High School Counselor Week

More teachers and students are using AI despite potential risks
Fast Company – March 23, 2026
AI is being introduced to K-12 classrooms faster than evidence and understanding can support. Policies and training have not kept pace, and students are also using AI for potentially dangerous uses. It is not yet clear how AI influences learning in K-12 settings or when and how it is best for teachers and students to use AI.

‘Unusually Steep’ Decline in U.S. University Autonomy, Index Shows
Higher Ed Dive – March 20, 2026
In the U.S., institutional autonomy has deteriorated 50 percent since 2015 and is now rated only “moderate” by country experts. The report says the decline in the U.S. began in 2020, driven mostly by state-level actions by officials aligned with the Make America Great Again movement. Federal actions included attempts to control how universities are accredited, tying funding to government demands and using research grants to influence admissions, hiring and governance.

Federal student loans will move to Treasury, further shrinking Education Department
NPR – March 19, 2026
The Trump administration announced Thursday a three-phase transition that will move significant management of and responsibility for the nation’s federal student loan portfolio from the U.S. Education Department to the U.S. Treasury Department. The third a phase would see Treasury take over key responsibilities beyond the handling of current loans, assuming administration of the FAFSA. The Treasury Department already plays an important role in the FAFSA, using its data-retrieval tool to expedite the once-onerous income-verification process for families.

Modelling self-care and well-being for students
Times Higher Education – March 20, 2026
We are living in a time where student mental health concerns are rising faster than many schools can respond to. Anxiety, perfectionism and pressure are all increasing. But if we want to support students in developing healthier habits, we have to start by looking at our own. We need to talk openly about rest, boundaries, hobbies and the pieces of our lives that have nothing to do with school. We need to show our students, and ourselves, that doing more is not the same as being better. And if we want the next generation to believe that enough really is enough, we have to model it first.

How Parents Can Prepare Their Kids for Student Loans
U.S. News & World Report – March 24, 2026
Poor planning and unforced errors can cause your student’s debt to become higher than it should. Here are some steps to take and mistakes to avoid.

Helping Your Child View Rejection as Redirection
U.S. News & World Report – March 19, 2026
Clinical psychologist Jill Leibowitz says parents’ college rejection anxiety can be contagious and harmful to their children.

Should I Wait On The Waitlist?
We-Ha.com (CT) – March 24, 2026
I know it can be excruciatingly disappointing to be turned down or waitlisted at your first choice school. If you have the emotional fortitude and the financial means to stay on the waitlist and choose to do that, I applaud your decision. But blooming where you’re planted can be a healthy and satisfying option as well.

When Is It Too Late To Apply for Rolling Admissions?
U.S. News & World Report – March 19, 2026
Schools with rolling admissions will accept applications until they fill their incoming class and typically have official deadlines that stretch out into the spring and even summer. But there are still advantages to applying sooner rather than later…

How to Find a High School Internship
U.S. News & World Report – March 18, 2026
Internships aren’t limited to college students or young professionals. Whie options are fewer, high school students also have the opportunity to develop professional skills and gain hands-on job experience before committing to a college major or career path. For high school students interested in pursuing an internship, here are four tips to help with the search process.

12 Advantages of Federal Student Loans
U.S. News & World Report – March 24, 2026
Not all terms and conditions for student loans are the same, and borrowers should consider the various types of loans available. Here are 12 benefits of taking out a federal student loan.

Why Is College So Expensive? 5 Forces Behind Rising Tuition Costs
The College Investor – March 23, 2026
The answer is complex – multiple factors have all come together to create this issue. Some come from inside the colleges themselves, some outside it. Collectively, they have created an environment where costs rise regardless of economic conditions. Here is what the data actually shows and why costs are not likely to fall.

Higher ed organizations press Congress to quickly fill Pell funding gaps
Higher Ed Dive – March 19, 2026
Over 60 higher education and advocacy organizations are calling on federal lawmakers to shore up funding for the Pell Grant program amid massive projected shortfalls and a new expansion of the grants.

The rise of dual enrollment in high school is changing what AP means
Los Angeles Times – March 24, 2026
As more high school students enroll in college classes, the meaning of “rigor” and academic excellence is shifting. Dual enrollment isn’t just replacing AP courses; it’s redefining what it means to be college-ready.