Most college students say they will be affected by Trump’s new tax bill: “Honestly, I cooked” | American universities

and Donald Trump“Big and Beautiful Bills” Will Change the Ways of Funding for Families and Students Higher Education Starting from July 2026 New Investigation It is recommended that most college students expect to be affected by the bill.

A U.S. News and the World report surveyed nearly 1,200 college students, and most responders said the changes would affect them. When asked about the broader impact of the law, 61% of students said they personally felt the impact, while 20% said they would not, and 19% replied “I don’t know.”

About one-third (32%) of students are expected to receive Cancel repayment option For example, the SAVE program, which is the 2023 revenue-driven repayment plan implemented by former President Joe Biden.

Trump’s bill sets new caps for lending and reduces the repayment plan options available to federal student loan borrowers who start lending loans starting next summer. It also eliminates graduate loans for graduate and majors after this.

Among the respondents, the understanding of the scope of incoming changes varies. Only 20% of students said they had full mastery of the upcoming policy shift, while 19% admitted that they didn’t understand at all. Another 39% said they had some understanding, while 22% were unsure how the new rules would apply to them.

A few students (51%) opposed changes to all student loans under the bill. Even when asked about personal regulations, support remains weak, with only about one in five approving the lending cap or eliminating certain income-driven repayment plans.

For many, the new rules have caused them to rethink their own educational path. According to the survey, 35% are considering cutting their studies, 32% involve changing degrees, 31% involve completing schools abroad, and 26% invite the military to get financial support.

First generation students are even more likely to consider reducing their studies (45%) or changing majors (44%), which may be related to the outcome of Trump’s withdrawal of long-term protection measures Immigration raid On the school campus data It shows that 47% of the first-generation students in the United States are also first-generation immigrants.

Some students shared their thoughts directly: “I’m considering not completing law school,” one said. Another explained, “I want to go to medical school, but now I won’t.” One person briefly summarized: “Honestly, I cooked it.”

Graduate and major students are expected to feel the biggest impact given the new lending restrictions and the loss of graduate plus loans.

Currently, students in law or medical courses can borrow Up to $138,500 In their educational process, including undergraduate borrowing. Other graduate students have borrowing limits ranging from $81,000 to $107,500, depending on their undergraduate students.

The new legislation will limit borrowing for master’s and academic doctoral programs to $20,500 per year, totaling $100,000. Professional practice PhD, such as medicine and law, is capped at $50,000 per year, and totals $200,000.

While these new restrictions are technically higher than the current hats, students need more students to find their choices reduced.

Currently, Grad Plus loans allow graduate students to borrow the full attendance cost. Although their interest rates are higher than direct loans, they provide significant benefits compared to private loans such as fixed interest rates and acquisition income-driven repayment plans.