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Mississippi Governor Announces $100 Million Investment in Economic Development and Infrastructure

Mississippi Governor Announces $100 Million Investment in Economic Development and Infrastructure

Mississippi Governor Announces $100 Million Investment in Economic Development and Infrastructure

Congressional Lawmakers Push for Nursing to be Recognized as a 'Professional' Program by Education Department

Congressional Lawmakers Push for Nursing to be Recognized as a 'Professional' Program by Education Department

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging the U.S. Department of Education to include nursing in its list of 'professional' programs, following public outcry over its exclusion. The Trump administration's current list includes fields such as medicine, law, and theology, but omits nursing. This designation is significant because it affects the amount of federal loans students can borrow for graduate studies. Under the proposed rules, students in professional programs could borrow up to $200,000 in total, while those in other programs face a cap of $100,000. Lawmakers argue that the current cap would make it difficult for students to afford expensive nursing programs, such as those for nurse anesthetists, which can exceed $200,000. The letter, signed by over 140 lawmakers, including 12 Republicans, was spearheaded by Sen. Jeff Merkley, Sen. Roger Wicker, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, and Rep. Jen Kiggans. They contend that excluding nursing from the professional category could force students to resort to riskier pr...

The Latest: Indiana GOP rejects redrawn congressional map despite pressure from Trump

The Latest: Indiana GOP rejects redrawn congressional map despite pressure from Trump

Indiana’s Republican-led Senate has decisively rejected a redrawn congressional map that would have favored their party, defying months of pressure from President Donald Trump and delivering a stark setback to the White House ahead of next year’s midterm elections

Congress Urges Education Department to Include Nursing in 'Professional' Programs for Loan Benefits

Congress Urges Education Department to Include Nursing in 'Professional' Programs for Loan Benefits

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pressing the U.S. Department of Education to classify nursing as a 'professional' program, which would allow nursing students to access larger federal loans for their education. This push comes after the Trump administration's recent proposal excluded nursing from the list of professional programs, which currently includes fields like medicine, law, and theology. Under the proposed rules, students in professional programs could borrow up to $200,000 in total, while those in other graduate programs would face a cap of $100,000. Lawmakers argue that the current cap would make it difficult for students to afford expensive nursing programs, such as those for nurse anesthetists, which are crucial for providing healthcare in underserved areas. The Education Department has stated that most nursing students are in programs unaffected by the new caps, but the proposal has drawn criticism from nursing organizations and other groups left out of the professional designation.

Lawmakers urge Education Department to add nursing to 'professional' programs list amid uproar

Lawmakers urge Education Department to add nursing to 'professional' programs list amid uproar

A bipartisan group in Congress is urging the Education Department to add nursing to a list of college programs that are considered “professional.”

Lawmakers Push for Nursing to be Recognized as 'Professional' Program by Education Department

Lawmakers Push for Nursing to be Recognized as 'Professional' Program by Education Department

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging the U.S. Department of Education to include nursing in its list of 'professional' programs, following public outcry over its exclusion. The Trump administration's current list includes fields such as medicine, law, and theology, but omits nursing. This designation is significant as it allows students to borrow larger amounts of federal loans for graduate degrees. Under the proposed rules, students in professional programs could borrow up to $200,000 in total, while those in other programs face a $100,000 cap. Lawmakers argue that the cap would make it difficult for students to afford expensive nursing programs, such as those for nurse anesthetists, which can exceed $200,000. The letter, signed by over 140 lawmakers, challenges the Education Department's claim that few nursing students would be affected by the cap.

Higher Education Reform: Bipartisan Collaboration Needed for Implementation of OBBBA

Higher Education Reform: Bipartisan Collaboration Needed for Implementation of OBBBA

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) represents a significant overhaul of federal higher education policy, requiring bipartisan cooperation for effective implementation. The bill, passed along partisan lines, aims to enhance student success and postsecondary value through institutional accountability, new loan limits, and reforms to the Pell Grant program. Despite differing opinions, there is consensus on the need for accountability and support for high-value training programs. Challenges include tight timelines, data infrastructure needs, and the Education Department's transitional phase.

Higher Education Reform Requires Bipartisan Efforts for Effective Implementation

Higher Education Reform Requires Bipartisan Efforts for Effective Implementation

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) represents a major overhaul of federal higher education policy, necessitating bipartisan cooperation for successful implementation. The act focuses on institutional accountability, new loan limits, and reforms to the Pell Grant program. Despite partisan differences, there is consensus on the need for accountability and support for high-value training programs. Challenges include tight timelines, data infrastructure needs, and the Education Department's transition. A new report from Inside Higher Ed explores these issues and highlights areas where left-right collaboration is crucial for maximizing student success and postsecondary value.

Education Department Reinstates Fired Civil Rights Workers Amid Ongoing Litigation

Education Department Reinstates Fired Civil Rights Workers Amid Ongoing Litigation

The Education Department is recalling employees from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) who were previously dismissed as part of a workforce reduction earlier this year. The decision comes amidst ongoing litigation challenging the department's initial plan to cut half of the OCR staff. The department has been compensating these employees despite their absence from work. The recall aims to refocus efforts on addressing existing civil rights complaints. The exact number of employees returning remains unclear, with reports varying from 'dozens' to 'more than 260'. The American Federation of Government Employees has expressed relief over the decision but criticized Education Secretary Linda McMahon for prioritizing politics over student rights.

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget Warns of $61 Billion Pell Grant Shortfall

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget Warns of $61 Billion Pell Grant Shortfall

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has issued a warning regarding a significant shortfall in the Pell Grant program, estimating a deficit of at least $61 billion over the next decade. This warning comes despite Congress's recent allocation of a one-time $10.5 billion fund intended to temporarily bolster the program's reserves. The Pell Grant, a crucial source of financial aid for low-income students, is facing increased financial strain due to expanded eligibility and rising costs. The Committee highlighted that the recent congressional appropriation is insufficient to address the long-term structural imbalance between the program's costs and funding. The introduction of the Workforce Pell initiative, which expands aid to short-term training programs, is expected to further increase costs by $2 billion to $6 billion, potentially raising the cumulative shortfall to $97 billion over ten years.

Higher Education Reform Requires Bipartisan Cooperation Post-Reconciliation

Higher Education Reform Requires Bipartisan Cooperation Post-Reconciliation

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) represents a major overhaul of federal higher education policy, passed along partisan lines. The bill introduces significant changes, including institutional accountability for student outcomes, new loan limits, and reforms to the Pell Grant program. Despite partisan differences, experts agree on the need for accountability and support for high-value training programs. The implementation of these reforms requires bipartisan cooperation, with challenges such as tight timelines, data infrastructure, and execution by an Education Department in transition.

Education Department Reinstates Staff to Address Civil Rights Case Backlog

Education Department Reinstates Staff to Address Civil Rights Case Backlog

The Trump administration is recalling Education Department staffers previously slated for layoffs to address a growing backlog of civil rights complaints. These staffers, part of the office for civil rights, were on administrative leave due to ongoing legal battles over layoffs. The department faces a backlog of over 25,000 discrimination cases, up from 20,000 when President Trump took office. The decision to reinstate staff comes amid efforts to reduce the department's size, with the workforce shrinking significantly since Trump's tenure began.