dotEDU

• Fixing FAFSA—Lessons From the Rollout

  In this episode of dotEDU, Sarah Spreitzer and Mushtaq Gunja give an update on the unprecedented workforce cuts at the Department of Education and share their concerns about the immediate and long-term implications for higher education.   After that, the hosts take a look back at the troubled rollout of the new FAFSA system. Jeremy Singer, president of the College Board, talks about his time at the Department of Education last year leading the FAFSA relaunch effort at Federal Student Aid. He shares firsthand insights into what went wrong, the challenges of managing a large-scale federal program, and the lessons learned from the rollout.  Send suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation on X or Bluesky or email [email protected]. Here are some of the links and references from this week’s episode: Education Department Lays Off Nearly Half of Staff Inside Higher Ed | March 11, 2025 Department of Education Investigating 60 Colleges and Universities Over Antisemitism Claims CNN | March 11, 2025 Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness The White House | March 7, 2025  White House Cancels $400 Million in Grants and Contracts to Columbia The New York Times (sub. req.) | March 7, 2025  Johns Hopkins Plans Staff Layoffs After $800 Million Grant Cuts The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | March 11, 2025 USDA Halts Millions in Funding for University of Maine System Portland Press Herald (sub. req.) | March 11, 2025 What Is the FAFSA Simplification Act? Federal Student Aid FAFSA Is Officially Out, and Everyone Is Cautiously Optimistic The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Nov. 21, 2024 Flawed FAFSA Rollout Leads to 11.6% Drop In Students Filling Out the College Financial Aid Form Chalkbeat Colorado | July 8, 2024 New Clearinghouse Data Shows Freshman Enrollment Has, in Fact, Increased Diverse: Issues In Higher Education | Jan. 23, 2025

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• dotEDU Live: More Policy Shifts, More Uncertainty for Colleges

  As colleges and universities face mounting federal scrutiny, dotEDU Live hosts Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the latest developments from the Department of Education, the White House, and Congress. They discuss the Education Department’s revised FAQ on DEI policies, newly confirmed Secretary Linda McMahon’s plans for the department, and the Trump administration’s increasing use of federal funding to pressure institutions. The conversation also covers ongoing research funding disruptions, the potential for a government shutdown, and heightened federal investigations into campus protests.  Send suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation on X or Bluesky or email [email protected]. Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:  Dear Colleague Letter SFFA v. Harvard  U.S. Department of Education | Feb. 14, 2025  ACE, Higher Education Groups Urge Department of Education to Rescind DEI "Dear Colleague" Letter  ACE | March 3, 2025  U.S. Department of Education Releases Frequently Asked Questions on Dear Colleague Letter About Racial Preferencing  U.S. Department of Education | March 1, 2025  Secretary McMahon: Our Department's Final Mission  U.S. Department of Education | March 3, 2025  Linda McMahon Confirmed as Education Secretary  Inside Higher Ed | March 3, 2025    Education Dept. Workers Offered Buyouts Ahead of ‘Very Significant’ Layoffs  The New York Times | Feb. 28, 2025  Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Cost Efficiency Initiative  The White House | Feb. 26, 2025  Trump Threatens to Pull Federal Funds for U.S. Schools Allowing ‘Illegal Protests”  The Guardian | March 4, 2025  ED, HHS, and GSA Announce Additional Measures to End Anti-Semitic Harassment on College Campuses  U.S. Department of Education | March 3, 2025 

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• dotEDU Live: The Future of Campus Diversity and Student Support

  The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has issued a sweeping directive declaring that race-conscious student programs, financial aid, and support services violate federal civil rights law—giving colleges just 14 days to comply. ACE President Ted Mitchell joins hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja to discuss the implications for campuses. The episode also covers recent developments, including funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health and Linda McMahon’s Senate confirmation hearing for Secretary of Education.  Note: For examples of grants that have been stopped, please send stories and concerns to ACE Government Relations.  Send suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation on X or Bluesky or email [email protected]. Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show: U.S. Department of Education Directs Schools to End Racial Preferences  U.S. Department of Education | Feb. 18, 2025  Senate Questions McMahon on the Future of the Education Department, DEI, and Student Aid in Confirmation Hearing  ACE | Feb. 14, 2025  Trump Taps Biden Critic Nicholas Kent as Under Secretary  Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 11, 2025  Higher Education Association Lawsuit Challenges NIH Action on F&A Reimbursement  ACE | Feb. 10, 2025 Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs Explainer Association of American Universities | YouTube  After Sweeping Anti-DEI Guidance, What Should Colleges Do?  Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 18, 2025  Post-SFFA v. Harvard & UNC Decision Resources: Admissions and Beyond ACE | Dec. 10, 2024  Higher Education Leaders Gather in Washington for ACEx2025  ACE | Feb. 14, 2025 

