This Week In College And Money News: May 8, 2026

This week's stories share a common thread: the new federal student loan rules taking effect July 1 are going to be forcing real decisions for graduate students, parents, faculty, and borrowers right now. The private student loan market is preparing to roughly double in size, one university is going the opposite direction by cutting tuition, faculty buyouts have become a sector-wide trend, and PAYE is closing fast for borrowers exiting SAVE.

Here's a quick look at the most important stories shaping higher education and student finances this week for May 8, 2026.

🎓 Headlines at a Glance

• The private student loan market is set to expand sharply as new federal caps take effect.
• Campbell University drops adult and online undergraduate tuition to $400 ...