Travel Bans, FAFSA Momentum, and the Next Accreditation Battle

Feds expand travel bans and restrictions to 39 countries

A presidential proclamation expanded travel bans and partial restrictions to cover 39 countries, with impacts that include limits on F and J visas commonly used by international students, scholars, and researchers. Nigeria is a major source country for international students and reports that individuals in Nigeria will be unable to receive student visas beginning January 1. Higher ed organizations warned the expansion could further constrict international enrollment and weaken U.S. competitiveness. Institutions may see ripple effects in enrollment planning, graduate education, and research staffing.

Key Takeaway: International enrollment and global talent pipelines may face immediate disruption, so campuses should review recruitment, admits, and scholar support plans now.

5 Million FAFSAs filed so far 

The U.S. Department of Education reported receiving 5 million FAFSA applications as of mid-December, compared with roughly 2 million at the same time last year. The article frames the increase as a contrast to the prior year’s troubled rollout and resulting strain on students and financial aid offices. For institutions, higher early volume can mean earlier packaging decisions and different counseling demand patterns. It also signals that students may be regaining confidence in the process after disruption.

Quick Insight: FAFSA volume is rebounding fast, so aid offices should prepare for higher early-cycle workflow and student advising needs.

‘Buckle Up’: Federal Administration Pledges to Fix Accreditation

Inside Higher Ed reports that the first NACIQI meeting with Trump appointees featured sharp rhetoric about accreditors and questions related to DEI. The headline signals an aggressive posture toward accreditation oversight and potential changes in expectations or enforcement. Even without new rules yet, the political climate alone can drive institutional risk management behavior. Colleges may need to track accreditation policy signals closely because the downstream effects touch eligibility, compliance, and public trust.

Key Insight: Accreditation may become a hotter political lever in 2026, so leaders should monitor NACIQI signals and stress-test compliance narratives.

Lawmakers say advanced nursing should count as a “professional degree” 

Lawmakers urged the Education Department to classify graduate nursing degrees as professional degrees, warning that proposed regulatory language could lower borrowing limits for nursing students. The article contrasts a potential $100,000 loan cap for nursing as a graduate degree with a higher $200,000 cap for professional programs. Lawmakers argued a lower cap could worsen the health care workforce shortage by reducing the student pipeline into advanced nursing. This is both a student access issue and a workforce alignment issue.

Takeaway: Graduate program finance rules can reshape workforce pipelines, and nursing may become a flashpoint for loan policy debates.

Published: December 19, 2025