Student Defense

Learn more here: defendstudents.org/all/former-s...

The students say that GCE knowingly lied about tuition costs, hiding that most doctoral students would pay thousands more than advertised.

The stakes are high: From 2022–2024, GCU disbursed more Title IV Direct Loans than any other institution — over $1 billion annually.

Former Students File Motion for Class Certification In Case Against Grand Canyon Education — Student Defense FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT press@defendstudents.org 303-646-7816 Former Students File Motion for Class Certification In Case Against Grand Canyon Education R...

NEW: We just filed a Motion for Class Certification on behalf of former students in their case against Grand Canyon University’s affiliate, Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (GCE).

“What are they so afraid to share with Congress and the public?” asks Student Defense President Aaron Ament.

Read our letter here:

defendstudents.org/2026-ig-letter

Millions of borrowers are struggling to repay their loans. Hundreds of thousands of applications are stuck in backlogs. And accountability is disappearing when it’s needed most.

It’s no accident that this report, which is legally required to be released, is being hidden from the public at the same time the Trump Administration is dismantling the Department of Education.

NEW: Today, we sent a letter to Inspector General Mark Priebe calling for an investigation into the ED for failing to release the 2025 Annual Report for Federal Student Aid.

It’s no accident that this report, which is legally required to be released, is being hidden from the public at the same time the Trump Administration is dismantling the Department of Education.

Lawsuit Challenges the Department of Education Over New Public Service Loan Forgiveness Rule — Student Defense FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2025 Lawsuit Challenges the Department of Education Over New Public Service Loan Forgiveness Rule Washington, D.C. — Four non-profit public-interest organizati...

The Department of Education’s new PSLF rule also takes effect in July, which allows the administration to deny relief to public servants at organizations it disagrees with. We’re challenging this rule to ensure that PSLF cannot be used as a political weapon.

defendstudents.org/all/lawsuit-...

Lawsuit Challenges the Department of Education Over New Public Service Loan Forgiveness Rule — Student Defense FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2025 Lawsuit Challenges the Department of Education Over New Public Service Loan Forgiveness Rule Washington, D.C. — Four non-profit public-interest organizati...

As reported by @cnbc.com, there are over 83,000 public servants still waiting on PSLF relief.

www.cnbc.com/2026/02/09/p...

Guided by a ‘Mantra,’ This Student Is Reimagining Justice Through Data Science - McCourt School of Public Policy Tech & Public Policy Scholar Joya Wheatfall-Melvin (MS-DSPP’26) is using data to advance equity in criminal justice and education.

Check out how our SHAPE AI Advisory Board member Joya Wheatfall-Melvin is “translating lessons from criminal justice AI into recommendations for how universities should govern AI technologies, applying her data justice framework to higher education.”

mccourt.georgetown.edu/news/reimagi...

Lawsuit Challenges the Department of Education Over New Public Service Loan Forgiveness Rule — Student Defense FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2025 Lawsuit Challenges the Department of Education Over New Public Service Loan Forgiveness Rule Washington, D.C. — Four non-profit public-interest organizati...

PSLF is too important to be used as a political weapon. We will continue fighting in court to protect our public servants.

defendstudents.org/all/lawsuit-...

The new rule would allow the Department of Education to deny relief for public servants at nonprofits and organizations that the administration disagrees with—dangerous and sweeping power that Congress never authorized.

Trump Rule Gutting Student Loan Forgiveness For Public Servants Faces Big Test In Court The Trump administration’s efforts to limit student loan forgiveness under a popular federal program for public servants is facing a major new legal test this week

We’re fighting to block the Trump Administration’s unlawful Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) rule before it takes effect July 1.

www.forbes.com/sites/adammi...

RIP Education Dept.? Not quite. Trump struggles in bid to kill agency The White House is continuing its efforts to dismantle the Education Department, but Congress just fully funded it.

As reported by @usatoday.com, Congress has fully funded the Department of Education for FY 2026.

We continue to litigate on behalf of students and teachers, and working families to stop Trump’s efforts to dismantle ED!

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Lawsuit Challenges the Department of Education Over New Public Service Loan Forgiveness Rule — Student Defense FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2025 Lawsuit Challenges the Department of Education Over New Public Service Loan Forgiveness Rule Washington, D.C. — Four non-profit public-interest organizati...

3️⃣ In November, we filed a lawsuit over a new PSLF rule that would allow the government to deny relief to public servants at organizations that the administration disagrees with.

defendstudents.org/all/lawsuit-...

