College is the bridge to a student’s future. It is what hones niche talents, produces the next generation of passionate artists, teachers, and essential workers in society, but what if that future was at risk? The Department of Education has proposed to cut federal loans for degrees with low-income graduates, and this would take effect beginning in July of 2027.
According to The Runner, the degrees at risk of having federal loans cut include “Cosmetology, Liberal Arts, Social Work, Teaching Aides, Culinary Arts, Music, Film, Religious Studies, and English literature.” These cuts will be decided based on the earnings of graduates. If a program’s graduate is estimated to make less than if they had not gotten the degree at all, it is deemed low-paying and will face cuts.
While certain degrees being low-paying is an important conversation to have, many editors agree: it being the deciding factor is harmful, not only to students, but to institutions and future generations. There is more to a degree than just the income post-graduation. An editor argues that “a degree is an important tool to battle misinformation, develop critical thinking, and to broaden your perspective.”
One editor commented, “Limiting access to federal loans will only make it harder for students to get an education.” Another editor’s perspective is in agreement, explaining that “these cuts will most likely make college less accessible.”
College is already insanely expensive, and the prospect of losing loans just because of the degree you’re selecting is potentially dangerous. The students relying on loans are mostly first-generation students, meaning that this cut will ostracize the lower class and impact the possibility of social mobility. College is undoubtedly a large financial burden, and less funding will lead to fewer people pursuing a higher education.
An editor shared that “if we only allow low-income students to pursue careers that aren’t their passions then we are curating and promoting a generation of unhappiness.”
A big concern about this cut is the survival rate of these careers. A cut to loans would undoubtedly lead to a decrease in students pursuing these fields. An editor shared that “this could make existing shortages in certain professions even worse,” and another commented, “so many of the degrees being cut are creative degrees, which are programs already with low participation; I can’t imagine what will happen to them now.”
Another challenge is that these are essential professions. The world needs counselors; we need teachers to shape our future generations, and we need social workers. An editor explained, “If you enjoy getting your hair done, then we need cosmetologists, and if you like eating out, then we need culinary arts.” Just because a degree isn’t high-earning doesn’t make them any less essential to society.
An editor shared a very profound perspective, explaining that most of the degrees at risk are women-dominated fields. “If feminized careers are the ones being attacked, what type of message does that send to young girls?”
Many editors also shared that if the cost and payout of degrees are such a large concern, then maybe we should focus on why college is so expensive, rather than limiting opportunity. An editor said, “I don’t think a career’s salary should determine their access to federal loans…everyone deserves a fair opportunity to pursue their education.”
“A student should never have to abandon their passion just because the state declared it low-paying; we will always need art, creativity, and humanity,” another editor highlighted.
Overall, editors are in agreement about the harm this federal cut will have on students. While the cost of school shouldn’t be overlooked, it should not impact degree choice, and certain degrees shouldn’t be devalued and vilified just because they aren’t high-paying. Everyone is on a different path, and every degree holds importance. We need the arts, we need literature, and more importantly, we need passionate students without financial fear.
