News and reports from the Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education has released proposed regulations aimed at increasing college access for high school students, enhancing public data on student outcomes, and strengthening oversight of distance education programs. These regulations propose changes in three key areas: federal TRIO programs, Distance Education, and Return to Title IV (R2T4). This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader efforts to improve college access, affordability, and the overall quality of postsecondary education.

New Data Shows Streamlined Procedure Is Helping Increasing Numbers of Eligible Borrowers

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced today that Brown University in Rhode Island has entered into a resolution agreement to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 concerning alleged harassment of students based on national origin, including shared Jewish, Palestinian, Arab, and/or Muslim ancestry. The complaint was filed against the university in December 2023 alleging Title VI violations.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona issued a statement today ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling on college affirmative action programs.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona issued a statement on June 25, 2024, regarding recent rulings by district courts in Missouri and Kansas that impact the Biden-Harris Administration’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that Lafayette College has entered into a resolution agreement to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when addressing allegations of discrimination or harassment based on shared ancestry, including Jewish ancestry.

The U.S. Department of Education announced today the allocation of over $44.5 million in grants under the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) program. These funds aim to enhance postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion rates among rural students by developing high-quality career pathways aligned with high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released three new resources today, providing information for students, parents and families, and schools on the civil rights of students with sickle cell disease, epilepsy, and cancer. This release coincides with World Sickle Cell Day and National Black Family Cancer Awareness Week.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced the resolution of nine pending complaints against the City University of New York (CUNY), its Central Office, and several CUNY colleges: Hunter College, CUNY School of Law, Brooklyn College, Queens College, and Baruch College. These resolutions address discrimination concerns from the academic year 2019-2020 onward.

The U.S. Department of Education will issue a Request for Information (RFI) to better understand the operational aspects of potentially expanding Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for workers in early childhood education (ECE) settings.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona released a statement today regarding the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) entering into resolution agreements with the University of Michigan and the City University of New York concerning Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has announced a resolution agreement with the University of Michigan to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when addressing allegations of discrimination or harassment, including those based on shared Jewish ancestry and shared Palestinian or Muslim ancestry.

The U.S. Department of Education announced today the appointment of Jeremy Singer as FAFSA Executive Advisor in the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). Singer will lead the overall strategy for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and drive technology innovation to enhance FSA’s technical and operational capabilities.

The U.S. Department of Education announced the 2024 Engage Every Student Recognition Program Champions, honoring 13 non-profit organizations and city municipalities across the country. These entities, working in partnership with local schools, are recognized for their efforts to expand access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs.

The Biden-Harris administration, in collaboration with multiple U.S. departments, launched an awareness campaign for school safety, aiming to equip schools with resources through SchoolSafety.gov for the upcoming academic year.