Possible Harvard Settlement and Federal Pressure

President Donald Trump said on September 30, 2025 that his administration is close to a settlement with Harvard University. He said the agreement would include a $500 million payment and commitments to run trade schools that teach artificial intelligence and engineering.

Earlier this year federal officials froze $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard after protests and complaints about campus handling of antisemitism. Harvard has challenged some of the administration’s actions in court, and a judge on September 3 blocked parts of the planned funding cuts. Although courts have limited some steps, the administration has continued to press the university while talks proceed. The Department of Health and Human Services has opened processes that could bar the school from certain federal contracts.

Other institutions have reached deals: Columbia University agreed to pay more than $220 million, and Brown University agreed to pay $50 million to support workforce programs. Education Secretary Linda McMahon is finishing the final details, and Harvard had no immediate comment. Rights groups have raised concerns about academic freedom, and the final settlement remains unclear.