Trump Education Rule Ties Loans to Graduate Earnings

Does this punish vital low-paid callings or finally protect students and taxpayers from worthless degrees?

Published 4 days ago

Trump Education Rule Ties Loans to Graduate Earnings

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Above: The U.S. Department of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C., on May 28. Image credit: Al Drago/Getty Images

The Spin

Democratic narrative

Deciding who deserves a college loan based on a paycheck four years out treats teachers, social workers, artists and clergy as worthless. Communities drowning in overdoses, homelessness and understaffed classrooms need those graduates far more than they need a spreadsheet's approval. Locking working-class kids out of meaningful callings is a wealth test on ambition.

The New Republic on X The New Republic

Republican narrative

Taxpayers have no business underwriting programs that leave graduates poorer than if they'd skipped college entirely. With defaults and delinquencies climbing across a $1.7 trillion loan portfolio, a modest earnings test is the least that should be asked of any school taking federal money. Holding every sector to the same standard finally ends the shell game and protects students from crushing debt.

Nicholas Kent on X

Linda McMahon on U.S. Department of Education