Reconciliation Recap: Analyses on H.R. 1's Final Text

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law a budget reconciliation bill that makes radical changes to numerous federal safety net programs, tax policy, and higher education policy. The law overhauls the federal student aid system, rolls back accountability measures meant to protect students from fraud, and makes deep cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. The consequences for students, borrowers, and institutions will be dire, impacting college access and affordability for generations to come.

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What’s in the Reconciliation Law?

Read our Summary of Higher Ed-Related Provisions

The Latest Student Loan News: What Borrowers Need to Know

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What Republicans’ Student Loan Repayment Overhaul Means for Borrowers

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How the Reconciliation Law Changes the Pell Grant Program

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How the Reconciliation Law Will Change Higher Education Accountability and Impact Students & Borrowers

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How New SNAP and Medicaid Provisions will Impact Basic Needs Insecurity and State Budgets

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Analysis: Shifting SNAP Benefits to States may Strain Higher Ed Budgets

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This bill can only be described as one big mistake—the consequences of which will negatively affect college students, borrowers, and their families for years to come.
From Congress to the White House, it’s painfully apparent that federal policymakers are divesting from higher education access, success, and affordability. This misguided direction will reverse 60 years of progress toward increased educational attainment and undermine the longtime consensus on the need to invest in a globally competitive workforce. The result will be a less prosperous nation.

Sameer Gadkaree, TICAS President

Meet Our Experts

Ellie Bruecker, Ph.D.

Senior Director of Research

Dr. Ellie Bruecker is our Senior Director of Research, leading the Research Team in conducting high-quality data analysis and student-centered research. Ellie is a passionate advocate for equity in higher education and is committed to bridging the gap between research and policy change.

Christopher Madaio

Senior Advisor, Accountability

Christopher J. Madaio works closely with attorneys general, policymakers, and advocates to advance policies that hold institutions accountable and safeguard students’ educational investments.

Deborah Martin

Senior Policy Associate

Deborah Martin serves as a Senior Policy Associate for TICAS' Anti-Poverty and Basic Needs team. She supports TICAS’ efforts to close equity gaps and align anti-poverty goals to strengthen the nation’s workforce.

Erika Roberson

Senior Policy Associate

Erika is a senior policy associate supporting TICAS’ anti-poverty and basic needs work. She is particularly passionate about closing opportunity gaps for students from low-income families and those in rural communities, similar to those of her hometown.

Michele Zampini