Donald Trump assumes office on January 20, 2025. On his first day, the administration rescinds prior Department of Education (DOE) guidance that supported diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and transgender-inclusive policies in education. This leads to immediate pauses in over $10 billion in funding for both K-12 and higher education programs, with portions of these funds being redirected toward institutions like historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), including nearly $500 million reallocated by September 2025. These actions are part of a broader effort to align federal education funding with the administration's priorities on meritocracy and nondiscrimination.

Executive Order 14190, issued on January 29, 2025, sets the foundational stage for broader higher education reforms under the Trump administration. While specific details are somewhat limited in public sources, it appears to establish mechanisms for funding reallocations, enhanced oversight of federal education programs, and preliminary steps toward restructuring accreditation and accountability processes in universities and colleges.

In March 2025, President Trump issues an executive order requiring increased transparency and disclosure of foreign funding sources to universities and colleges. This measure addresses concerns over undue foreign influence on American higher education, mandating detailed reporting to federal agencies and potentially affecting international partnerships, research grants, and institutional funding from abroad.

Executive Order 14279, signed on April 23, 2025, criticizes existing accreditors for failing to uphold rigorous standards and mandates comprehensive reforms to the accreditation process for universities and colleges. It requires the Secretary of Education to coordinate with other agencies to ensure accreditors prioritize merit, transparency, and accountability. This could significantly affect institutional eligibility for federal student aid, addressing what the administration calls inefficiencies and biases in higher education oversight.

On July 18, 2025, the Department of Education announces the implementation of higher education provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This directs the immediate enforcement of legislative changes, including reforms to student aid distribution, accreditation standards, and institutional accountability measures, further embedding the administration's priorities into federal higher education policy.

The Presidential Memorandum issued on August 7, 2025, requires colleges and universities to demonstrate full compliance with nondiscrimination laws in their admissions processes, including proving they do not consider race or other protected characteristics in unlawful ways. Following the Supreme Court's affirmative action rulings, it intensifies federal scrutiny through potential audits or funding cuts for non-compliant institutions. The memorandum also encourages collaboration with athletic organizations to align policies with Title IX and other equity standards, promoting merit-based opportunities.

Throughout January to September 2025, the administration has frozen billions in research and discretionary grants to higher education, redirecting funds to align with priorities like merit-based systems and support for HBCUs (nearly $500 million by September). Significant staffing cuts at the DOE itself have streamlined operations but drawn criticism. Overall, President Trump has signed over 200 executive orders by early September, many affecting federal funding and institutional policies. These actions, drawing from Project 2025 recommendations, have sparked intense debates on academic freedom, equity, and the potential to make higher education more expensive and restrictive for certain students, while supporters view them as restoring meritocracy. Ongoing litigation and negotiations with universities like Princeton continue to shape compliance efforts.