Trump Administration Proposes Cuts to Federal Aid for Low-Paying College Majors
Trump team looking to cut aid to college majors that don’t result in high paying jobs

Image: The Independent
The Trump Administration's Education Department is proposing a rule to cut federal student loan access for college programs that lead to low-paying jobs. Programs failing to meet specific income thresholds could lose eligibility, impacting many fields, including culinary and humanities studies.
- 01The proposed rule targets undergraduate programs where graduates earn less than high school graduates.
- 02Graduate programs must yield earnings higher than average bachelor's degree holders to remain eligible for federal loans.
- 03Approximately 75.6% of undergraduate culinary programs could fail the proposed income test.
- 04The American Council on Education and nearly 40 other organizations are calling for adjustments to the proposal, citing flawed metrics.
- 058.8% of undergraduate religious studies programs may also be affected, prompting concerns from faith-based institutions.
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The Education Department under Donald Trump is considering a significant policy shift that would restrict federal student loan access for college programs leading to low-paying jobs. Under the proposed rule, undergraduate programs would lose eligibility if their graduates earn less than a high school graduate, while graduate programs must yield higher earnings than the average bachelor's degree holder. This could affect a vast number of programs, with an estimated 75.6% of culinary and personal services programs likely to be disqualified. The American Council on Education, along with nearly 40 other organizations, has voiced concerns over the proposal, arguing it relies on flawed metrics and could harm students. Additionally, the Association for Biblical Higher Education has requested exemptions for religious studies programs, fearing significant funding cuts to faith-based institutions. The Education Department is currently reviewing public comments on the proposal, which follows recent changes to federal student loan limits for graduate students, capping loans at $20,500 annually for most and $50,000 for professional programs like law and medicine.
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The proposed rule could significantly reduce funding for numerous college programs, particularly in fields like culinary arts and humanities, affecting students' access to education.
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