With college costs rising each year, academic stress becomes a factor that many college and high school students can’t shake. With modern careers requiring an endless amount of experience and a bachelor’s degree, going to college seems like the route that we are programmed to follow. But is it that simple to follow our dreams when tuition rates and presidential administrations deem our careers “unprofessional”?
If you haven’t kept up with the latest nutshell, the government under President Trump and his administration has passed a bill called “the big beautiful bill.” Now, let’s be honest, this bill is anything but beautiful. Let me provide you with a breakdown of what this bill addresses and the risks it may pose to current and future college students.
For the general public or those who already pay taxes, the bill imposes massive tax cuts that eliminate taxes on tips, overtime pay, and social security benefits. With these tax cuts, roughly $12 million is allocated to modernize the traffic control system and to raise funds for border security. This includes finishing the border wall and the subsequent hiring of thousands of new ICE officers. The impacts of tax cuts reduce funding for health care and food assistance programs, such as food stamps and Medicare. The bill not only impacts the general public but also reduces additional assistance for low-income families.Â
Now, in terms of academic progression, most college students depend on some financial assistance to complete their degrees. However, now college students may face more than economic stress; they also worry that their degrees may seem unsuitable for professional careers. The big, beautiful bill creates a mixed picture for undergraduate and graduate loans.
For graduate students, loan programs became more restricted with degrees such as nursing. This shifts the number of students who can complete their graduate degrees without financial problems. With updated bill policies, financial assistance becomes yet another added factor for students.
Knowing which career seems best suited to the future workforce is just another step we must take in modern society. Under these policy changes, the repayment assistance program will replace loan programs for graduate students. Programs such as the Grad Plus loans are under immediate effect, which introduces a new borrowing cap for students. Grad students are awarded $20,500 per year, while $50,000 per year for students in programs defined as “professional” under the Trump administration.
College tuition has increased significantly over the past few decades, severely impacting many students’ futures. This creates an environment that shifts the progression for many low-income families who are deciding to advance in society. Degrees became the only option for a better future for many students across the United States, but our efforts to advance academically have fallen short under this new administration.