High School Counselor Week
Weekly stories, facts, trends, and other information from around the country
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January 8, 2026
The Biggest Developments in Higher Education Policy in 2025
U.S. News & World Report – January 2, 2026
Higher education saw unprecedented policy changes in the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term in office. From the dismantling of the Education Department to the billions of federal dollars withheld from hundreds of institutions, including the nation’s most prestigious, 2025 was a whirlwind for the thousands of colleges and universities in the U.S. Here’s a look at some of the major changes in higher education policy this past year.
Cancellation of mental health grants ruled unlawful
K-12 Dive – December 22, 2025
A federal judge required the Education Department to reinstate the grants in 16 states and barred the agency from issuing new priorities for the programs. The permanent injunction prevents the Education Department from issuing new priorities or irrelevant information to judge the mental health grant applications. Additionally, the court said it will oversee compliance with the order.
What do college-bound students think of DEI efforts?
Higher Ed Dive – December 19, 2025
The majority of college-bound high school seniors — 80% — either strongly or somewhat want to attend a college that “supports students of all races and ethnicities,” according to a recent poll that examines student views and beliefs concerning diversity, equity and inclusion policies and programming in higher education. And nearly two-thirds of students, 61%, expressed at least some concerns about threats to DEI efforts on campus. Meanwhile, the poll found that 44% of students believe colleges can consider race in admissions, even though the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the practice in 2023.
Rural schools hit by Trump’s grant cuts have few options for making up for the lost money
AP News – December 18, 2025
Federal dollars make up roughly 10% of education spending nationally, but the percentage is significantly higher in rural districts, which are not able to raise as much money on property taxes. Millions of dollars for programs supporting mental health, academic enrichment and teacher development have been withheld or discontinued.
College Counseling Should Be Taught in Grad SchoolPost – January 7, 2026
Counselors’ Corner with Patrick O’Connor, Ph.D.
Early Decision (ED) 1 notifications released… the aftermath and what’s next?Post – December 17, 2025
College Advice & Timely Tips with Lee Bierer
Feeling emotionally overwhelmed? The answer’s CLEAR
Times Higher Education – January 5, 2026
Carrying our students’ emotions home with us can lead to exhaustion and burnout – but this technique can help protect our emotional well-being.
How guidance, college counselors can use AI tools
SmartBrief – December 19, 2026
With an average workload of 385 students, it can be challenging to provide personalized guidance to each student. AI tools can help counselors stay on top of their workloads and focus on what the students need for the daunting college application process. Two directors of college counseling share their experiences and recommendations, while also offering a word of caution regarding use of AI by students in the college application process.
How To Become A “Trusted Adult” For Teens
Teen Health Today – January 7, 2026
Ask American adults about the drug prevention messages they heard growing up, and you’ll probably hear a lot about frying egg commercials, the “Just Say No” campaign, and the D.A.R.E. program. These initiatives began to lose credibility as research revealed they didn’t reduce drug use—and in some cases, may have had the opposite effect. Does that mean that we should give up on talking to teens about substance use? No, it means we need better messages. Here are four contemporary resources you can turn to for practical, up-to-date information and support.
Key Life Skills For Incoming College Freshman
The College Investor – January 6, 2026
Many students arrive on campus without experience managing their time, money, or mental health. Life outside the classroom (budgeting, grocery shopping, cleaning, and dealing with roommates) can be just as challenging as academics.These 20 life skills can help students stay healthy, organized, and better equipped to make it through the first year.
How a school program from Baltimore is using hip-hop to teach social-emotional skills
PBS News – December 21, 2025
Nationwide, schools are looking for better ways to connect with students and support their emotional well-being. A Baltimore-based organization called “We Do It 4 the Culture” is using hip-hop and storytelling to help students learn empathy and express themselves. Ali Rogin speaks with founder Jamila Sams to learn more.
Survey Reveals Major Gaps in HBCU Exposure Among High School Students
The EDU Ledger – January 5, 2026
Despite widespread teacher knowledge of historically Black colleges and universities, most high school students remain unfamiliar with HBCUs and rarely receive counselor guidance about attending them, according to a new study released by the United Negro College Fund, (UNCF).
Rural Students Graduate HS More Than City Peers, but Attend College Less
The 74 – December 28, 2025
Research suggests that rural students finish or complete high school at a higher rate than urban students. While approximately 90% of rural high school students graduated in 2020, 82% of urban high school students got their diplomas that year. But rural students’ college entrance rate is lower than that of urban and suburban students. Students today can learn about schools online, but there is still the issue that universities are not, on their own, connecting enough with rural students.
Are Private Student Loans Worth It In 2026? Comparing Rates, Risks, and Rewards
The College Investor – January 3, 2026
Federal student loans still offer stronger protections, but changes to repayment programs, especially for parents, changes the dynamic. Private student loans can offer lower rates for creditworthy borrowers or those with a strong co-signer. Families should weigh costs, repayment flexibility, and forgiveness options before choosing a loan
5 Major Student Loan Changes Coming in 2026
The College Investor – January 2, 2026
Beginning in 2026, new laws will change how much students and parents can borrow and how those student loans are repaid. The changes are significant, especially for graduate students, professional programs, and families that rely on Parent PLUS loans to close college funding gaps.
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Can Teaching Self-Compassion Improve Teen Mental Health?
Greater Good Magazine – January 6, 2026
Suicide. It’s not something we like to talk about—yet it’s a painful reality in our world today. Clearly, there’s much work still to be done to address the unacceptable reality that our youth are deeply in pain. According to new research I conducted with colleagues, practicing self-compassion could be a promising source of strength and support. Funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, my colleagues and I recently enrolled transgender teens who experienced suicidal ideation in an eight-session self-compassion course, called Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens (MSC-T). Through learning these practices across the study, teens decreased in suicidal ideation from before to after taking MSC-T, and their thoughts about suicide continued to decrease…
Rise of deepfake cyberbullying poses a growing problem for schools
PBS News – January 2, 2026
Schools are facing a growing problem of students using artificial intelligence to transform innocent images of classmates into sexually explicit deepfakes. The fallout from the spread of the manipulated photos and videos can create a nightmare for the victims. The scope of the problem is staggering. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said the number of AI-generated child sexual abuse images reported to its cyber tipline soared from 4,700 in 2023 to 440,000 in just the first six months of 2025. Trauma from AI deepfakes can be particularly harmful, and experts fear schools aren’t doing enough to address the problem.
Why Your College’s Location Matters More Than You Think For Career Outcomes
Forbes – January 6, 2026
Although companies are largely returning to in-person or hybrid models, many are disinclined to offer relocation packages for entry-level jobs, where turnover is high and onboarding comes with significant costs. Hiring locally not only allows recruiters to develop relationships with educational institutions in their region, but also reduces the costs associated with hiring across vast geography
Community colleges are training the next generation of manufacturing workers
Higher Ed Dive – December 22, 2025
The manufacturing industry has long bemoaned the decline of its workforce. Yet today’s manufacturing educational pathways look much like they did in the ’80s, when hiring numbers began declining. Apprenticeship programs remain scarce, with just 678,000 apprentices registered nationwide (in comparison, Germany’s labor force is less than a third of the U.S.’s yet maintains 1.22 million apprentices). And students believe that trade schools are costly and offer limited networking opportunities. One underrated option may hold the most promise for workforce growth: the local community college.