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Major changes to US student loan programs are underway in 2026, including new repayment plans, borrowing caps, and the phase-out of existing programs like SAVE and PSLF. Wages may be garnished for defaulted loans, affecting millions amid ongoing legal and policy shifts, with significant implications for borrowers and policymakers.
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UC Davis suspended professor Jemma DeCristo after a social media post perceived as threatening, which she claimed was satire. Meanwhile, UK authorities revoked scholar Shadee Elmasry’s travel authorization over controversial Gaza comments. Both incidents highlight tensions around free speech, antisemitism, and political activism amid ongoing conflicts.
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Federal courts have struck down efforts by the Trump administration to withhold education funding over diversity and equity programs. The judge ruled these policies violated free speech and procedural rules, marking a significant legal victory for education groups and opponents of anti-DEI measures. The administration has withdrawn its appeal.
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Yale University announced a new policy increasing income thresholds for free tuition, effective this fall. The move aims to widen access for middle- and low-income students, aligning with similar initiatives at Harvard, Princeton, and MIT, amid ongoing debates on socioeconomic diversity in elite colleges.
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A San Diego court has ordered Rady Children’s Hospital to continue providing gender-affirming treatments to minors until at least March 10, amid a legal dispute with California’s Attorney General. The hospital had announced it would cease such care, citing federal threats, but the judge emphasized the immediate harm to patients and the lack of an imminent funding threat.
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The California Supreme Court temporarily blocks laws requiring parental notification of students' gender identity, siding with religious parents and educators. The ruling reinstates a lower court order, citing potential violations of religious freedoms and privacy rights, amid ongoing legal challenges and political debates over transgender student policies.