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Federal Student Aid Releases Updated 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide for Financial Aid Professionals

Federal Student Aid Releases Updated 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide for Financial Aid Professionals

Federal Student Aid (FSA) has released updated volumes of the 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide. Specifically, Volumes 4A, 4B, 5, and 6, along with the Excel version of the ISIR record layout, have been revised. The FAFSA Specifications Guide serves as a comprehensive reference for financial aid administrators, programmers, data processing staff, and other FSA partners. Its purpose is to facilitate the integration of electronic FAFSA functionality into institutional systems and enable electronic communication with the FAFSA Processing System. The guide provides detailed FAFSA-related processing information and guidance across multiple volumes. Users are advised to review the 'Change History Table' in each updated volume and the 'Changes' column in the Excel file for complete information on the revisions. The guide is an essential resource for those involved in processing federal student aid applications.

California Ranks Among Lowest in Student Debt Burden Nationally

California Ranks Among Lowest in Student Debt Burden Nationally

A new analysis by WalletHub indicates that California has one of the lowest student debt burdens in the United States, ranking 49th least-indebted among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Only Hawaii and Utah fared better. This finding is notable given California's high cost of living. The primary reason attributed to this low debt burden is that an overwhelming 83% of college-age students in California choose to attend public colleges and universities. The state's extensive public higher education systems—the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California Community Colleges (CCC)—comprise approximately 150 institutions. These public institutions offer reasonable in-state tuition fees, which significantly reduces the need for students to take out large loans. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, freshmen in California are 44% less likely to take out a loan compared to students in other states. Less than 40% of freshmen at UC and CSU campuses take out loa...

U.S. Education Department Data Reveals High Nonpayment Rates for Student Loans at 500 Colleges, Primarily For-Profit Institutions

U.S. Education Department Data Reveals High Nonpayment Rates for Student Loans at 500 Colleges, Primarily For-Profit Institutions

New data from the U.S. Education Department indicates that at 500 colleges and universities across the U.S., at least 40% of recent federal loan borrowers are not repaying their loans. This data covers approximately 17 million borrowers who entered repayment between January 2020 and May 2025. The vast majority of these institutions (424) are private, for-profit schools, with only 15 being public institutions. Many of these for-profit colleges, such as UEI College and Miller-Motte College, rely heavily on federal aid, with some receiving between 79% and 89% of their revenue from the U.S. government. The nonpayment rates at these schools are significantly higher than the average of around 15% seen at public and private non-profit institutions. Experts like Eileen Connor of the Project on Predatory Student Lending and Preston Cooper of the American Enterprise Institute raise concerns about the value these schools provide and their continued access to federal funding.

UC Regents Debate Reinstatement of SAT for Admissions Amidst Declining Math Scores

UC Regents Debate Reinstatement of SAT for Admissions Amidst Declining Math Scores

The University of California (UC) Regents are currently engaged in a significant public discussion regarding the potential reintroduction of SAT testing requirements for university admissions. This debate has been fueled by concerns from math and science faculty across the nine undergraduate campuses, who report a five-year decline in average grades for preparatory math, precalculus, and calculus courses, alongside an increase in D and F grades, no-pass marks, and withdrawals in these subjects. Over 3,000 UC faculty members have signed letters advocating for the SAT's return, citing a perceived lack of basic math and reasoning skills among some first-year students. Conversely, admissions officials from UCLA and UC Riverside have presented data suggesting that students admitted without test scores are not less likely to stay in school or graduate, with retention and graduation rates remaining stable or even increasing. Regent Jay Sures, who previously voted to eliminate the SAT, indicated he is reconsiderin...

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Faculty Issue No-Confidence Vote Against President and Vice President

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Faculty Issue No-Confidence Vote Against President and Vice President

Faculty members at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) have overwhelmingly passed a resolution of no confidence against President Kayla Hale and Vice President for Academic Affairs Makenna Garrison. The vote, with 40 in favor, one opposed, and four abstentions, stems from significant concerns over proposed policy and structural changes. These changes, faculty leaders argue, could lead to larger class sizes, increased online instruction, greater reliance on adjunct faculty, and the potential elimination or consolidation of academic programs. Additionally, there are proposals to alter USAO's distinctive academic calendar and transfer curriculum authority from faculty to administrators. A key point of contention is the removal of all references to tenure in school policy, extending beyond a gubernatorial executive order that only banned tenure for new hires. Faculty members acknowledge the need to address state and federal mandates and update an outdated faculty handbook but describe the cur...

U.S. Education Department Data Reveals High Student Loan Nonpayment Rates at 500 Colleges

U.S. Education Department Data Reveals High Student Loan Nonpayment Rates at 500 Colleges

The U.S. Education Department has released new data indicating that at least 40% of recent students who borrowed federal loans from 500 colleges and universities are not repaying them. This data covers approximately 17 million borrowers who entered repayment between January 2020 and May 2025. Eileen Connor, head of the Project on Predatory Student Lending, described these numbers as "jaw-dropping." The majority of these institutions, 424 out of 500, are private, for-profit schools. Examples include Tulsa Welding School and Miller-Motte College, where over half of recent borrowers are not making payments. Many cosmetology and barbering schools also show high nonpayment rates, such as Legends Barber College, where 81% of its 100 borrowers are not repaying their loans. In contrast, public and private non-profit institutions had average nonpayment rates around 15%. The Education Department declined to comment directly on the story but referred to a previous statement from Undersecretary of Education Nicholas K...