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• dotEDU Live: New Orders and New Challenges for Higher Education

  In this all-Q&A episode of dotEDU Live, hosts Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the latest policy shifts, legal battles, and administrative chaos facing colleges and universities in the Trump administration’s first weeks. From the fallout of the now-blocked federal spending freeze to the uncertain future of DEI funding and research grants, they answer audience questions on how agencies are interpreting new executive orders, the impact on funding, and whether the administration can really dismantle the Department of Education. Send suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected]. Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show: Higher Education & The Trump Transition  American Council on Education Trump Planning EO Directing Education Department to ‘Diminish Itself,’ Reports Say  Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 3, 2025 Republicans Praise Trump Plans To Dismantle Department of Education, but Others See a Contradiction The Boston Globe (sub. req.) | Feb. 5, 2025 Higher Ed Fights Back Against Trump’s DEI Order Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 5, 2025 Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism White House Executive Order |Jan. 29, 2025 U.S. Department of Education Probes Cases of Antisemitism at Five Universities  Department of Education | Feb. 3, 2025 HHS’ Civil Rights Office Acts Swiftly to Combat Anti-Semitism  Department of Health and Human Services | Feb. 3, 2025 Justice Department Announces Formation of Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism  Department of Justice | Feb. 3, 2025 Trump Orders Disrupt Academic Research Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 3, 2025

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• dotEDU Live: What the Trump Administration’s Funding Freeze Means for Higher Education

  NOTE: Both parts of this episode were recorded before the administration rescinded the order. The Trump administration’s sweeping pause on all federal grants set off a wave of confusion and concern across higher education. But just minutes before it was set to take effect, a federal judge blocked the order, putting the freeze on hold until at least next Monday. In this episode recorded Jan. 28, Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja provide important context on the rapidly evolving situation. Jon and Sarah are later joined by ACE President Ted Mitchell for a deeper conversation on what we know, what’s at stake, and what could come next for colleges, universities, and students nationwide.  Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected]. Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show: M-25-13 Temporary Pause to Review Agency Grant Loan and Other Financial Assistance Programs  Office of Management and Budget | Jan. 27, 2025  Instructions for Federal Financial Assistance Program Analysis in Support of M-25-13 Office of Management and Budget | Jan. 27, 2025  Office of Management and Budget Guidance Document on M-25-13 Office of Management and Budget | Jan. 27, 2025  Trump’s Executive Orders Shift Higher Education Landscape American Council on Education | Jan. 27, 2025  Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Federal Assistance Pause  American Council on Education | Jan. 28, 2025  Higher Ed Alarmed by Trump’s Plan to Freeze Federal Grants Inside Higher Ed | Jan. 28, 2025  Trump Spending Freeze Upends Washington, Triggering Legal Threats and Delays  The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Jan. 28, 2025  The Federal Funding Pause Does Not Apply to Student Loans and Pell Grants  The New York Times (sub. req.) | Jan. 28, 2025  States, Nonprofit Groups Pursue Lawsuits to Stop Grant Freeze Roll Call | Jan. 28, 2025  National Council of Nonprofits, American Public Health Association, Main Street Alliance, and Sage v. Office of Management and Budget    Does Trump Have the Power to Block Spending That Congress Has Authorized?  The New York Times (sub. req.) | Jan. 28, 2025  White House Tries to Clarify Trump Federal Spending Freeze as Confusion Spreads The Washington Post (sub. req.)  | Jan. 28, 2025  Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration Freeze on Federal Grants and Loans Associated Press | Jan. 28, 2025 

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