APLU In The News

The White House’s sudden pause on federal grants and loans is drawing sharp criticism from education leaders, union officials and Democratic lawmakers, as President Donald J. Trump’s administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending, Diverse Education reports.

As a federal judge temporarily blocks part of the Trump administration’s pausing of federal grants and loans Tuesday, a slew of advocacy groups, charities, foreign aid and public health programs are decrying a potential upending of American lives on an unprecedented scale, CNN reports.

A White House directive to pause federal grants and loans raised uncertainty and fears among many who depend on federal aid before a judge intervened Tuesday to temporarily block it from taking effect, the Associated Press reports.

President Trump’s plan to temporarily freeze federal grants and loans set off a wave of confusion and concerns across higher ed Tuesday. But just minutes before it was set to take effect, a federal judge blocked the order, Inside Higher Ed reports.

As Republicans on Capitol Hill look to potentially spend billions on mass deportations, tax cuts and other Trump administration priorities, the House GOP is hunting for ways to save money elsewhere. But some of the slashes they’re suggesting could harm colleges, universities and the students they serve, higher ed advocates say, Inside Higher Ed reports.

“Colleges and universities, particularly public institutions, are facing growing pressure from lawmakers, students and their families to improve postgraduate outcomes, demonstrating a return on investment in students’ college experiences. While the long-term benefits of a college education remain clear, helping students land higher-paying jobs and see a more direct correlation between their education and careers…

When the American economy plummeted in 2008, higher education found itself an easy target for state lawmakers who had to slash budgets. Headlines like “A Bad Budget” and “Dwindling Funding” became commonplace even as enrollment numbers skyrocketed and entire buckets of state funding vanished, Inside Higher Ed reports.

“Americans love to grouse about the rising cost of college. But consider this: The average in-state student at a public university now pays only $2,480 a year in net tuition and fees,” USA Today reports.