The Department of Education administers national education policy, funding schools, and shaping student access and outcomes.
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.
Tanzania has unveiled its 2026/27 budget and national development plan, highlighting 38 flagship projects across seven transformational programs. The plan aims to push inclusive growth, with private sector investment and human capital development at the fore. Infrastructure, irrigation, energy, and digital transformation feature prominently, while costs for the year are set against a challenging fiscal backdrop.
Indiana has been granted a waiver to consolidate $50 million in federal education funding into a single pool with fewer restrictions, enabling the state to weight accountability differently and pursue limited school-choice adjustments. The move mirrors similar waivers in Iowa and Louisiana and aims to cut compliance costs while expanding state control. Critics warn it could reduce transparency and shift funds away from vulnerable students.
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.