On November 18, 2025 the Trump administration announced changes to the Department of Education. How will this impact Northeastern?
Last updated: November 21, 2025To date, all Department of Education offices and programs still exist and are being funded, though they may be operating under a new name and/or their activities may be carried out by an adjacent federal agency. Northeastern will continue to monitor these activities and potential impacts to our community.
Has President Aoun issued a statement on how Northeastern is navigating the current situation, or endorsed statements issued by others?
Last updated: June 13, 2025Yes, President Aoun sent a message to all Northeastern students, faculty, staff, and parents on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. The message was also shared via Northeastern Global News and on the university’s social media channels.
In addition, President Aoun has signed on to two public statements in support of research and innovation: “A Renewed Call to Action” Statement by the Council on Competitiveness; and “A Call for Constructive Engagement” Statement by the Association of American Colleges & Universities
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Research and Teaching
What is the university’s stance on academic freedom for faculty?
Last updated: February 12, 2025
As described in the Faculty Handbook, the university does not impose limitations upon the freedom of faculty members in the exposition of the subjects they teach. Faculty members are always expected to exercise appropriate discretion and professional judgment in all facets of their teaching and research, and abide by Northeastern’s policies.
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Student Support
Is federal financial aid funding being impacted?
Last updated: September 24, 2025
On July 1, 2026, the Trump administration announced several changes to some financial aid programs with immediate effect. These changes include new borrowing limits and changes to loan repayment. Current and new borrowers should stay up to date by visiting the Federal Student Aid website for updates.
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What will happen if a PhD student is working on a federal grant that is suspended or terminated?
Last updated: February 6, 2025
Northeastern outlines funding commitments to PhD students in their individual admissions letters. The university will fully honor those commitments to all currently admitted PhD students, even if a student’s federal grant funding is suspended or terminated.
Immigration and
International Issues
On July 17, 2026 the Department of Homeland Security announced changes to what is known as “duration of status.” These changes would limit the length of time international students and scholars are admitted to the university’s US campuses, restrict modifications to their programs, and limit how long they may remain in the US beyond the end of their programs.
What is Northeastern doing now to support current and incoming students, faculty, alumni, and staff?
Last updated: July 17, 2026
The university is reaching out directly to students, scholars, and employees with F and J visa status to provide individual guidance and next steps. We are also developing a range of resources and trainings to ensure that staff across the global university system are prepared to support our international community.
It’s important to note that the rule is final but has not taken effect—once it does, there will be a 60-day implementation period with an effective date of September 15, 2026. In the meantime, all existing federal rules, requirements, and guidance remain in effect.
Incoming students and scholars who are applying for F-1 or J-1 immigration status should follow university guidance, including promptly requesting the correct visa forms, booking their visa interviews, and scheduling their travel to be in the U.S. by their program start date. Current F-1 and J-1 students, scholars, and employees do not need to take action at this time. Additional updates will be sent in the coming weeks.
More information can be found on the Office of Global Services (OGS) website, or by reaching out to OGS with urgent or time-sensitive immigration matters. Students and scholars will continue to have access to OGS staff for individualized guidance and support.
The university is continuing to assess the impact this rule will have on our international community and will provide updates as the situation develops.
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Effective January 1, 2026, the U.S. expanded the June 2025 travel ban to restrict travel from 19 countries and partially restrict travel from 20 other countries. If students, faculty, or staff are affected, where should they go for support?
Last updated: January 2, 2026
Students who have F-1 or J-1 status can find more information on the Office of Global Services (OGS) website and should reach out to OGS with any questions. U.S. based employees can find more information on the HR service center. Employees whose immigration status is sponsored by Northeastern should contact the Office of the General Counsel at OGCImmigration@northeastern.edu with questions related to travel and potential impact to their employment. Members of the Northeastern community whose visa status is independent from the university are encouraged to contact an immigration attorney. This is a dynamic situation and the university is continuing to monitor the impacts to our community.
