Alright, buckle up, because the Trump administration's latest brain fart – sorry, I mean "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) – is about to make life even harder for students. And before you MAGA folks start screaming "fake news," let's look at the facts.
The Grad PLUS Program: Officially Dead
So, Trump's geniuses have decided to axe the Grad PLUS program and cap Parent PLUS Loans. Their reasoning? To prevent "unsustainable borrowing and rising tuition costs." Oh, please. Like that's ever stopped a university from jacking up prices. It's like saying you're cancelling dessert to fight world hunger.
What this really means is that graduate students are now going to be even more screwed when trying to advance their education. Starting in July 2026, grad students will be limited to borrowing $20,500 annually (up to a $100,000 lifetime maximum). Professional students get a generous $50,000 per year (up to $200,000 overall). US Education Department finalizes major student loan reforms, capping graduate borrowing and simplifying repayment
And what if you need more than that? Too bad, so sad. Guess you should've been born rich.
The Education Department is patting itself on the back, saying they're holding universities "accountable for outcomes." But let's be real: universities are gonna find a way to weasel out of it. They always do. It's like trying to nail jello to a wall.
PSLF: Now With Added "Illegality"
Oh, and don't even get me started on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. It was already a bureaucratic nightmare, but now they're adding a new layer of bullsh*t.
Apparently, if your employer has a "substantial illegal purpose" – like, say, helping undocumented immigrants or providing gender-affirming care to minors – you're SOL. No loan forgiveness for you!
And who gets to decide what constitutes a "substantial illegal purpose?" Why, the Education Secretary, of course! Because nothing says "fair and impartial" like letting a political appointee decide who deserves debt relief.
I mean, seriously, are we living in a dystopian novel?
Four U.S. cities, including Boston and Chicago, are suing the administration over this, calling it an "illegal attack on public sector workers." Good for them. Someone has to stand up to this madness.
The "Repayment Assistance Plan" (RAP): More Like a Trap
And what about the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)? Sounds nice, right? Like they're actually helping people.
Don't be fooled. It's just another way to keep borrowers on the hook for longer. Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor, admits it offers "some additional relief" but still requires a minimum payment each month. In other words, you're still paying, just maybe a little less.
"These revisions could certainly cause some student to rethink their plans," Beene said. "With caps and fewer forgiveness options, students may change majors to areas that are more financially secure and can ensure the loans they take out are repaid."
So, the message is clear: don't follow your dreams, chase the money. Great.
Honestly, it's all just so depressing. I mean, what's the point of even trying anymore? They expect us to believe this nonsense, and honestly...
This is a Five-Alarm Fire
Look, the Trump administration's changes to student loans are a disaster. They're going to make it harder for people to get an education, they're going to punish public service workers, and they're going to saddle future generations with even more debt.
And for what? So the rich can get richer and the powerful can stay powerful?
I don't know, maybe I'm just being cynical. Maybe there's a silver lining to all this that I'm missing.
Nah, who am I kidding? This is a sh*tshow.
