Policy Watch

News by Topic

Education Policy Updates

U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice Announce Title IX Special Investigations Team
U.S. Department of Education Opens Revised Income-Driven Repayment Plan and Loan Consolidation Applications for Borrowers.
AACN signed on to a response to a Request for Information for the Trump Administration's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan relating to the use of AI across the higher education landscape.
U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened investigations into 45 universities following the February 14 Dear Colleague Letter that reiterated schools’ civil rights obligations to end the use of racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities.
U.S. Department of Education Issues More Details About DEI Guidance, including a New FAQs.
Linda McMahon was confirmed as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Research & Funding

Colleges with DEI Programs or Israel Boycotts will no longer eligible for NIH grants.
On April 25, AACN signed on to a coalition letter urging Congress to reject the proposed budget cuts across HHS and ensure that essential programs protecting American’s health remain adequately funded.
On April 22, AACN joined with leading colleges, universities, and scholarly societies calling for constructive engagement with governing institutions and agencies to better serve the American people while rejecting undue government intrusion and the coercive use of public research funding.
AACN Action Alert: Ask your federal lawmakers to support Title VIII funding by signing Dear Colleague letters.
Help AACN amplify the importance of Title VIII and NINR by sharing your individual experiences, insights, and stories via this survey.
From Insider Higher Ed: How Researchers Could Get Their Canceled NIH Grants Back
A federal judge issued an order temporarily blocking the 15% cap on research funding from NIH.
AACN Signs on to Legal Challenge to New NIH Funding Guidance
AACN Statement on New NIH Guidance Limiting Indirect Costs for Research Grants

Student Loan & Financial Aid Changes

Department of Education to resume federal student loan collections, starting May 5.
The 2025 Nurse Corps Scholarship application cycle closes on Thursday, April 24, 7:30 pm (ET).
The Small Business Administration, the agency newly responsible for overseeing student loans, announced a 43% reduction in force.
HHS has published a list of grants terminated since January 2025, including information of recipient institutions, projects funded, and award totals.
An Executive Order creates new eligibility limitations for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Legislative Developments

On April 17, AACN joined with other nursing associations in urging Congress to support Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs.
Congress passed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, funding the government through the end of FY2025 and avoiding a government shutdown.
House Republicans released a proposed continuing resolution to fund the government through September 30.

Executive Changes

Secretary Kennedy published an editorial defending the large-scale reduction in force at HHS.
Senate confirms Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
President Trump to nominate Dr. Susan Monarez to be CDC Director.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer was sworn in as the US Secretary of Labor.

Workforce Support

The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program is accepting applications through April 17. The program provides funds to Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses working in an eligible public or private critical shortage facility, or nurse faculty at an eligible school of nursing.
The 2025 Nurse Corps Scholarship application cycle is now open through April 24.