Agencies and Regulations
2025 FIPSE Grants Awarded: How Did Community Colleges Fare?
In November of 2025, the Department of Education opened a grant competition for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). Out of a total 72 grant recipients, 17 community colleges are 2025 FIPSE grant awardees. This piece offers a breakdown into how community colleges performed in this grant competition.
FIPSE Funding Under the Second Trump Administration
The Department of Education announced that it was opening up a FIPSE grant competition, with a quick deadline of December 3, 2025. The Trump administration reformatted this program from over 10 competitions normally scheduled throughout the year to meet four areas of national need that align with the administration’s postsecondary education agenda.
Dear Colleague Letter to Education Leaders Regarding DEI Programming from ED’s Office of Civil Rights
The news and reaction to a Dear Colleague Letter published late last week has spread quickly. This blog is a summary of the letter and suggested next steps (though these do not constitute legal advice).
What Federal Law Says About the Department of Ed’s Functions
Many of the agency’s offices and programs are codified in federal law, raising questions about how much McMahon can reduce the department without Congress.
McMahon Confirmed as ED Secretary; Announces “Final Mission”
Linda McMahon is confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Education and delivers speech on "final mission" for the Department of Education.
Department of Education’s February 14 Dear Colleague Letter on Title VI and Equal Protection: Overview, Open Issues, and Implications for Higher Education
Additional information from Saul Ewing, LLP's Insights Blog that breaks down OCR's Dear Colleague Letter and steps institutions can consider taking.
