Columbia University agrees to $221 million settlement with the Trump admin
** This article was updated on July 23, 2025, at 10:40 p.m. to include a comment from Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI)
Columbia University has reached a deal with the Trump administration, part of which stipulates that the university will pay the federal government over $220 million, according to a Wednesday announcement .
"While Columbia does not admit to wrongdoing with this resolution agreement, the institution's leaders have recognized, repeatedly, that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents and that reform was and is needed," the institution said.
What's in the deal?
As part of the deal, the "vast majority" of the $400 million in federal grants Columbia had been approved for that were terminated or paused in March 2025 will be reinstated, according to the institution. The agreement also guarantees that the university will have access to future federal funding.
"Importantly, the agreement preserves Columbia's autonomy and authority over faculty hiring, admissions and academic decision-making," the university said.
The battle between the Trump administration and Columbia began when the institution was issued an ultimatum in March. Federal officials told the university it must abide by a list of requirements they had laid out for it or risk jeopardizing its "continued financial relationship with the United States government."
The institution responded by agreeing to implement a series of policy changes. Most recently, Columbia announced that students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations would face expulsion or suspension for one to three years, as well as probation and degree revocations.
"This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty. The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track. Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest," said Claire Shipman, Columbia's acting president.
Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) said in a statement that the "need" for a federal settlement shows the university's "lack of institutional willingness to effectively respond to antisemitism."
"This school and its so-called leaders have failed time and time again to keep Jewish students, faculty, and staff safe. True progress requires universities to confront antisemitism proactively, in partnership with affected communities. We will closely monitor Columbia's purported commitment to this agreement and continue to develop legislative solutions to address antisemitism," he said.
The university will pay a $200 million settlement over three years and $21 million to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the institution said.
Additionally, a "jointly selected independent monitor" will assess the implementation of the resolution, and the university will provide regular reports to demonstrate that they are adhering to the deal.
The settlement between Columbia and the Trump administration comes as Harvard University discusses its own deal with federal officials. As talks continue, Harvard's two lawsuits against the federal government are progressing through the court system.
One lawsuit targets the cutting of over $2.6 billion in federal funding to the institution , while the other challenges the administration's attempts to revoke the university's ability to host international students .
What has happened between Columbia and the Trump admin?
In April 2024, Columbia's student protests against the war in Gaza garnered international media coverage, especially after a protest encampment took over a campus building .
After taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration criticized Columbia's response to the protests and issued a series of demands. The university later agreed to implement a list of policy changes, including the adoption of a new definition of antisemitism and an overhaul of its rules for student protests. It also consented to an immediate review of its Middle Eastern studies department.
Later this spring, the Trump administration sent Harvard a similar list of demands, leading to pushback from the institution through its two lawsuits.
Quickly following in Harvard's footsteps, Columbia pledged not to make any agreement with the federal government that would "relinquish our independence and autonomy," according to a message from the university's president.
The Trump administration has also targeted individual protesters such as Mahmoud Khalil — a lawful U.S. resident who, until December 2024, was a graduate student at Columbia. Khalil was detained in March for engaging in pro-Palestinian protests and faced potential deportation. He is now suing the Trump administration.
In the months since the Trump administration first sent Columbia its list of demands, federal officials have not eased pressure on the university to give in to its agenda. In June, the U.S. Department of Education threatened to rescind Columbia's accreditation , citing an inadequate response by the university to campus antisemitism.
The U.S. Department of Education also announced it would investigate Columbia for failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic discrimination and harassment. Six Massachusetts institutions were also named in the investigation .
"Today's agreement with the federal government affirms Columbia's unyielding commitment to academic freedom, freedom of expression and open inquiry. It confirms the changes already underway at Columbia to meaningfully address antisemitism on our campus and allows the University to continue to undertake its transformative research and scholarship," said Board of Trustees Co-Chairs David Greenwald and Jeh Johnson.
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