U.S. Department of Education Oversees National Educational Policies and Programs

U.S. Department of Education Oversees National Educational Policies and Programs

The U.S. Department of Education serves as the principal federal agency responsible for establishing policy, administering, and overseeing educational programs across the nation. Its comprehensive structure includes various key offices such as the Office of the Secretary and the Office of the Deputy Secretary, which guide the department's overall direction. Additionally, specialized divisions like the Office for Civil Rights ensure equitable access to education, while the Office of Non-Public Education addresses the needs of private schools. The Office of Student Aid plays a crucial role in providing financial assistance to students pursuing higher education. The department also maintains regional offices to facilitate the implementation of its initiatives at a local level, all working towards its core mission of promoting educational access and achievement for all American students. This organizational framework allows the department to manage a wide array of educational functions, from policy development...

Einhorn Collaborative Donates $10 Million to Citizens and Scholars for College Civic Preparedness Initiative

Einhorn Collaborative Donates $10 Million to Citizens and Scholars for College Civic Preparedness Initiative

Einhorn Collaborative has announced a $10 million gift to Citizens and Scholars (C&S), a nonprofit dedicated to fostering engaged citizenship among college students. This significant investment will support C&S’s College Presidents for Civic Preparedness initiative, a coalition of 140 university leaders committed to integrating democratic principles and practices into campus life. The goal is to equip the next generation with essential civic learning skills, such as perspective-taking, constructive disagreement, and collaborative problem-solving. The initiative aims to reach 4.5 million students across 400 institutions over the next five years, transforming campus civic culture and preparing students to navigate complex societal challenges. This effort comes as a response to observations that America's social fabric is frayed and that higher education has largely failed to prepare students with the tools to engage in civil discourse and address polarization.

University of Missouri Investigates Professor Over Alleged DEI Sympathies Following Video

University of Missouri Investigates Professor Over Alleged DEI Sympathies Following Video

The University of Missouri is currently investigating one of its professors following the emergence of a video that allegedly shows him expressing support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices. The video, reportedly filmed by Accuracy in Media (AIM) using a hidden camera, features Professor Wayne Brekhus, chair of the Department of Sociology, discussing DEI. In the video, Professor Brekhus mentions that many faculty members conduct DEI-related research, including work on identities, inequalities, and LGBTQ+ issues. He also suggests that some institutions have made DEI programs less visible by changing their names or placing them under different umbrellas. AIM claims the video demonstrates a public employee violating federal and state laws against DEI practices. The University of Missouri, which previously eliminated all DEI programs and requirements, stated on its X account that Professor Brekhus's conduct would be investigated and appropriate actions taken. Professor Brekhus later issued an...

Cornell University Launches 'Cornell Unplugged' Initiative to Reduce Student Screen Time

Cornell University Launches 'Cornell Unplugged' Initiative to Reduce Student Screen Time

Cornell University has introduced a new week-long initiative called 'Cornell Unplugged,' encouraging students, faculty, and staff to decrease their technology use and increase face-to-face interaction. The program aims to address concerns about social isolation, the impact of excessive screen time on learning, and the environmental costs associated with computing and AI. Participants, like third-year environmental engineering student Mikael Murphy-Rendón, are encouraged to set personal goals for unplugging, such as taking notes by hand instead of on an iPad and being more intentional about in-person social interactions. The initiative also suggests that faculty consider tech-free or tech-light exercises in their classrooms. Steven Jackson, chair of the Cornell Sustainable Computing Working Group and vice provost for academic innovation, highlighted that the timing of the initiative at the start of the academic year is designed to help students establish healthier technology habits early on. The program is ...

College of DuPage Launches New Cyber Threat Intelligence Degree to Combat AI-Driven Cyberattacks

College of DuPage Launches New Cyber Threat Intelligence Degree to Combat AI-Driven Cyberattacks

The College of DuPage (COD) has introduced a new Cyber Threat Intelligence A.A.S. degree program. This initiative aims to equip students with the skills to analyze cyber threats, respond to digital attacks, and leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in cyber defense strategies. The curriculum, developed by COD’s Computer and Information Technology (CIT) and Computer and Information Science (CIS) programs, integrates coursework in cybersecurity, threat intelligence, and AI. According to Tony Chen, professor of Computer and Information Technology, the degree aligns with the National Security Agency’s (NSA) focus on competencies in both cybersecurity and AI. The program will cover cyber defense, network security fundamentals, and a dedicated Cyber Threat Intelligence course. Several existing certificates within the CIT and CIS programs can be stacked towards this new degree. COD is recognized by the NSA as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and plans to pursue the NSA’s CyberAI designati...

University of South Dakota – Sioux Falls Reports Significant Enrollment Growth in Business and Healthcare Programs

University of South Dakota – Sioux Falls Reports Significant Enrollment Growth in Business and Healthcare Programs

The University of South Dakota – Sioux Falls has announced a substantial increase in its enrollment, particularly within its business and healthcare programs. The Sioux Falls campus welcomed 649 students this fall semester, experiencing a 48.5% growth in full-time, first-time freshman enrollment. This growth is attributed to the university's deliberate expansion of academic programs designed to meet local workforce demands. Key areas of growth include nursing, health sciences, and business programs. The university also recently added a radiological technology specialization within the health sciences program in January 2026, which prepares students for careers in imaging procedures like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Additionally, the USD Beacom School of Business has seen a 29.5% increase in graduate business program enrollment since 2022, with total enrollment across the business school reaching an all-time high this fall. The university is also strengthening partnerships with institutions like Southeast Te...