Higher Education

A bronze statue of a Trojan warrior stands on a stone pedestal in front of a brick university building, with ivy climbing up the walls and arched windows in the background.

Politics

Newsom threatens to cut USC funding if it complies with Trump demands

After the president sent a letter offering “substantial” federal grants if USC complies with conservative demands, Newsom threatened to withdraw lucrative state funding

By Jeanne Kuang • October 2, 2025

A person in glasses holds a dark blue sign that reads "KILL THE CUTS SAVE LIVES" in white and yellow letters during a protest. Other protesters holding similar signs and a blurred banner are visible in the background.

Higher Education

UCLA reclaims hundreds of research grants that Trump cut off over alleged antisemitism

A federal judge sided with UCLA in ordering the Trump administration to restore hundreds of health and science research grants. Even more funding is at stake going forward for UC campuses.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 30, 2025

A person stands at a podium in a classroom, speaking to students seated at desks with laptops. A projection screen is visible to the side, displaying presentation slides.

Education

California colleges lost millions in humanities purge. Their projects might not recover

Nineteen California campuses are still missing over $5.2 million in canceled humanities grants. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is issuing millions of dollars in new grants, many of which are in celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of America’s founding.

By Lylah Schmedel-Permanna • September 25, 2025

People walk by a building with a mural painted on it featuring gear wheels to depict mechanics.

Education

Does another education bond stand a chance with voters? California colleges hope so

Lawmakers are considering putting a bond measure before voters in 2026 to fund billions of dollars in building repairs and student housing projects for California’s colleges and universities.

By Mercy Sosa • September 24, 2025

Protesters hold signs during a demonstration, including one that reads “Kill the Cuts, Save Science” in bold white and yellow letters, and another that says “I’d rather be in lab but the NIH cut my funding.”

Education

Federal judge orders 500 health science grants at UCLA restored, rebuffing Trump’s suspensions

UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 22, 2025

Two people in a classroom-like setting, one sitting at a table working on a laptop with papers and books around, while the other stands nearby, looking upward with hands clasped.

Higher Education

California faces steepest cuts as Trump ends diversity grants. How one college is faring

As the U.S. Department of Education cuts back on grants to colleges and universities that serve Latino, Asian, Black and Native American students, California will lose millions — including money that will soon get sent to other institutions in swing states and states that voted for Trump in 2024.

By Adam Echelman • September 22, 2025

Groups of students walk through a plaza in front of a main building on the University Of California Los Angeles campus.

Higher Education

Billions of dollars in California research grants now hang in the balance at an obscure federal court

The Court of Federal Claims was a little-known court until the U.S. Supreme Court said that universities need to file suit there, and not in traditional district courts, to try to have their research grant funding restored. The Trump administration has terminated billions of dollars in science grants.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 19, 2025

The backs of two students are seen walking through a pathway lined with trees and palm trees at the San Diego State campus.

Higher Education

More California high school seniors applied for college financial aid this year than last

About 340,000 California students completed a financial aid application, up about 11% over last year.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 15, 2025

A U.S. Border Patrol officer in a green uniform and cap walks near vehicles at a border crossing, while a group of people, including children, stand in a line beside a white van. A tall border fence runs along the hill in the background.

Higher Education

Immigration agents signed up to recruit at a California university. Then the protests started

Social media swirled with rumors that ICE would be among the employers at the job fair, something the campus said is not true. Still, the campus postponed the event over concerns about Customs and Border Protection’s participation.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • August 28, 2025

A person stands indoors pointing to a section of a large academic poster titled “Expectation to Guarantee: Bounding Welfare in Randomized Auctions.” The poster contains mathematical formulas, graphs, and text. The individual wears a dark shirt and is explaining or presenting the material. In the background, a framed black-and-white photograph hangs on the wall above a white woven basket.

Higher Education

California invested millions pushing these careers for women. The results are disappointing

Women continue to lag behind men in certain science, technology, engineering and math programs.

By Adam Echelman • August 15, 2025