Current: Featured in education policy debates and administration changes shaping schools and student funding.
The Education Department has announced a two-year, temporary 1% reduction in interest rates for Direct Loans issued after July 2012, available to autopay borrowers through June 30, 2028. Eligible borrowers on autopay will see the discount automatically, with action required only for new enrollments by Sept. 30, 2026. The policy forms part of a broad overhaul of repayment plans under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Federal student‑loan regulations have changed this week under the One Big Beautiful Bill and court rulings. The Education Department has rolled out new repayment plans, temporary interest‑rate cuts for autopay enrollees, and lifetime borrowing caps for graduate and professional students, while a federal judge has paused the department's narrowed definition of "professional degree," temporarily preserving wider borrowing access for many advanced‑health and other programs. Notices are going out to millions of borrowers who must pick new plans.
The SAVE income-driven repayment plan has ended and servicers have begun notifying roughly 7–7.5 million borrowers that they have 90 days from their notice to choose a replacement. New Department of Education rules that took effect on July 1 have created a Repayment Assistance Plan and a Tiered Standard plan, tightened graduate and Parent PLUS borrowing caps, and added a temporary autopay interest discount.
Public universities across Africa are increasing tuition and operating costs. Malawi doubles undergraduate fees, KUHeS follows with higher charges. Officials promise access will remain for disadvantaged students, but critics warn of affordability gaps and strained loan systems.
Defaults among federal student loan borrowers have surged after the pause ended, with around 9.5 million in default and more facing higher payments as the government ends the SAVE plan. The government has shifted repayment options and tightened relief, raising concerns about financial strain.
State governments are expanding loan offerings as federal student-loan limits tighten. Rates vary by state and program, with debate over whether these are close substitutes for federal loans. Advocates warn borrowers should weigh trade-offs and risks before assuming equivalence.
New Yorkers will see five city-owned grocery stores offering a 30% discount on a core basket of goods, funded by a $70 million capital budget and run by private operators. Officials say no ID will be required to shop, but questions about logistics, subsidies, and price stability have sparked a wave of scrutiny from critics.
Australians are continuing to work past traditional retirement ages, with insights turning to those who work by choice and those who must work for financial security. The SBS series examines how people adapt, from interpreters to teachers’ aides, while government and economic factors shape retirement trends.
The US Justice Department has found that Duke University School of Law used proxies for race in admissions, citing a probe that suggests Black or Hispanic applicants have a higher likelihood of admission than white or Asian applicants with the same credentials. The department seeks a voluntary settlement while Duke reviews the findings.
A cluster of reports shows rising debt strain in mid-2026: credit card balances have reached $1.26 trillion with 12.8% of balances past due; student loan delinquencies are stabilizing yet defaults remain high as the SAVE plan ends and litigation continues. Autopay incentives have been expanded temporarily to encourage on-time payments.
Across the UK, governments are consulting on banning mobile phones in schools to reduce disruption and address wellbeing concerns. Reports from The Guardian, The Scotsman, BBC Business and The Scotsman show varied approaches, from outright bans to nuanced policies allowing learning-related use. Proposals emphasize safer classrooms, with pilots and consultations underway ahead of potential legislation in multiple regions.
A group of parents has coordinated a last-minute, week-long childcare plan by sharing calendars, space, and activities. The effort transformed a childcare gap into a collaborative, kid-led week of play, reinforcing community bonds and mutual aid.
The Guardian reports ministers are pursuing an inclusion-led overhaul of SEND in England, with funding and universal support in mainstream schools, while EHCPs may be streamlined by 2030. A Colchester school is cited as a blueprint for broader reform, amid a surge in EHCP applications and funding pressures for local authorities.
The OECD has released 2025 PISA results showing a global drop in reading, math, and science scores among 15-year-olds, with the United States experiencing a widening gap between low and high performers. The data link increased AI and social media use with weaker performance, while a minority of countries buck the trend.
The Department of Justice and Education Department have opened a joint investigation into the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, alleging that the admissions process discriminates on race and uses essay prompts to group applicants by identity. Berkeley says it complies with Prop. 209 and federal law, and will provide evidence of compliance. The probe follows a Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions and may impact future diversity policies in higher education.
Education Minister Paul Givan has revised guidelines so girls can wear trousers in school uniforms from 2027/28. The change, backed by campaigners, will be legally binding under a new act and aims to reduce costs and improve practicality, with a phased start to allow policy updates.
The federal tax-credit scholarship program is expanding scrutiny and renewed political clash as New York considers opting in. Governors and unions frame the move as school choice versus public funding, while proponents say the program expands opportunity without diverting public dollars.
Gunfire erupts at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, Mindanao. The incident has left multiple students dead and wounded; authorities are investigating and reviewing gun ownership safety amid rising school violence in the Philippines.