Lawsuit challenges USDA demand for food stamp data as some states prepare to comply The suit claims that efforts to get sensitive information about food aid recipients from states violates federal privacy laws.

2️⃣ In May, we sued the USDA for illegally demanding sensitive data on SNAP recipients from states.

www.npr.org/2025/05/22/n...

Teachers Unions Sue Trump Administration Over Push to Shut Education Dept.

1️⃣ In March, we challenged the Trump Administration for efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education on behalf of NEA, along with NAACP and AFSCME MD Council 3.

www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/u...

The Trump Administration Has Been Sued 600 Times. Track These Cases. Follow the lawsuits and rulings that are challenging President Trump's executive orders.

THREAD: The @nytimes.com is tracking the lawsuits filed against the Trump Administration, including those brought by Student Defense. Here’s what you need to know:

www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

ED Scraps Biden-Era Regulation for Corporate College Owners The regulation required the owners of private colleges to take on personal liability in order to maintain access to federal funds. Now it will be enforced on a case-by-case basis.

The requirement forced owners to “acknowledge their own skin in the game,” and dropping it is “sorely misguided,” says Zibel.

www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...

In a recent @insidehighered.com piece, Student Defense Chief Counsel @danzibel.bsky.social warns that ED’s rollback of liability rules for corporate college owners undermines protections for students and taxpayers.

ED Scraps Biden-Era Regulation for Corporate College Owners The regulation required the owners of private colleges to take on personal liability in order to maintain access to federal funds. Now it will be enforced on a case-by-case basis.

Student Defense Chief Counsel @danzibel.bsky.social spoke with @jessicablake.bsky.social : “Taking the blanket signature requirement away does nothing to protect students. It does nothing to protect the taxpayer interest.”

www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...

New reporting from @insidehighered.com looks at the Department of Education’s recent rollback of enforcement rules for corporate college owners.

Safeguarding Higher-Ed Through AI Practices & Ethics (SHAPE) AI Initiative — Student Defense Student Defense launched the SHAPE AI Initiative in September 2025 to provide strategic guidance, policy recommendations, and educational resources that promote ethical, responsible, student-friendly,...

This reporting from @insidehighered.com underscores why Student Defense launched the SHAPE AI (Safeguarding Higher-Ed Through AI Practices & Ethics) initiative to promote ethical practices in higher education.

defendstudents.org/all/safeguar...

Student Defense Statement on the Dept. of Education’s Rollback of Signature Guidance on Federal Student Aid Program Participation Agreements — Student Defense FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 21, 2025 MEDIA CONTACT press@defendstudents.org 303-646-7816 Student Defense Statement on the Dept. of Education’s Rollback of Signature Guidance on Federal Stud...

The Department of Education is backing away from enforcement rules that hold corporate owners of higher education institutions accountable for misuse of federal student aid.

The Department’s move is misguided, procedurally troubling, and will weaken protections for students and taxpayers.

Data Shows AI “Disconnect” in Higher Ed Workforce Most university employees are using AI, but many aren’t sure how their institution wants them to employ the tools or how they feel about them, according to a new report.

New data shows that while 94% of higher ed workers use AI, only 54% are aware of their institution’s AI policy. This raises serious concerns about transparency and responsible use on campuses.

This reporting from @insidehighered.com underscores why we launched SHAPE AI to promote ethical practices.

Lawsuit Challenges the Department of Education Over New Public Service Loan Forgiveness Rule — Student Defense FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2025 Lawsuit Challenges the Department of Education Over New Public Service Loan Forgiveness Rule Washington, D.C. — Four non-profit public-interest organizati...

We filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center, the American Immigration Council, The Door – A Center of Alternatives, Inc., and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in November to challenge this illegal overreach! defendstudents.org/all/lawsuit-...

1/2: The Department of Education’s new PSLF regulation goes into effect in July.

The new rules will allow the government to deny relief to public servants at organizations that the Trump administration disagrees with.

Federal student loans are changing. Here's what to expect in 2026 The SAVE Plan is ending and repayment options will change dramatically in the new year.

“The Trump administration and Congress are in the process of overhauling everything from how much Americans can borrow to how quickly they have to pay it back.”

@cory-turner.bsky.social’s reporting on the changes coming for federal student loan borrowers is a helpful resource for our community:

Impact Report — Student Defense

Happy 2026! We’re looking forward to another successful year fighting on behalf of students.

Our Impact Report lays out what we’ve accomplished and what’s ahead. Read it here:

defendstudents.org/impact-report