Higher Education

Glendora, Calif. – October 01, 2026 -- Los Angeles Pacific University (LAPU) has officially changed its name to Azusa Pacific University Global (APU Global), aligning its fully online degree programs with the Azusa Pacific University (APU) brand.

APU Global continues to offer 100% online, asynchronous associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree programs built for working adults. APU, the traditional campus-based institution, keeps its focus on on-campus and hybrid education.

Current students see no disruption to coursework or support

For students already enrolled under the former LAPU name, the switch to APU Global changes only the branding. Course schedules, faculty support, and degree progress continue as planned.

Portland, Maine – September 30, 2026 -- The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) has opened applications for three fellowship programs aimed at first-generation and Pell-eligible college students seeking to study or intern abroad in 2027. CIEE awards more than $13 million annually in grants and scholarships for international study and internships.

Thirteen students head to Dublin for an eight-week paid internship

The Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship Program, established in 2015 and sponsored by Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs, the African American Irish Diaspora Network, and The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, sends 13 Pell-eligible students to Dublin each year. The program covers full funding, airfare, and a living stipend, and includes lectures and excursions tied to the historical friendship between Frederick Douglass and Daniel O'Connell. Applications close January 8, 2027.

Englewood – September 29, 2026 -- Undergraduate students across the United States pursuing medicine can now apply for the newly launched Dr. Jihad Mustapha Medical Student Scholarship, a one-time award designed to offset the costs of pre-medical and early medical studies.

The fund targets financial barriers facing pre-med students

Dr. Jihad A. Mustapha, an interventional cardiologist and educator, established the scholarship to help talented students focus on academic excellence and clinical preparation rather than financial strain. His career spans decades of clinical practice, research, and teaching, with a focus on cardiovascular and vascular medicine.

Applications open through the scholarship's official website

Students can apply through the program's dedicated site, where guidelines, required documentation, and submission deadlines are listed.

Henderson, Tenn. – September 24, 2026 -- Freed-Hardeman University has secured three rankings in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges list, including No. 4 for Best Value Regional University in the South.

The university also placed No. 18 among Top Private Schools in the South and tied for No. 35 among Regional Universities in the South.

The Best Value ranking weighs academic quality against cost

U.S. News determines Best Value standings by combining a school's overall academic quality with the net cost of attendance for an out-of-state student receiving average need-based financial aid.

FHU's retention and graduation rates hit new highs

The university reported an 89% fall-to-fall retention rate, meaning nearly nine in ten students return for a second year. Its five-year graduation rate reached an all-time high of 71%.

Tulsa, Okla. – September 22, 2026 -- The University of Tulsa has landed a spot among the Top 75 private research universities in the country, according to the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings released Tuesday. The publication also named UTulsa the No. 1 best value for higher education in Oklahoma.

The school jumped 10 places in the overall national university rankings this year. Its undergraduate computer science program leaped 57 spots, while undergraduate engineering rose 16 places and undergraduate business climbed 26 spots. UTulsa also moved up eight positions among the best colleges for veterans.

Petroleum engineering holds steady at No. 3 nationally

UTulsa's undergraduate petroleum engineering program kept its No. 3 ranking among all national universities and remains No. 1 in Oklahoma.

Washington – September 22, 2026 -- Massachusetts Institute of Technology has claimed the No. 1 spot among National Universities in the U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges rankings, ending Princeton University's 15-year run at the top since the 2012 edition. Princeton now sits at No. 2, with Harvard University at No. 3. Williams College retained its top ranking among National Liberal Arts Colleges in the 42nd edition, which evaluated nearly 1,700 institutions.

Warren, Mich. – September 21, 2026 -- A new one-time educational grant is now open to undergraduate students studying healthcare or related fields, with applications due by May 15, 2027.

The Dr. John Pispidikis Grant targets undergraduates nationwide

The Dr. John Pispidikis Grant for Healthcare Professionals is available to undergraduate students enrolled at any accredited U.S. college or university, regardless of city or state. Applicants must be pursuing a degree or course of study in healthcare or a related field.

An essay is the core of the application

Candidates must submit an original essay responding to the prompt: "How Will You Use Your Healthcare Education to Make a Difference?" Strong submissions are expected to link academic goals to patient care, community service, innovation, or leadership within healthcare.

Tempe – September 19, 2026 -- AceMyHomework, an online tutoring platform based in Tempe, Arizona, announced an expanded focus on personalized academic support for college students, after serving more than 10,000 students since 2019.

The platform connects learners with more than 500 verified subject experts and offers 24/7 online homework help across more than 50 academic subjects, including mathematics, statistics, nursing, programming, biology, chemistry, accounting, finance, economics, business and writing-intensive coursework.

Students often understand the material but get stuck applying it to a specific assignment

According to the company, a statistics student may know the formulas but be unsure which test fits a dataset. A nursing student may understand terminology but struggle with the reasoning behind a clinical scenario. A programming student may have code that looks correct but cannot identify why it fails.

Los Angeles -- September 19, 2026 -- A 17-year-old UCLA student has launched a platform designed to help college students trade seats in full classes instead of waiting on waitlists. Joseph Borna built ClassSwap after struggling to get into required courses during his own coursework at UCLA.

Students list the class they have and the class they want

On ClassSwap, users post the course or section they currently hold alongside the one they are trying to enter. The platform then attempts to connect students with matching, compatible needs. Users can also set alerts to watch specific classes and get notified when a relevant opening appears.

"I kept thinking that there are students all over campus trying to solve the exact same problem separately," Borna said. "There should be one place where they can actually find each other."

PHOENIX – September 16, 2026 -- University of Phoenix has opened enrollment for a new three-year Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, a 90-credit online degree built specifically for working professionals already in the field.

The program requires at least three years of prior work experience

Unlike the university's standard four-year criminal justice bachelor's degree, which requires 120 credits, this accelerated track is capped at 90 credits and is open only to students with a minimum of three years of professional experience in criminal justice or security. The program sits within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and was approved by the Higher Learning Commission, which has continuously accredited University of Phoenix since 1978.