This Week In College And Money News: May 22, 2026
This week: ED hires hundreds while dismantling itself, 25 states sue over July 1 grad loan caps, Pell expands to 8-week programs, and FAFSA hits an all-time high.
Education Department Hiring 380 Workers a Year After Trump Cut Half of Federal Student Aid
Federal Student Aid is hiring 380 new workers a year after Trump cut half its staff. The $1.7 trillion student loan office still needs 334 more.
Surgeon General Warns on Kids’ Screen Time, Urges Schools to Return to Pen and Paper
The Surgeon General’s new screen time advisory urges schools to ban phones bell-to-bell and shift back to pen-and-paper learning for kids.
Harvard Faculty Vote To Cap A Grades At 20% Starting Fall 2027
Harvard faculty voted 458-201 to cap A grades at 20% per course starting fall 2027, the College’s biggest move yet against grade inflation.
Bezos Ripped NYC Schools on CNBC. The Numbers Are Even Worse.
Jeff Bezos slammed NYC’s school system on CNBC, citing a $44.6B budget, $34,717 per-pupil spending, and lagging NAEP proficiency scores.
Study Confirms More Hours In School Raises Student Achievement — With One Catch
A new HEDCO Institute review of 74 studies finds more time in school raises student achievement — but only when paired with the right design choices.
23 States Sue Over Upcoming Graduate Student Loan Caps That Take Effect July 2026
23 states sued the U.S. Education Department on May 19 over a rule implementing $100,000 graduate student loan caps set to take effect July 1, 2026.
30 Most Expensive Colleges in 2026: Tuition Tops $72,000 at Every School on the List
Tuition at America’s 30 most expensive colleges in 2026 ranges from $72,000 to $76,828. See the full ranked list, with Colgate sitting at the top.
Workforce Pell Grant Final Rule Locks In July 2026 Launch for Short-Term Training Aid
The Education Department finalized the Workforce Pell Grant rule, opening Pell aid to 8–15 week training programs starting July 1, 2026.
DOJ Alleges Yale Medical School Discriminated By Race In Admissions Through 2025
DOJ found Yale’s medical school discriminated by race in admissions, citing 29x higher interview odds for some applicants and post-SFFA violations.
Eric Schmidt Booed at University of Arizona Graduation Over AI and Jobs
Eric Schmidt was booed at the University of Arizona graduation while discussing AI and jobs — a flashpoint over how grads see Big Tech’s future of work.