Education

UPenn updates swimming records to settle with feds on transgender athletes case

The U.S. Education Department and Penn announced the voluntary agreement of the high-profile case that focused on Lia Thomas, who last competed for the Ivy League school in 2022.

The Trump admin is withholding over $6 billion in education grants for schools

The federal grant funding traditionally goes out by July 1. It includes support for migrant education, after-school programs and English language learners.

Federal investigation finds Harvard violated civil rights law

The Trump administration has issued a notice of violation accusing Harvard University of "deliberate indifference" toward Jewish and Israeli students.

Federal judge weighs whether Alabama’s anti-DEI law threatens First Amendment

The new state law, SB129, followed a slew of proposals from Republican lawmakers across the country taking aim at DEI programs on college campuses. Universities across the country have shuttered or rebranded student affinity groups and DEI offices.

What the Class of 2025 has to say about the state of higher education

Three graduating college seniors reflect on how their final semester, during the Trump presidency, has changed how they think about higher education.

‘It’s such a dream’: Top high school performers step out on Broadway

With a billboard in Times Square and a night on Broadway, the year's top high school performers are ready for their big moment at the Jimmy Awards.

Court blocks Louisiana law requiring schools to post Ten Commandments in classrooms

The ruling marked a win for civil liberties groups who say the mandate violates the separation of church and state, and that displays would isolate students — especially those who are not Christian.

Trump says he’s close to ‘a Deal’ with Harvard, as judge grants injunction

Trump's Truth Social comments came as a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction that would continue blocking the president's efforts to bar international students from attending Harvard.

What children in poverty could lose from the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

Republicans want to change or reduce key social safety net programs that provide healthcare, food benefits and financial assistance for millions of children.

U.S. resumes visas for foreign students but demands access to social media accounts

The U.S. State Department said it is restarting the process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their social media accounts for review.

Announcing the 2024 NPR College Podcast Challenge Honorable Mentions

Here are some of the best entries in NPR's 2024 College Podcast Challenge.

Peter Mohler named new University of Alabama president

Mohler comes to the role from Ohio State University where he served as executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge and as chief scientific officer of the Wexner Medical Center. He also served as Ohio State’s acting president in 2023.

Harvard and the Trump administration return to court over international students

The hearing on whether to indefinitely block President Trump's June 4th proclamation on Harvard's international students is scheduled in federal court in Boston.

People told my dad not to bother educating his 4 daughters. He didn’t listen

On Father's Day, Esther Ngumbi thinks of the sacrifices her Kenyan dad made to ensure that not only his son but his four daughters got an education. He'd say, "I choose to educate you, my girls."

Alabama drops four places in national child well-being rankings

Alabama ranked 43rd nationally for child well-being in the latest KIDS COUNT data book from by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Almost all of the Fulbright board resigns, citing Trump administration interference

Former Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board members said the Trump administration usurped their authority by denying awards to "a substantial number" of the individuals it had selected for the program.

A federal law helps homeless students get an education. Trump’s budget could weaken it

Federal law grants students experiencing homelessness a right to extra support and protections. Advocates say President Trump's proposed budget would strip that law of its power.

All the ways the Trump administration is going after colleges and universities

In seeking to reshape elite universities, the Trump administration is using several tactics, including freezing federal grants and contracts, and threatening colleges' tax-exempt status.

Trump admin asks SCOTUS to intervene and allow Ed Dept cuts

In an emergency appeal, the administration is asking the Supreme Court to lift a lower-court order blocking mass staffing cuts at the Education Department.

Judge puts temporary hold on Trump’s latest ban on Harvard’s foreign students

Admitted students around the world are anxiously tracking the school's feud with the Trump administration, which is seeking to keep it from enrolling international students.

International students look to the U.K. instead of the U.S. amid Trump’s visa plans

Planned U.S. visa restrictions are causing students around the world to consider going to the United Kingdom instead.

In hearings, McMahon faces questions about the shrinking federal role in schools and colleges

In separate hearings on Capitol Hill this week, the Education Secretary answered questions about a range of issues, from student loans to mental health programs.

UAB opens new engineering school building

After two years of construction, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has a new home for its engineering school. Staff cut the ribbon for the Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall Tuesday morning.

Trump’s budget calls for a 15% funding cut to the Education Department

New details of the administration's budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 came after a federal judge blocked the president's efforts to close the U.S. Education Department.

Judge blocks Trump administration’s effort to bar Harvard from enrolling international students

The preliminary injunction would prevent the federal government from revoking Harvard's ability to enroll international students.

U.S. stops scheduling visa interviews for foreign students

The State Department has halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students while it prepares to expand the screening of their activity on social media, officials said.

Trump administration moves to cancel remaining federal funds to Harvard

A letter from the U.S. General Services Administration, which is dated Tuesday, tells agencies to submit a list of contracts they have terminated with the university by June 6.

As Trump targets elite schools, Harvard’s president says they should ‘stand firm’

Cutting off research funding for Harvard University might hurt the school, its president Alan Garber told NPR, but it also potentially sets back important work that benefits the public.

Trump cuts could hurt after-school programs that serve low-income students

Schools in Maine have been at the center of a political battle with the Trump administration. Now, many fear after-school programs, critical for low-income communities, could be lost.

Trump again blasts Harvard over international students as judge blocks revocation

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the home countries of some of Harvard's international students are "not at all friendly to the United States" and "pay NOTHING toward their student's education."

By the numbers: A look at international students at Harvard and across the U.S.

The latest criticism from the Trump administration of Harvard University highlighted the number of international students entering the United States each year for higher education.

Cold case solved: College students help ID the remains of a 19th century sea captain

Remains of the "Scattered Man John Doe" began washing ashore in New Jersey in 1995 and went unidentified for the next three decades. Students at Ramapo College set about to solve the mystery.