This Week In College And Money News: May 1, 2026

The student loan overhaul is now finalized. This week, the Education Department published its landmark rule implementing the new borrowing caps, repayment plan changes, and program eliminations that Congress passed last summer in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. With a July 1 effective date just two months away, the clock is now ticking for borrowers, families, and financial aid offices alike.

Beyond the loan changes, HBCUs made history by launching the first-ever national research coalition aimed at reaching the nation's highest research designation, a new $10,000 AI degree backed by Khan Academy and TED raised questions about the future of affordable higher education, and a federal court expanded protections for colleges fighting the administration's admissions data demands.

Here's a quick look at the most important stories shaping higher education and student finances this week for May 1, 2026.

🎓 Headlines at a Glance

• The Education Department finalizes landmark regulations implementin...