Students and parents are juggling rising college costs, legal uncertainty, and new signals from the federal government — all at the same time. Fresh numbers on graduation rates, a credit warning for higher education, questions around AI in admissions, and the launch of Trump Accounts all point to a shifting environment for students and families.

Here’s a quick look at the most important developments shaping higher education and student finances this week for December 5, 2025.

🎓 Headlines at a Glance

• Six-year college completion rate remains steady at 61.1%.
• Non-profit colleges face a bleak 2026 credit outlook from S&P Global Ratings.
• Colleges debate how to handle AI-written admissions essays as students increasingly turn to AI tools.
• Trump Accounts launch with a $1,000 baby bonus and new details on how to claim them.

1. Six-Year Graduation Rate Holds at 61.1%

New data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows the six-year graduation rate for students who entered college in 2019 held steady at 61.1%, nearly unchanged from the prior year.

Full-time students continued to outperform part-time students, with a 67.1% completion rate compared to 34.1% among part-time learners. Dual enrollment students posted the strongest results, completing at a rate above 70%.

This reinforces our previous reporting on why one-third of students don't complete college.

➡️ Impact: Families budgeting for four-year degrees should continue to plan for additional semesters, which remain common across most sectors of higher education.

2. S&P Global Issues Negative Outlook for U.S. Higher Education

S&P Global Ratings released its fiscal year 2026 outlook for nonprofit colleges and universities, assigning the sector a negative designation for the year ahead. Analysts cite slowing revenue growth, higher operating costs, and enrollment volatility as core concerns. Institutions with limited reserves or heavy tuition dependence may face the most strain.

➡️ Impact: Financial pressure on campuses can lead to program cuts, larger class sizes, reduced aid, or rising net prices. Families comparing colleges should pay close attention to financial stability indicators.

3. AI 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 draft or refine their college essays, colleges are responding with new statements, honor-code language, and internal debates about what constitutes “authentic work.”

Some institutions allow limited AI assistance, while others are moving toward outright restrictions. Here's what happened when we asked 24 college admissions officers about AI.

➡️ Impact: Families should review each college’s AI policy before submitting applications. Misunderstanding AI rules could delay review or jeopardize admissions decisions.

4. Trump Accounts Launch With a $1,000 Baby Bonus for Eligible Newborns

The White House officially launched Trump Accounts, a new federal savings program for children under age 8. As part of the rollout, qualifying newborns will receive a $1,000 federal contribution, seeded automatically into a custodial investment account held in a restricted U.S. equity 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. Funds may be used later for qualified education expenses, first-time home purchases, or small-business formation.

Here's how to claim your Trump account if you're eligible.

➡️ Impact: You must file a tax form in order to get your account. Parents should verify eligibility, understand contribution rules, and may want to add their own savings early to take advantage of compounding.

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