College Consensus is continuing our series on where higher education is today, how it got here, and where it’s going.
Impact on Students: First-Generation, Low-Income, International, and Disabled
All of these issues directly affect college students, especially low-income and first-generation students, international students, and disabled students.
Historically, first-generation students (the first in their family to go to college) and low-income students have been the most vulnerable.
First-generation students are far more likely to drop out before completing their degree – a 33% rate versus 14% for students whose parents went to college. Plus, more than a quarter of first-generation students are also from low-income families, increasing their vulnerability.
The primary reason students drop out of college is financial. For first-generation and low-income students, who lack the resources of higher-income, continuing-generation students, that risk is increased.
For first-generation and low-income students, federal programs have historically made the difference between staying in college and giving up.
But now, calls from the new federal administration to slash budgets and even dismantle the Department of Education mean the support thousands of precarious and at-risk students have depended on could be on the chopping block:
- Pell Grants – Need-based grants that don’t need to be repaid
- Federal Student Loans – Loans with low interest rates and flexible repayment options
- TRIO Programs – Upward Bound, Talent Search, Student Support Services
- GEAR UP – Preparing first-gen college students for success starting in high school
International Students
The Trump administration’s intensified immigration crackdown is having a profound impact on higher education in the United States.
Stricter visa requirements, increased vetting, and a perceived unwelcoming atmosphere are already deterring international students from coming to the U.S. On top of that, changes to immigration enforcement policies, including the heightened presence of ICE, create anxiety and uncertainty among international students already in the U.S. Even international students who have been through the proper channels are afraid of being deported.
The heightened enforcement of immigration laws creates a climate of fear and anxiety among undocumented students and those from immigrant families. This can negatively impact their academic performance and overall well-being. And without “sensitive locations” protections, students are worried about ICE presence on college campuses.
Many graduate programs and research initiatives rely heavily on international students and scholars, particularly in STEM fields. Disruptions to immigration policies can hinder research progress and innovation. Cuts to federal research grants, which often support international graduate students, further exacerbate this issue.
The overall effects of the immigration policies, combined with the push to reduce DEI programs in universities, will inevitably reduce the diversity of university student bodies, and staff. In essence, the immigration crackdown is disrupting the flow of international talent, creating a climate of fear on campuses, and potentially undermining the global competitiveness of U.S. higher education.
Disabled Students
Students with disabilities may find college life more difficult to navigate in coming years. The The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) remains in force, and funding for disabled students is granted by Congress, not the Executive branch. But the mass layoffs at the Department of Education mean that money will not have federal guidance.
Disabled students will also find it harder to advocate for their rights. The Office for Civil Rights has had its employees and regional offices slashed by more than half. As the office responsible for investigating discrimination in the Education Department, that means far fewer resources for making sure disabled students are treated right by colleges.
Scholarships
With federal grants and loans in peril, vulnerable students are going to need to look to private scholarships to pay for their schooling.
Most people only think of two kinds of scholarships: academic, and athletic. In general, people who aren’t familiar with higher education assume a student has to be academically gifted or a top athlete to get a scholarship. Conventional parents push their kids to excel in grades, or to be stars on the field, with hopes of a competitive scholarship coming to their rescue.
The truth is, there are scholarships for all kinds of people, with all kinds of academic background and no sports skills at all! College Consensus has highlighted many of these specialized scholarships:
Biggest Scholarships for First in Family Students
Biggest Scholarships for LGBTQ Students
Biggest Scholarships for Latino and Hispanic Students
Biggest Scholarships for Black and African-American Students
Biggest Scholarships for Women
