overhaul takes effect July 1, with 7 million SAVE borrowers given 90 days to switch to a new plan. The changes include new repayment plans and borrowing caps, though ongoing litigation could block some adjustments, such as a narrower definition of professional degrees.

A U.S. Department of Education internal report reveals that the Trump Administration cut 40% of its staff and $2 billion in contracts and grants by March 31, 2025, severely impacting offices like the Office of English Language Acquisition, which was reduced to one employee. The report highlights concerns that the department may no longer effectively support students or enforce federal education laws, though its findings remain incomplete due to staff non-cooperation.

Wellesley College, an all-women's college, faces a Title IX complaint alleging it admits biological male transgender students, violating its status as a women's institution. The complaint, filed by Defending Education, claims the college's 2015 policy allows applicants who identify as women, including trans individuals, and argues this undermines Title IX compliance.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education's new rule narrowing the definition of 'professional degree' to 11 fields, which would have imposed stricter federal loan caps on graduate students in excluded fields like nursing and teaching. The judge ruled the department likely exceeded its authority, but did not block the loan caps themselves, which are statutory. The decision followed lawsuits from groups representing nursing, education, public health, and physician assistant programs.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education's new definition of 'professional' degrees, which would have imposed stricter federal student loan caps on fields like nursing. The ruling, by Judge Beryl Howell, found the definition likely narrower than Congress intended, halting the provision before its scheduled implementation. The decision impacts the Trump administration's overhaul of federal student loan policies.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education's new definition of 'professional' degrees, which would have imposed lower loan caps on fields like nursing, teaching, and social work. The ruling halts the rule before its scheduled July 1 implementation, citing potential conflict with congressional intent, but allows other loan cap provisions to remain in effect.

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., temporarily blocked the Education Department from enforcing new loan borrowing limits for graduate and professional students, ruling the restrictions violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The limits were set to take effect in one week but were halted pending further review.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education's new definition of 'professional' degrees, which would have imposed lower student loan caps on fields like nursing, teaching, and social work. The ruling halts a key part of the Trump administration's student loan overhaul, citing the rule as likely contrary to congressional intent.

A federal judge blocked the U.S. Department of Education's new definition of 'professional' degrees, which would have imposed lower loan caps on graduate programs like nursing. The ruling halts the rule before its July 1 implementation, calling it overreaching and inconsistent with Congressional intent, but allows other loan caps to proceed.

The U.S. Department of Education announced a 1% interest rate reduction for student loan borrowers enrolled in auto pay from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2028. New repayment plans, including the income-driven Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) and Tiered Standard Repayment Plan, will launch next month, with RAP offering a match on on-time payments and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) after 120 payments.

Experts warn that separating oversight of special education and civil rights into different federal agencies will complicate compliance and harm students with disabilities. A 2022 federal warning about 'informal removals' of disabled students from classrooms is now at risk of being diluted under the proposed reorganization.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating three Maryland school districts and the state's education agency over policies allowing transgender students to participate in girls' athletics and use girls-only facilities. The probe, initiated under Title IX, follows complaints alleging sex-based discrimination, with the involved districts and state officials stating they will cooperate while denying fault.

The Education Department announced a 1% reduction in federal student loan interest rates for borrowers with Direct Loans issued after July 1, 2012, who are enrolled in or sign up for automatic payments. The rate cut excludes nearly 9 million borrowers in default, who must first regain good standing to qualify. The change is temporary, lasting through June 30, 2028.