Lumina Foundation is working to increase the share of adults in the U.S. labor force with college degrees or other credentials of value leading to economic prosperity.
After a tumultuous year for the higher education sector, accreditors—the quality-control bodies that act as gatekeepers to federal student aid for institutions—are taking stock.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recently held its annual conference in Washington, D.C., as the sector tries to chart a path forward amid policy uncertainty, political pressure, and wavering support for higher ed. Here’s a look at some of the big issues that took center stage, including potential regulations for accreditors from the Trump administration and the launch of new accreditation bodies.
For many inmates inside Virginia’s correctional facilities, especially those incarcerated for more than five years, the world outside may seem incomprehensible. Online job applications, virtual interviews, remote gigs, e-commerce, and even self-checkout and online banking are intimidating new norms.
The Virginia Department of Corrections is addressing this concern by collaborating with various educational institutions and nonprofit organizations to expand online educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals. The goal of the effort is to provide them with the necessary skills for a successful reintegration into today's technology-driven workforce upon their release.
A growing number of states are working to create data systems that connect learners and employers, with a modest nudge from the Trump administration. As these talent marketplaces take shape, a different approach is emerging in Colorado—an employer-driven, hire-local model.
The CareerFit Colorado platform, created by a group of business leaders and launched last fall, seeks to help Coloradans land living-wage jobs with Colorado employers. It covers a handful of high-demand industries and occupations, beginning with business operations, construction and the skilled trades, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing.
More than 300 colleges, many of them under pressure to maintain enrollment, now accept students through direct admissions.
In doing so, they’ve found themselves questioning whether these prospects differ meaningfully from traditional ones—and weighing whether this newer recruitment tactic fits into their existing practices or warrants a deeper evolution of strategy.
Tufts University is urging students to call the school's police department if they see federal immigration agents on or near campus. In an email to students last week, Tufts' police chief said she was aware of reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near the school's grounds. The email also contained common campus safety tips, including being vigilant about surroundings and contacting school police "if something feels concerning."
The missive comes during a period of heightened tension across the country after federal agents shot and killed two Minneapolis protesters amid a broad immigration crackdown.
A sweeping simplification of the federal financial aid application process has resulted in 1.7 million additional students qualifying for maximum Pell Grants in the 2025-26 cycle, representing a 27 percent increase over pre-simplification levels, according to new data from the National College Attainment Network.
The dramatic uptick in eligibility stems from changes implemented through the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law during his first term. The legislation streamlined both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form and the criteria used to determine grant eligibility.
