U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Federal Agencies
Recent News About U.S. Department of Education
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The Biden-Harris Administration has declared a new record in Federal funding and investments for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), amounting to over $16 billion from Fiscal Years (FY) 2021 through the currently available data for FY 2024. This updated total, up from the previously announced $7 billion, encompasses significant additional actions already undertaken.
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The Biden-Harris Administration has extended the deadline for student borrowers to apply for loan consolidation, giving them until June 30 to do so. This extension comes as part of an update on the timing of the payment count adjustment, a mechanism designed to ensure that borrowers receive proper credit for progress made toward income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
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In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced new measures to enhance access to school-based mental health services. These actions include: (1) nearly doubling investments in the U.S. Department of Education’s School-Based Mental Health Services and Mental Health Service Professionals grant programs for the current fiscal year; (2) additional investments through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to improve student and educator mental health and wellbeing; and (3) offering new mental health and wellbeing training and...
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U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has announced the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars, honoring 161 high school seniors for their achievements in academics, arts, and career and technical education fields.
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The U.S. Department of Education’s (Department’s) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today released a Dear Colleague Letter to schools specifying with concrete examples the application of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to allegations of discrimination in schools based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including discrimination against students and school community members who are or are perceived to be Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian, Hindu, or Palestinian.
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The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today announced additional steps to support students and their families with the Better FAFSA. The Department is launching a multi-million-dollar program as part of the FAFSA Student Support Strategy to help school districts, state, nonprofits and other public and private organizations with efforts to boost FAFSA completion. Since the new 2024–25 FAFSA form became available on Dec. 30, more than 8.95 million forms have been successfully submitted.
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The Biden-Harris Administration has released new data on Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) approvals in every Congressional District, showcasing the significant progress made in providing relief to borrowers. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona highlighted the impact of this effort, stating, “As we honor our nation’s teachers, we also celebrate the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic work to help ease the burden of student loans for educators as well as for nurses, firefighters, and other public service workers in every single part of the country.”The data...
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Biden-Harris Administration Approves $6.1 Billion Student Loan Discharge for Art Institute BorrowersOn May 1, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the approval of a $6.1 billion group student loan discharge for 317,000 borrowers who attended The Art Institutes. This action brings the total approved debt cancellation under the Biden Administration to nearly $160 billion for almost 4.6 million borrowers.U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona expressed, "For more than a decade, hundreds of thousands of hopeful students borrowed billions to attend The Art Institutes and got little but lies in return. That ends today—thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration's...
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The U.S. Department of Education (Department) has announced the completion of reprocessing 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) forms affected by known issues with IRS data, allowing institutions to now package financial aid offers. Additionally, applicants and contributors without a Social Security number (SSN) can now access and submit the online form immediately.U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal expressed optimism about the progress made, stating, “It’s time for schools to package and send aid offers, and for all new and returning...
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U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona expressed gratitude for Richard Cordray's tenure as Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of Education office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), as Cordray prepares to step down at the end of June.Cardona commended Cordray's efforts, stating, “We are grateful for Rich Cordray’s three years of service, in which he accomplished more transformational changes to the student aid system than any of his predecessors." Cordona highlighted Cordray's achievements in fixing the broken student loan system, including programs like Public...
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The U.S. Department of Education has revealed the recipients of the 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees. A total of 41 schools, 10 districts, three postsecondary institutions, and one early learning center from across the nation have been recognized for their exceptional efforts in reducing environmental impact, improving health and wellness, and providing effective sustainability education.According to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, "This year’s U.S. Department of...
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has concluded a compliance review at the Redlands Unified School District in California, resulting in a resolution agreement to address violations of Title IX related to responses to sexual assault and harassment of students.According to Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon, the district failed to adequately address reported incidents of sexual assault by both employees and students. Lhamon stated, "The Redlands Unified School District failed to fulfill its Title IX obligations to...
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U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced at the U.S. Department of Education’s Attaining College Excellence and Equity Summit the launch of a new Postsecondary Student Success Recognition Program. The program aims to recognize institutions of higher education that support students in completing affordable credentials that prepare them for success. The public has been invited to submit suggestions to the Department regarding this new initiative within a 30-day period.The initiative is part of the Department’s Raise the Bar campaign, which strives to increase...
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Apr 23 2024U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced today that Mario Diaz Albarran, head custodian at Lincoln Elementary School in Palatine, Illinois, has been named the 2024 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) honoree. This prestigious award, established by Congress in 2019, aims to recognize the exceptional contributions of classified school employees to the quality of PreK-12 education in the United States.Secretary Cardona praised Diaz Albarran for his dedication and impact, stating, “I am thrilled to announce Mr. Mario Diaz Albarran as this...
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The U.S. Department of Education has taken a significant step towards advancing educational equity and opportunity by releasing the Final Rule under Title IX, which aims to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The regulations, effective on Aug 1, 2024, are designed to provide vital protections against sex discrimination in schools.U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized the importance of Title IX, stating, "For more than 50 years, Title IX has promised an equal opportunity to...
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The U.S. Department of Education (Department) has introduced a new avenue for incarcerated borrowers to exit default through loan consolidation, offering them a chance to enhance their credit and access better repayment options. This initiative allows borrowers with student loans prior to their incarceration to consolidate their loans and access income-driven repayment plans like the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized the importance of this step, stating, "Every person deserves the opportunity to become the best...
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In 2023, the American Library Association (ALA) documented a significant increase in the number of unique book titles targeted for censorship in public libraries and schools. The figure rose to 4,240 from 2,571 in 2022, marking a 65% spike and the highest number ever recorded by the ALA.
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The child care industry in the U.S. is grappling with a crisis characterized by an underpaid and undervalued workforce, coupled with a shortage of service providers leading to the emergence of "child care deserts." State governors have recognized this issue and many are initiating measures to address it, as per research conducted by the Center for American Progress (CAP).
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued a reminder to schools nationwide, urging them to be vigilant against discriminatory practices aimed at Muslim, Hindu, Palestinian and Arab students. This reminder was circulated in the form of a Dear Colleague Letter.
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The U.S. Department of Education has imposed a $14 million fine on a Christian-based university for its failure to disclose information pertinent to sexual assault survivors and crime. The department has stated that this is the most significant violation of the Clery Act, legislation mandating that institutions of higher education publicize issues related to public safety.