Higher Ed Drive
February 05, 2026 Enrollment Management Trends, Value and Affordability
A 1.6 million increase in FAFSA applicants has been reported for incoming students in the 2026-2027 academic year. According to the National College Attainment Network, this marks a 52% increase from last year’s applicant pool at this time. With nearly 8 million FAFSA applications processed, the Department of Education credits recent increased changes to initiatives such as the rolling out of a new user-friendly FAFSA form. With cost of attendance becoming a top factor in deciding to pursue a postsecondary education, several states have introduced FAFSA filing requirements. The introduction of new regulations as well as the efforts set in place by the Department of Education to make filing for FAFSA more accessible has allowed them to celebrate the ‘historic milestones’ achieved in student applications.
Higher Ed Drive
January 29, 2026 Admissions, Student Success, Value and Affordability
Policy changes across the higher education landscape are expected to continue this year, affecting operations and students. Institutions will be under intensified accreditation pressure from the federal government, potentially reshaping accreditation regulations. Ongoing Title IV investigations by the administration continue to expand. Over 2,600 federal research grants are cancelled or suspended, though funding priorities of the administration have begun to emerge. Additionally, in-state tuition rates for undocumented students have ended via executive order.
University Business
January 07, 2026 Enrollment Management Trends, Value and Affordability
The high cost of tuition at American colleges and universities is a relatively recent development. Most public colleges in the United States—and even some private ones—were originally founded as tuition-free institutions. As late as the 1960s, tuition at most state schools was either completely free or low-cost to residents. In the 1970s, a sluggish economy put a squeeze on state funding for higher education. At the same time, the advent of federal student loans shifted the burden of paying for college more heavily onto individual students and families.
Higher Ed Drive
December 08, 2025 Student Success, Value and Affordability
The Education Department is raising awareness regarding what they deem to be ”low return” institutions by introducing a new feature that alerts first time FAFSA applicants if they have selected institutions whose graduates, on average, earn less than those with high school diplomas. The warning is for informational purposes and bears no impact on the FAFSA application process or eligibility determination. This initiative, live as of December 8, aims to make the college decision process more transparent as it relates to potential post-secondary outcomes.
Higher Ed Drive
November 11, 2025 Student Success, Value and Affordability
A new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa requests has been introduced by the current administration. This increase is substantial, as previously fees ranged from $2,000 – $5,000. Many higher education institutions across the nation rely on this community of visa holders, as H-1B visa holders are often hired to lead in research. This new established fee is applicable to new petitioners from outside of the United States. Higher education institutions have challenged this new regulation, advocating for policy changes and exemptions. Although no changes have stemmed from these actions, universities are advised to explore alternative visa options and continue advocating about the impact of this policy on education and overall economy.
Higher Ed Drive
October 25, 2025 Student Success, Value and Affordability
A recent study from the University of Arkansas found only 9 of the 1,584 U.S. colleges could be classified as “equity engines”. This classification applies to institutions where at least 34% of students receive Pell Grants, and among those, 55% graduate within six years. The exclusivity of U.S. colleges leaves many low-income students lacking equitable access to college. The study recommends expanded investment in colleges that may be close to fulfilling the established “equity engine” qualifications. Institutions more generally must also be willing to undergo institutional changes that embrace shared and equitable learning opportunities.
Inside Higher Ed
October 07, 2025 Student Success, Value and Affordability
College students often underestimate the cost of attending college. Only about 27% of students claim to fully understand the expenses and costs associated with tuition, housing, and other fees. Students share that these costs and other unanticipated costs could impact their active enrollment at collegiate institutions. Although institutions can often offer emergency aid and other financial support to students, many are unaware of these resources. The survey in this article highlights the current disconnect between available institutional support efforts and student knowledge and awareness. Cost transparency and improved communication efforts can assist with student retention related to financial matters.
HigherEd Dive
The federal Grad PLUS loan program was recently eliminated via the “One Big Beautiful Act” . This program allowed graduate students to borrow up to their full cost of attendance. The end of the Grad PLUS program will impost strict lifetime borrowing limitations, which may drive students toward the use of private loans with higher interest rates. While only 16% of graduate students used Grad PLUS, it accounted for 32% of federal loan disbursements and helped finance the most expensive programs. Critics argue the program fueled rising tuition and excessive debt, while supporters warn its end could reduce graduate enrollment and force colleges to cut programs. Experts remain uncertain how the loss of Grad PLUS will reshape access to graduate education and the financial stability of higher education institutions.
Higher Ed. Dive
September 08, 2025 Value and Affordability
Tasked with addressing disputes between students and loan servicers, the Office of Consumer Education and Ombudsman, formerly known as the Financial Student Aid’s Ombudsman Office, is rebranding and expanding. As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s efforts to increase financial literacy of borrowing students and their families, new borrower tools and accessible guideline measures on student loans and repayments are being developed. The FSA also aims to establish a standard manual for servicers that strives to address borrower complaints and “systemic issues” while establishing a set of standards to be followed by student loan servicers.
HIGHER ED DIVE
August 05, 2025 Enrollment Management Trends, Value and Affordability
According to a recent working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, lower-income students get less of a boost to their earnings potential than they once did. The catalyst to this decline can be attributed to a shift in lower-income college students’ enrollment at research universities and study fields with high returns which ultimately impacts their long-term earning potential. Colleges historically attended by lower-income students such as teaching-oriented public universities, have experienced declines in “funding, retention, and economic value since 1960.” Lower-income students now receive less than half the earnings boost from college as their higher-income peers and currently have a 5-percentage income gap.