National News
Important student loan forgiveness deadline is looming: What to know
UB Staff -
SAVE plan borrowers eligible for forgiveness must switch to another income-driven repayment plan by the end of December to avoid tax liability.
More young people are questioning the value of college, some universities are rethinking liberal arts programs
NPR -
Some universities, including Brandeis University, are responding by reshaping humanities programs to emphasize real-world skills, career advising and hands-on work experience.
As the holidays near, colleges work to ensure students have enough to eat
NPR -
As the holidays near, colleges work to ensure students have enough to eat
More Texas students complete journey through college, but low-income students still left behind
Students who are economically disadvantaged are far less likely to receive a degree or certificate. In Texas, nearly 60% of public education students are economically disadvantaged.
9 top college majors for veterans
UB Staff -
For veterans, the smartest majors pair existing skills with strong job prospects—supporting both financial stability and a meaningful civilian career.
Side hustles and skills: How today’s college students are redefining success beyond the classroom
A new Quizlet survey of 2,000 U.S. Gen Z adults found that the generation defies common stereotypes, demonstrating ambition, strategic career planning and a strong focus on skill-building and professional development.
What college affordability debates get wrong on the returns to college
The return to college has not declined, and the cost of college has not risen for years. It’s tough to fix problems that don’t exist.
This pricey Pa. liberal arts college has just taken a big step toward affordability
Dickinson College jwill be tuition-free for all students coming from households with annual income under $125,000.
Dept. of Education affirms Grand Canyon University’s nonprofit status after years-long battle
GCU said the designation will allow them to provide more private scholarships; partner more with school districts, hospitals and donors; receive government relief funds and grants; and participate in NCAA athletics.
Recent college graduates face a world with fewer jobs—and loan payments are due soon
KCUR -
Would-be entry-level workers described using elaborate spreadsheets to track dozens of job applications, lost opportunities from federal cuts and hiring processes that made them question their self-worth.
Lawmakers urge Education Department to add nursing to ‘professional’ programs list amid uproar
AP News -
Lawmakers are pressing the Education Department to include nursing in programs eligible for higher federal loan caps. They warn the current proposal would make advanced nursing degrees harder to afford.
3 strategies to help colleges work together and attract more students
Experts say new collaborations, adult-learner strategies and state financial incentives could help institutions share resources and better meet student needs.
University presidents reflect on academic freedom amid Trump’s push to reshape higher education
ABC News -
According to Neeli Bendapudi, the president of Penn State University, it is "important" that the federal government "continue that tradition of investing in our higher education system because it's a huge competitive advantage."
Tacos and tuition: A look at new college benefits for the low-wage workforce
Companies like Chipotle and McDonald’s offer tuition benefits through a federal program providing $5,250 in tax-free education assistance. New changes will adjust the cap for inflation and make tax-free loan repayment permanent.
Preparing community colleges for what comes next
2026 will favor community colleges that reinvent themselves to ensure institutional resilience, market relevance and programmatic alignment with workforce and community needs.
Without affirmative action, elite colleges are prioritizing economic diversity in admissions
ABC News -
Elite colleges are enrolling record numbers of low-income students by widening recruitment and boosting aid. The shift is drawing scrutiny from the Trump administration, which questions whether targeting needier students is legal.
Why northern students are flocking to Southern colleges
UB Staff -
TikTok, lower tuition, and a search for new campus culture are fueling a surge of students from the North heading south.
Catholic liberal arts colleges face the AI test
Catholic liberal arts colleges are adjusting to an AI-driven job market while defending the value of their human-centered education. Educators say skills like judgment and ethical reasoning remain essential as schools integrate AI.
Unaccredited law schools: pros and cons
UB Staff -
Even if graduates of unaccredited law schools save money upfront, their career prospects often suffer. They have significantly lower bar-passage and employment rates than peers from accredited programs.
Amid uncertainty, some colleges brace for more cuts
WGBH -
Colleges are preparing for more budget cuts and layoffs amid financial strain and federal policy uncertainty. Declining enrollment—especially among international students—is intensifying the pressure.
As colleges clamp down on the teaching of gender, advocates say professors taking the hit
Universities in conservative states are restricting teaching on gender and race, sparking concerns over academic freedom. Critics say policies like Texas Tech’s echo Florida’s blocked Stop WOKE Act, chilling faculty speech.
What do elite universities owe their students?
UB Staff -
As the Ivies push graduates into careers in consulting, finance and tech, organizers with the Class Action movement are questioning their schools’ corporate partnerships.
Is college worth it? ‘Nope,’ say a majority of Americans, poll finds
Nearly two-thirds of registered voters say a four-year college degree isn’t worth the cost, according to an NBC News report. Yet in Utah, residents are earning higher-education credentials in record numbers.
Alabama one of only 3 states that stops these undocumented students from going to college
UB Staff -
Alabama is one of only three states that bars undocumented students from public colleges, shutting many out of higher education. Advocates warn the state’s immigration restrictions are deepening fear and narrowing opportunities for thousands of teens.
As accommodations rise, exams get harder to run
UB Staff -
Administering exams was once simple, but many professors now must juggle a growing number of students with official disability accommodations requiring extra time, special rooms or approved technology.
The new college version of ‘the dog ate my homework’
A veteran professor says students are increasingly using AI-crafted emails and mental-health claims to seek last-minute grade boosts. She argues the formulaic appeals feel manipulative and reflect a shift away from genuine academic engagement.
Missouri schools could see new performance incentives under emerging proposal
Offering financial incentives to boost student achievement is relatively new, with few states using outcome-based school funding. But an executive order from Gov. Mike Kehoe could put Missouri on track to try it.
Teacher colleges aren’t boosting workforce diversity, and some are making it worse
Teacher colleges aren’t graduating enough people of color to substantially increase educator workforce diversity, and more than 40% of programs are actually making the field less diverse, according to a new national study.
More 4-year colleges offer 2-year degrees to reach new groups of students
UB Staff -
To better support first-generation and low-income students, Boston College’s Messina College offers intensive academic, financial and residential assistance to help them succeed and transition into bachelor’s programs.
Why so many community college students switch majors
Even students who feel confident in their chosen programs often change direction as they learn more about coursework and careers, a study finds.
NJ program brings 13,500 adult learners back to school
NJBIZ -
New Jersey’s initiative has helped 13,500 adults return to college, boosting tuition recovery and economic impact. It’s become a national model for re-engaging adult learners.
Rural high school students are more likely than city kids to get their diplomas, but they remain less likely to go to college
Rural students graduate at high rates but enroll in college less often due to limited recruitment and course access. Experts urge universities to bolster outreach and support for these communities.
Ten of the best higher education books of 2025
Forbes -
A wide-ranging array of topics was examined in this year’s best higher education books, including student guides, research exposes, leadership advice and scholarship on tenure and academic freedom.
How elite business schools like Wharton are overhauling curriculum as AI reshapes Wall Street bankers’ futures
UB Staff -
Across the country, universities are adding AI-focused courses, launching new majors, and retraining professors to prepare students for a world where algorithms handle the grunt work and humans provide the judgment.
Indiana colleges must answer how new degrees commit to American values
Under newly adopted state requirements, universities must answer whether proposed degree programs exercise a "commitment to the core values of American society."
