Trump has pushed to dismantle the Education Department, but his new spending law gives it major new responsibilities, including expanded Pell Grants and loan repayment plans. The move ironically strengthens the agency he wanted to shut down.

Postgraduate programs may be the biggest pain point for institutions scrambling to adapt to student loan changes.

A new AP-NORC poll finds that most American teens—especially girls—say graduating from college is very important to achieving their life goals. Despite rising tuition costs and student debt, teens remain more optimistic about college than adults, with about 6 in 10 calling it a top priority compared to 4 in 10 adults.

Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act would penalize colleges with poor student loan outcomes and reward those with strong returns. Experts see potential benefits but warn the plan relies on data the government doesn't yet have.