Trump Finalizes Rule Cutting Federal Loans for Low-Paying Degrees
The Trump administration has finalized a rule banning federal student loans for degrees that do not lead to sufficient earnings, using IRS data to compare graduates' salaries to those of high school graduates. Degrees in social work, art, religious studies, teaching aides, music, and cosmetic certification, along with many for-profit programs, will be most affected. Critics argue the policy devalues socially important professions like social work and humanities. The rule is set to take effect in 2027.
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Trump Moves to Cut Off Student Loans for Low-Earning Degrees
President Trump's Education Department has finalized a rule that will cut off federal student loans for degrees that do not lead to sufficient earnings. The policy, set for implementation in 2027, will use IRS data to compare graduates' salaries four years after graduation to those of high school diploma holders of similar age. Degrees in social work, art, religious studies, teaching aides, music, and cosmetic certification programs will be hardest hit, along with many for-profit programs. The administration frames the move as accountability for higher education, but critics—including some conservatives—argue it punishes students pursuing socially valuable but low-paying careers. Stanford professor Jonathan Gienapp noted that educational success in humanities fields may not be directly tied to immediate earnings potential. The American Council on Education's Ted Mitchell highlighted the need for social workers in crises like the fentanyl epidemic and homelessness.
Trump Moves to Cut Off Student Loans for Low-Paying Degrees
President Trump's Education Department has finalized a rule that will cut off federal student loans for degrees deemed to have low earnings potential. The policy, set for implementation in 2027, will use IRS data to compare graduates' salaries four years after graduation to those of high school diploma holders of similar age. Degrees in social work, art, religious studies, teaching aides, music, and cosmetic certification programs will be hardest hit, along with many for-profit programs. The administration frames the move as accountability for higher education, but critics—including some conservatives—argue it punishes students pursuing socially valuable careers like social work and humanities, which may not have high immediate earnings but are critical to society. Stanford professor Jonathan Gienapp noted that educational success in humanities is not always tied to earnings potential. The policy has sparked debate over the role of government in valuing education purely by financial return.
Trump Administration Finalizes Rule Cutting Student Loans for Low-Paying Degrees
The Trump administration has finalized a rule that will ban students from taking out federal loans for degrees that do not lead to sufficient earnings. The Education Department will use IRS data to compare graduates' salaries four years after graduation to those of high school graduates of similar age. Degrees in social work, art, religious studies, teaching aides, music, and cosmetic certification, as well as many for-profit programs, will be most affected. The policy is framed as accountability for higher education but has drawn criticism from educators and some conservatives who argue it devalues socially important but low-paying professions. Critics, including American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell and Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Gregory Baylor, warn the rule will harm fields like social work and humanities. The policy is set to take effect in 2027.
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Trump Administration Finalizes Rule Cutting Student Loans for Low-Paying Degrees
The Trump administration has finalized a rule that will ban students from taking out federal loans for degrees that do not lead to sufficient earnings. The Education Department will use IRS data to compare graduates' salaries four years after graduation to those of high school graduates of similar age. Degrees in social work, art, religious studies, teaching aides, music, and cosmetic certification programs will be hardest hit, along with for-profit programs. The policy, framed as accountability by the administration, has drawn criticism from educators and some conservatives who argue it devalues socially important but low-paying professions. Critics, including American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell and Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Gregory Baylor, warn the rule could deter students from pursuing essential careers. The policy is set to take effect in 2027.
Trump Administration Finalizes Rule Cutting Off Student Loans for Low-Paying Degrees
The Trump administration has finalized a rule that will ban students from taking out federal loans for degrees that do not lead to sufficient earnings. The Education Department will use IRS data to compare graduates' salaries four years after graduation to those of high school graduates of similar age. Degrees in social work, art, religious studies, teaching aides, music, and cosmetic certification programs will be most affected, along with many for-profit programs. The policy, framed as accountability by the administration, has drawn criticism from educators and some conservatives who argue it devalues socially important but lower-paying professions. Critics, including American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell and Stanford professor Jonathan Gienapp, warn the rule ignores the broader value of humanities and social work. The policy is set to take effect in 2027.