Higher Ed Policy and Budget Announcements

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Barnard, Columbia join Harvard legal fight against Trump administration’s blocking of international student enrollment

Feb 9, 2026 - Barnard and Columbia have joined Harvard University’s legal fight against President Donald Trump’s administration’s blocking of international student enrollment at the university, signing onto an amicus brief on Jan. 20.

Barnard, Columbia join Harvard legal fight against Trump administration’s blocking of international student enrollment

More Indiana college degree programs in jeopardy

Feb 10, 2026 - Indiana lawmakers revisited a provision that would require state officials to potentially eliminate certain low-wage college degree programs

More Indiana college degree programs in jeopardy

Defense Department cuts academic ties with Harvard

Feb 9, 2026 - The Pentagon no longer plans to sponsor studies of military service members at the Ivy League institution as the Trump administration presses its feud with the university.

Defense Department cuts academic ties with Harvard

Santa Monica College approves dozens of layoffs to target shortfalls

Feb 9, 2026 - The California public institution is struggling with a persistent structural deficit as well as recent and long-term enrollment declines.

Santa Monica College approves dozens of layoffs to target shortfalls

45 layoffs as ISU axes College of Education, splits biology department in mass restructuring

Feb 6, 2026 - Idaho State University is laying off 45 people and enacting significant structural changes impacting four colleges as it works to address an $8 million deficit.

45 layoffs as ISU axes College of Education, splits biology department in mass restructuring

‘An urgent operational reality’: Southern Oregon University faces looming cash shortfall

Feb 4, 2026 - The struggling regional institution has seen enrollment decline and is now trying to manage its expenses amid constrained revenue.

‘An urgent operational reality’: Southern Oregon University faces looming cash shortfall

Princeton moves to tighten budgets as investment markets slow

Feb 4, 2026 - More than half of the Ivy League institution's operating revenue comes from endowment income, but lower returns and higher taxes could stymie growth.

Princeton moves to tighten budgets as investment markets slow

Trump signs $79B education funding bill into law

Feb 3, 2026 - The fiscal 2026 budget measure will fund the agency through Sept. 30, giving it about $217 million above the prior year’s funding level.

Trump signs $79B education funding bill into law

Trump ups demands from Harvard, seeks $1 billion settlement after months of strained talks

Feb 3, 2026 - President Donald Trump has doubled down on his attacks against Harvard University, demanding that the Ivy League school pay a $1 billion settlement to restore federal funding after months of failed negotiations.

Trump ups demands from Harvard, seeks $1 billion settlement after months of strained talks

Iowa private university leaders see bills as harmful to their institutions

Feb 2, 2026 - Leaders say they are worried about their peers and the setting of a dangerous precedent in the state as Iowa lawmakers move to establish new degree programs at community colleges and tax endowment funds filled by donors.

Iowa private university leaders see bills as harmful to their institutions

Federal Funding for Science and Engineering: Trends in Rankings Among Top Universities, FYs 2014–23

Feb 2, 2026 - In FY 2023, federal agency obligations to the top 10 higher education recipient institutions totaled $9.9 billion, or 20.1% of all federal S&E support obligations to higher education institutions.

Federal Funding for Science and Engineering: Trends in Rankings Among Top Universities, FYs 2014–23

Former USU president likely broke Utah law with spending and contract awards, state audit says

Jan 30, 2026 - The blistering 104-page report points to “severe noncompliance” under Utah State University President Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell.

Former USU president likely broke Utah law with spending and contract awards, state audit says

Penn undergoes another round of budget-tightening measures

Jan 30, 2026 - The Ivy League institution directed leaders of its schools and centers to reduce “certain expenditures” by 4% amid federal policy headwinds.

Penn undergoes another round of budget-tightening measures

Cal State unveils plan for ‘long overdue’ review of campus finances

Jan 29, 2026 - After deep cutbacks at Sonoma State University, CSU leaders said closer oversight of its 22 campuses’ finances would act as an early warning system.

Cal State unveils plan for ‘long overdue’ review of campus finances

Florida moves forward with DeSantis-backed pause for H-1B visas in universities

Jan 29, 2026 - The pause will affect the hiring of international faculty and staff throughout the state's university system.

Florida moves forward with DeSantis-backed pause for H-1B visas in universities

Should professors be forced to retire?

Jan 27, 2026 - Some universities are implementing a mandatory retirement age for academics. Will it help young researchers to get permanent positions?

Should professors be forced to retire?

Education Department moves to overhaul accreditation regulations

Jan 27, 2026 - The agency wants to make it easier for new accreditors to gain recognition and to curb diversity, equity and inclusion standards, per a Federal Register notice.

Education Department moves to overhaul accreditation regulations

U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office

Jan 26, 2026 - A Science analysis reveals how many were fired, retired, or quit across 14 agencies

U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office

Utah higher education could see another state budget cut — this time, losing $94 million

Jan 26, 2026 - It's the third year in a row that the Utah Legislature has asked to slash the higher education budget, spurring deep frustration among school leaders.

Utah higher education could see another state budget cut — this time, losing $94 million

He left the US for an internship. Trump's travel ban made it impossible to return

Jan 26, 2026 - The Trump administration has thrown up new obstacles for international students, from travel bans to a pause in visa appointments and new layers of vetting.

He left the US for an internship. Trump's travel ban made it impossible to return

The health care hiring boom is losing steam

Jan 26, 2026 - Cuts to federal health programs, AI automation and rising costs are making health systems and other employers level off hiring.

The health care hiring boom is losing steam

OECD Report on AI in Education Offers Nuanced Perspective

Jan 22, 2026 - It offers a nuanced account of when, how, and under what conditions GenAI can genuinely improve learning, teaching, and system effectiveness, while also being explicit about risks and unintended consequences.

OECD Report on AI in Education Offers Nuanced Perspective

Updates on US federal research policy

Jan 23, 2026 - The OMB released a budget data request this week, ordering a review of federal funding for 14 states. All federal agencies save for the DOD and the Department of Veterans Affairs are charged with responding

Updates on US federal research policy

New Study Shows University Indirect Cost Rates Are Reasonable

Jan 23, 2026 - Universities on average are reimbursed less by the federal government for the indirect research costs they incur than private industry contractors and federal laboratories.

New Study Shows University Indirect Cost Rates Are Reasonable

Yale will cut graduate student enrollment due to federal endowment tax hike, dean says

Jan 22, 2026 - Yale University will be reducing its graduate student population over the next three years.

Yale will cut graduate student enrollment due to federal endowment tax hike, dean says

UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees Approves Surprise $16.5 Million Cut

Jan 21, 2026 - The group passed a resolution directing university leaders to propose a plan to cut more administrative spending.

UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees Approves Surprise $16.5 Million Cut

The US is quitting 66 global agencies: what does it mean for science?

Jan 20, 2026 - The United States is leaving some of the world’s oldest and most influential scientific networks involved in biodiversity research, climate science and conservation.

The US is quitting 66 global agencies: what does it mean for science?

US Congress set to reject Trump’s sweeping science budget cuts

Jan 20, 2026 - Lawmakers announce legislation that would actually increase funding for basic research by more than 2%.

US Congress set to reject Trump’s sweeping science budget cuts

US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains

Jan 20, 2026 - A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.

US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains

Trump 2.0’s impact on higher ed: The first year in 8 numbers

Jan 20, 2026 - A chaotic 2025 brought dozens of federal college probes, thousands of revoked international student visas, and billions in threatened research funding.

Trump 2.0’s impact on higher ed: The first year in 8 numbers