Tuition

Justice Department Challenges Illinois’ Tuition Benefits for Undocumented Students, Citing Federal Law Violations

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The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Illinois laws that grant in-state tuition and scholarships to undocumented immigrant students. DOJ officials argue that these laws unjustly discriminate against U.S. citizens, who are not eligible for the same financial benefits, claiming such practices conflict with federal regulations. On September 2, the complaint was lodged in the Southern District of Illinois against the state, including Governor J.B. Pritzker, the state attorney general, and various university trustees. At the core of the complaint is the assertion that Illinois’ policy of extending in-state … Read more

Major Colleges Accused in $685 Million Lawsuit for Alleged Tuition Price-Fixing Scheme

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A recent lawsuit alleges that a consortium of prestigious U.S. colleges and universities engaged in a price-fixing scheme that led to students being overcharged by approximately $685 million. Filed in a Chicago federal court, the complaint accuses 16 prominent institutions of limiting financial aid through an unfair collaboration, potentially violating antitrust laws designed to protect competition and prevent monopolistic behaviors. The universities named include Yale, Georgetown, Columbia, and Northwestern among others. Collectively, these schools have historically prided themselves on offering need-blind admissions, which means that a student’s financial situation is not considered when deciding admission. … Read more

Lawsuit Claims Columbia Part of Scheme to Boost Tuition for Students from Split Homes

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New York — Columbia University has been implicated in a lawsuit that claims the Ivy League school was part of a group of prestigious universities that colluded to manipulate financial aid practices, thereby raising educational costs for students from divorced families. The legal action, initiated by several students, argues that these universities coordinated to alter the amount of financial aid offered, in contravention of fair competition laws. The lawsuit was filed in a federal district court and suggests that this collusion impacted over 170,000 students negatively, who come from backgrounds where parents are divorced, separated, … Read more

Hartwick College Announces Major Tuition Cut for 2025-26 to Enhance Transparency and Affordability

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Oneonta, NY – Starting in the 2025-26 academic year, Hartwick College announced a significant reduction in its listed tuition and fees, aimed at bringing greater transparency and affordability to the college admissions process. This private nonprofit institution in New York, previously projected to set tuition and fees at $59,359, will implement a bold strategy to make higher education more accessible. The decision mirrors a growing trend among colleges to simplify the often opaque pricing structures that can deter prospective students. By lowering the cost, Hartwick College intends to reduce the financial uncertainty that families face … Read more