dotEDU Live: The Big Beautiful Bill Has Passed. What’s Next?

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Aired July 10, 2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill is now law, and colleges are facing a wave of new policies with real consequences for students and campuses. Mushtaq Gunja, Jon Fansmith, and Sarah Spreitzer break down what’s coming for student loans, Pell Grants, accountability rules, endowment taxes, and more. Plus, a quick look at what’s ahead for FY 2026 federal funding and accreditation.


Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

Reconciliation

Reconciliation Bill Narrowly Passes Congress 
ACE | July 3, 2025

Summary: One Big Beautiful Bill Act
ACE | July 10, 2025

Trump Signed the ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ What’s Next?
Inside Higher Ed | July 10, 2025
Contains a list of deadlines

What the Republicans’ New Policy Bill Means for Higher Education
The New York Times (sub. req.) | July 3, 2025

8 Million Federal Student Loan Borrowers Will Soon See Interest Restart
The New York Times | July 9, 2025

Senate GOP Plots How to Move Trump’s $9.4b Clawbacks Request
Politico | July 8, 2025

Carnegie Classifications

College Scorecard

Appropriations

White House FY 2026 Budget Proposal Targets Education, Science, and Civil Rights Funding 
ACE | May 9, 2025

A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Education
Senate Appropriations Committee | June 3, 2025

Accreditation

Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education
White House | April 23, 2025

Education Department Postpones NACIQI Summer Meeting
Inside Higher Ed | July 8, 2025

6 States Partner to Launch New Accreditor
Inside Higher Ed | June 26, 2025

U.S. Department of Education Expands Accreditation Options for Colleges and Universities
Departmenf of Education | May 1, 2025

Trump administration threatens Harvard's accreditation, seeks records on foreign students
Reuters | July 9, 2025

Transcript

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About the Podcast

​Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

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