Students and parents are facing rising college costs, legal uncertainty, and new signals from the federal government — all at the same time. New graduation rate numbers, a credit warning for higher education, questions about artificial intelligence in admissions, and the launch of Trump’s accounts all point to a changing environment for students and families.
Here’s a quick look at the most important developments shaping higher education and student finance this week on December 5, 2025.
🎓 Top headlines at a glance
- The six-year college completion rate remains steady at 61.1%.
- Nonprofit colleges face a bleak 2026 credit outlook from S&P Global Ratings.
- Colleges are discussing how to handle AI-written admissions essays as students increasingly turn to AI tools.
- Trump accounts are launching with a $1,000 bonus for kids and new details on how to claim it.
1. Six-year graduation rate up to 61.1%
New data from National Center for Student Research Exchange It shows that the six-year graduation rate for students who entered college in 2019 remained steady at 61.1%almost unchanged from the previous year.
Full-time students continued to outperform part-time students, with a completion rate of 67.1% compared to 34.1% among part-time learners. Dual enrollment students had the strongest results, completing at a rate above 70%.
This reinforces our previous reports on why a third of students do not complete university.
➡️ impact: Families who budget for four-year degrees should continue to plan for additional semesters, which remain common in most sectors of higher education.
2. Standard & Poor’s Global issues negative forecasts for higher education in the United States
Standard & Poor’s global ratings released its fiscal year 2026 forecasts for nonprofit colleges and universities, Sector Allocation A negative Appointment for next year. Analysts point to sluggish revenue growth, higher operating costs, and fluctuating enrollment rates as primary concerns. Institutions with limited reserves or that rely heavily on tuition may face the most pressure.
➡️ impact: Financial pressure on universities can lead to reduced programs, increased class sizes, reduced aid, or higher net prices. Families comparing colleges should pay close attention to indicators of financial stability.
3. Artificial Intelligence in College Admissions Essays: What Students Need to Know
This is the biggest debate right now in college admissions: AI or no AI?
As more applicants experiment with AI tools to craft or improve their college essays, colleges are responding with new data, honor code language, and internal debates about what constitutes “original work.”
Some institutions allow limited AI assistance, while others move toward imposing explicit restrictions. Here’s what happened when we asked 24 college admissions officers about artificial intelligence.
➡️ impact: Families should review each college’s AI policy before submitting applications. Misunderstanding AI rules could delay review or jeopardize admissions decisions.
4. Launching Trump accounts with a $1,000 baby bonus for eligible newborns
the The White House was officially opened
Trump accountsa new federal savings program for children under 8 years of age. As part of the offering, eligible newborns will receive… Federal contribution of $1,000is automatically placed in an investment account held in a U.S. stock index fund.
The program is supported by an additional private contribution from Michael Dell, expanding the initial pool of seed funding and accelerating early adoption. The funds can later be used for qualified education expenses, first home purchases, or starting a small business.
Here’s how to claim your Trump account if you’re eligible.
➡️ impact: You must submit a tax form in order to get your account. Parents should check eligibility, understand contribution rules, and may want to add their own savings early to take advantage of doubling.
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