Higher education policy is like the rules that tell universities and colleges how they should work. It's like the government or lawmakers saying what they think is important and should be happening. For example, they might say universities should have classes that are all online or they should focus on teaching students skills like teamwork, innovation, and problem-solving. They might also say they should provide more financial aid to students who cannot afford tuition. All of these rules come together to create a policy that makes sure universities are helping students learn and get the education they need to succeed.