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Some students, faculty, and staff may be considering travel outside the U.S. for academic programs or vacations. What should they keep in mind?
Last updated: February 13, 2025
Members of our international and immigrant community based at a U.S. campus should continue to be proactive about travel plans and prepare for the possibility of sudden change.
Any citizens of a country that was subject to a travel ban in the past may want to be particularly cautious about international travel in the coming months.
Anyone who holds an Advanced Parole re-entry document (rather than a valid visa) and has discretionary protection (rather than legal status) may want to re-consider travel abroad.
International students, faculty, and staff who are not citizens of a country subject to a past travel ban, and who have a valid U.S. visa, face fewer risks when traveling internationally. Still, all international travelers should expect additional screening by U.S. immigration when you return from abroad.
Transgender and nonbinary U.S. citizens can continue to travel with valid passports. The administration has announced through an Executive Order that it will only issue new passports that match a citizen’s “biological sex at birth,” though this order faces legal challenges. According to guidance from the U.S. Department of State, previously issued passports will remain in effect up to their expiration date.
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If students, faculty, and staff have questions about their immigration status, where can they go for support?
Last updated: September 24, 2025
Students who have F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant visas should contact the Office of Global Services (OGS) with any questions or concerns. Employees whose immigration status is sponsored by Northeastern should contact the Office of the General Counsel at OGCImmigration@northeastern.eduwith any questions. For faculty and staff whose immigration status is based on their Northeastern employment, please contact the Office of the General Counsel at OGCimmigration@northeastern.edu.
Those with other types of visa concerns, independent from the university, are encouraged to contact an immigration attorney. Members of the Northeastern community in Boston may refer to this guidance from the Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.
The Global Safety Operations Center (GSOC) has established a dedicated phone line at 617-373-1234, staffed 24/7 for immediate concerns about immigration enforcement on campus.
For additional support, Northeastern offers a wealth of student wellness resources, including University Health and Counseling Services. Faculty and staff can find assistance through Human Resources and use the Ombuds for confidential consultation on workplace issues and concerns. Any form of discrimination or harassment should be addressed to the Office for University Equity and Compliance. Any imminent threat to safety should be reported to NUPD at 617-373-3333.
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- Contact (Office of Global Services)
- U.S. Immigration Legal Resources (Office of Global Services)
- Know Your Rights (Massachusetts Immigration & Refugee Advocacy)
- Wellness at Northeastern (Office of Prevention and Education at Northeastern)
- Northeastern University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS)
- Wellness & Life (Human Resources)
- Ombuds for Faculty and Staff
- Office for University Equity and Compliance
- Northeastern University Police Department (NUPD)
- Office of General Counsel
ogcimmigration@northeastern.edu - Northeastern University Police Department
617-373-3333 - Global Safety Operations Center (GSOC)
617-373-1234
Belonging
The administration has eliminated support for DEI within the federal government and across higher education. What does that mean for Northeastern?
Last updated: September 24, 2025
Northeastern’s commitment to embracing our entire global community remains steadfast. While internal structures and approaches may be adjusted to ensure continued compliance with the law, the university’s core values don’t change. We believe that embracing our differences — and building a community of belonging — makes Northeastern stronger.
What is the university doing to support the rights of LGBTQIA+ members of the community?
Last updated: September 24, 2025
Northeastern remains committed to providing a living, learning, and working environment free from discrimination and harassment for all members of our community. Moreover, the university’s Policy on Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity remains fully in effect. Several states where Northeastern maintains campuses (including MA, ME, CA, WA, VA, and NC) have laws expressly prohibiting gender discrimination.
This policy, and the commitment we reaffirm here, includes unwavering support and respect for transgender members of our community across all of our campuses. If these individuals have any concerns, we encourage them to contact our wellness, health and counseling, or ombuds services, or contact human resources or student life for support.