https://the6thestate.net/a7 The stories under the headlines. en-us Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:58:18 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/education-department-unveils-earnings-based-accountability-system-for-postsecond-2026-07-13.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/education-department-unveils-earnings-based-accountability-system-for-postsecond-2026-07-13.html The U.S. Department of Education has released final regulations establishing the Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS), a new accountability framework for postsecondary institutions. The system will track the debt-to-earnings ratios of graduates, with schools that consi Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/clemson-trustees-name-benjamin-c-ayers-as-next-university-president-2026-07-13.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/clemson-trustees-name-benjamin-c-ayers-as-next-university-president-2026-07-13.html The Clemson University Board of Trustees has selected Benjamin C. Ayers, the current provost at the University of Georgia, as the institution's next president. Ayers, who has a background in accounting and significant experience in university administration, was chosen after a na Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/graduate-student-loan-limits-and-program-sunset-take-effect-under-working-famili-2026-07-10.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/graduate-student-loan-limits-and-program-sunset-take-effect-under-working-famili-2026-07-10.html The elimination of the Grad PLUS program forces a new era of tuition accountability in higher education. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/major-universities-reinstate-standardized-testing-requirements-amid-concerns-ove-2026-07-10.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/major-universities-reinstate-standardized-testing-requirements-amid-concerns-ove-2026-07-10.html Elite colleges return to merit-based admissions as grade inflation reaches record highs. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/federal-court-blocks-trump-administration-caps-on-graduate-student-loans-2026-07-09.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/federal-court-blocks-trump-administration-caps-on-graduate-student-loans-2026-07-09.html A federal judge in Washington D.C. has issued a temporary injunction against a new Department of Education rule that would have placed strict annual and aggregate caps on federal student loans for graduate and professional students. The policy, a centerpiece of the Working Famili Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/universities-begin-phasing-out-supplemental-essays-to-reduce-admission-barriers-2026-07-09.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/universities-begin-phasing-out-supplemental-essays-to-reduce-admission-barriers-2026-07-09.html A growing number of elite institutions are opting to drop supplemental essays from their 2026–27 application cycles, citing their limited utility in predicting student success and their role in creating barriers for under-resourced applicants. Admissions administrators at several Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/federal-court-blocks-trump-administration-caps-on-graduate-student-loans-2026-07-09.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/federal-court-blocks-trump-administration-caps-on-graduate-student-loans-2026-07-09.html A federal judge in Washington D.C. has issued a temporary injunction against a new Department of Education rule that would have placed strict annual and aggregate caps on federal student loans for graduate and professional students. The policy, a centerpiece of the Working Famili Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/universities-begin-phasing-out-supplemental-essays-to-reduce-admission-barriers-2026-07-09.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/universities-begin-phasing-out-supplemental-essays-to-reduce-admission-barriers-2026-07-09.html A growing number of elite institutions are opting to drop supplemental essays from their 2026–27 application cycles, citing their limited utility in predicting student success and their role in creating barriers for under-resourced applicants. Admissions administrators at several Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/federal-judge-temporarily-blocks-new-caps-on-graduate-student-loans-2026-07-09.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/federal-judge-temporarily-blocks-new-caps-on-graduate-student-loans-2026-07-09.html U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell has issued a temporary freeze on new Trump administration rules that limit federal borrowing for certain graduate school programs. The policy, which was set to take effect on July 1, 2026, sought to cap annual borrowing at $20,500 for most graduat Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/department-of-education-hosts-inaugural-higher-education-fraud-summit-2026-07-09.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/department-of-education-hosts-inaugural-higher-education-fraud-summit-2026-07-09.html Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent led the first-of-its-kind Higher Education Fraud Summit this week, focusing on increasing accountability for low-earning programs. The summit concluded with the announcement of the Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS), a new f Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/the-pitt-and-hacks-lead-2026-emmy-nominations-amid-diversity-concerns-2026-07-09.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/the-pitt-and-hacks-lead-2026-emmy-nominations-amid-diversity-concerns-2026-07-09.html The 2026 Emmy Award nominations were announced Wednesday, with 'The Pitt' and 'Hacks' emerging as the clear frontrunners. However, early analysis shows a 39% decline in the diversity of acting nominees compared to previous years, sparking criticism from industry advocates. In the Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/chowberry-app-and-sustainable-travel-initiatives-tackle-global-hunger-and-equity-2026-07-09.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/chowberry-app-and-sustainable-travel-initiatives-tackle-global-hunger-and-equity-2026-07-09.html Innovative social enterprises are making strides in community welfare this week. In Nigeria, the Chowberry app—created by Oscar Ekponimo—is helping local charities purchase near-expired food from retailers at a deep discount, preventing waste while feeding the hungry. In the Unit Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/homicide-investigation-launched-into-deaths-of-rob-and-michele-reiner-2026-07-08.html https://the6thestate.net/stories/a7/homicide-investigation-launched-into-deaths-of-rob-and-michele-reiner-2026-07-08.html Authorities are investigating the deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner as a double homicide. Their son, Nick Reiner, is in custody and expected to be charged. The news has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000