TICAS Statement on Trump Administration’s FY21 Budget for Higher Education

“President Trump’s budget fails the millions of students who are struggling to pay for college. The budget would make student loans costlier for students, eliminate SEOG scholarships, and halve work-study funding. While re-prioritizing student aid spending could make college more affordable for students who need it most, the Trump budget cuts our overall investment in college affordability by $170 billion.

“The deep cuts in student aid overshadow worthwhile proposals, such as automatically enrolling distressed borrowers in income-driven repayment, modernizing student loan servicing, expanding Pell Grant eligibility to incarcerated students, and eliminating wasteful account maintenance fees for guaranty agencies.

“Students can console themselves that this budget is here today, gone tomorrow. In fact, Congress is now considering substantial increases in student aid. The deep cuts proposed in this budget should be quickly forgotten.”

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The Institute for College Access & Success is a trusted source of research, design, and advocacy for student-centered public policies that promote affordability, accountability, and equity in higher education. For more information see www.ticas.org or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.