Trump administration agrees to restore $790 million to Northwestern University

Source: Reuters

November 28, 2025 11:03 PM EST Updated 8 hours ago


WASHINGTON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The Trump administration has reached agreement to restore nearly $800 million in federal funds it withheld from Northwestern University and to close government investigations of the school, the university and the U.S. Justice Department said on Friday.

Under the deal, the Chicago-area private research university will pay the U.S. Treasury $75 million over three years to settle complaints the administration raised over the school's admissions standards, transgender policies and handling of antisemitism on campus, the two sides said.

As stated in the settlement, the payment is not an admission of wrongdoing "but simply a condition of the agreement," Northwestern President Henry Bienen said in a message to the university community.

Bienen's predecessor, Michael Schill, resigned in September amid ongoing tensions with the Trump administration, after a three-year tenure. Northwestern also agreed to establish a committee of its Board of Trustees to ensure adherence to the agreement, with the university required to certify compliance on a quarterly basis.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-reaches-deal-with-northwestern-university-restore-funding-2025-11-28/