The U.S. Department of Education (ED) on January 30, 2026, published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to implement certain changes in connection with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), including adjustments to federal student loan borrowing limits, repayment plans and other conforming changes. The NPRM follows ED's negotiated rulemaking hearings on this topic, which took place in fall 2025. ED is accepting public comments on the proposal through March 2, 2026. Background OBBB was [...]

On January 16, 2025, the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Education – the agency responsible for enforcing Title IX at institutions of higher education – issued a Fact Sheet confirming that OCR will apply established gender equity principles governing collegiate athletics when evaluating institutions’ NIL-related compensation and activities.  The Fact Sheet formalized the July 2024 statement by OCR assistant secretary Catherine Lhamon that “Schools must provide equal athletic opportunities based on [...]

Changing economic and political circumstances are prompting US institutions—including colleges and universities—to reconsider their publicly stated sustainability targets and climate commitments. This trend reflects economic pressures, scrutiny of climate action by the current federal administration and some state attorneys general, and the reality that many entities with decarbonization goals (e.g., “net zero by 2050”) are not on track to meet them. When revising or abandoning existing environmental sustainability goals, institutions of higher education should [...]