Trump Administration's $2.2 Billion Freeze on Harvard Grants Amid Higher Ed Intervention Efforts
Published on 4.17.25
The Trump administration's actions have had significant implications for the education sector in the United States. A recent development has seen the Department of Education freeze $2.2 billion in multi-year grants to Harvard University, following a dispute over government demands that the institution agree to surrender its independence and constitutional rights.
This move is part of a broader trend of increased government intervention in higher education. The Department of Education has also made changes to student loan repayment plans, amending a court declaration to clarify that spousal income will not affect payments for married borrowers filing separate tax returns or those who are separated from their spouses. This change is expected to benefit some borrowers by allowing them to see lower monthly payments under income-driven repayment plans.
The decision follows a lawsuit filed in March against the Department of Education, which sought to reopen access to income-driven repayment systems that had previously been taken down. The move is seen as a response to growing concerns over student debt and the need for more flexible repayment options.