Higher education bonds

The Phoenix-based university will not have to pay a $37.7 million fine after the U.S. Department of Education dropped its case.

Student loan issuers are watching federal policy, from the Department of Education to the tax-exemption, to decide on the timing and size of their annual deals.

Federal threats to grants and the tax exemption continue to push universities to the bond market. This week, it was MIT, Yale, and Suffolk University's turn.

The ratings agency is growing more pessimistic about the United States economy.

The "Golden Age of Public Finance," as it was called by industry pundits, is likely to face significant changes under the Trump administration.

The escalating dispute between the prestigious issuer and the White House is spooking some bond holders and creating opportunities for others.

With the threat to tax exempt municipal bonds looming in a Congress searching for pay-fors, private activity bonds supporting hospitals and higher education are high on the list of potential first targets.

Brown is among the Ivy League schools borrowing money as they face funding threats from the Trump administration.

Harvard University braved the most volatile market in years this week to price a $750 million taxable deal. Princeton is hot on its heels. 

The deal will raise money for general purposes as the Ivy League school faces cuts to government grants as the Trump administration attacks higher education.