The beginning of the brand new yr is bringing readability (and a few new stress factors) for college students and households. The IRS has set the official begin of tax season, schools are making contrasting strikes on tuition, and adjustments to pupil mortgage tax remedy and immigration-related tuition guidelines are starting to land.
Right here’s a fast take a look at an important tales shaping larger schooling and pupil funds this week for January 9, 2026.
🎓 Headlines at a Look
- The IRS broadcasts the official begin of the 2026 tax submitting season.
- Grand Canyon College extends its undergraduate tuition freeze once more.
- Scholar mortgage forgiveness turns into taxable for some debtors in 2026.
- Virginia ends in-state tuition for undocumented college students after federal motion.
Would you want to avoid wasting this?
1. IRS Declares The Begin Of Tax Season: January 26, 2026
The Inside Income Service confirmed that the 2026 tax submitting season will start January 26, when it begins accepting 2025 tax returns. We have cautioned that processing might be slower this yr as a result of staffing constraints and up to date tax-law adjustments.
For college students and households, the timing issues past refunds. Tax returns are used to assert schooling credit just like the American Alternative Tax Credit score, declare the pupil mortgage curiosity deduction, and supply earnings knowledge that feeds into monetary support planning for FAFSA.
➡️ Affect: Delays in submitting or processing can have an effect on money movement, schooling tax advantages, and FAFSA-related planning. Households anticipating refunds or credit tied to schooling prices could wish to file early and double-check documentation.
2. Grand Canyon College Extends Tuition Freeze for the 18th 12 months
Grand Canyon College introduced it’ll maintain undergraduate tuition flat for an 18th consecutive yr, persevering with a long-running tuition-freeze coverage for its on-campus packages. This implies tuition in 2026-27 will stay at $16,500 earlier than monetary support.
At a time when many schools are elevating costs or including new charges, the transfer gives value predictability for college students already enrolled and people contemplating admission for the upcoming tutorial yr.
➡️ Affect: Whereas tuition freezes don’t eradicate all faculty prices, they cut back uncertainty. Households evaluating colleges could weigh predictable pricing in opposition to components like commencement charges, program outcomes, and dwelling bills.
3. Scholar Mortgage Forgiveness Turns into Taxable for Some Debtors
As of January 1, 2026, the federal tax exclusion that made most pupil mortgage forgiveness tax-free has expired. Debtors whose loans are forgiven below sure income-driven compensation plans could now owe federal earnings tax on the quantity forgiven.
This variation doesn’t have an effect on Public Service Mortgage Forgiveness, which stays tax-free below federal legislation, but it surely may apply to debtors reaching the tip of 20- or 25-year compensation timelines on income-driven compensation plans.
➡️ Affect: A forgiven steadiness can now set off a major tax invoice. Debtors nearing forgiveness ought to plan forward and use The School Investor’s Tax Bomb Calculator to grasp the potential impression.
4. Virginia Ends In-State Tuition for Undocumented College students
Virginia is poised to finish its coverage permitting undocumented college students to qualify for in-state tuition at public schools following authorized motion by the U.S. Division of Justice. The change impacts college students who beforehand certified based mostly on residency or highschool attendance within the state.
➡️ Affect: Tuition classification can double or triple faculty prices. College students and households impacted by immigration-related coverage adjustments could must reassess faculty selections, support choices, or switch pathways.
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Editor: Colin Graves
The submit This Week In School And Cash Information: January 9, 2026 appeared first on The School Investor.
