In a divided America, education stands as a light in the most uncertain darkness. Whether students pursue degrees in art history or engineering, their knowledge is essential to the betterment of America’s future.
The Department of Education has proposed to cut federal student loans for college majors deemed indicators of “low-income graduates.” They argued that certain college majors lead to degrees that do little to give back to the economy or even to the student’s life.
Students pursuing degrees that lead to lower-earning careers could lose access to federal loans as soon as the 2028-2029 academic year. These would include degrees involving religious studies, early childhood education, social work, the arts, humanities and liberal arts programs.
While it is important to circumvent a national deficit and pay mind to the US economy, the Department of Education’s latest proposal could threaten America’s social foundation.
Americans spend their daily lives enmeshed with art, culture and media, whether they are aware of it or not.
What would life look like without streaming a song from a popular artist on the commute home from work or an exciting assortment of romance novels in a local store when it is time to cozy up and unwind? What would the holiday season look like without heartfelt commercials and family trips to see blockbuster films in cinemas?
How would news broadcasts work without journalists, photographers and editors?
From trending sounds on TikTok to libraries to social workers who stand as pillars in their communities, modern lives are interwoven with the humanities and this new proposal could bar students from following their aspirations.
On X, the New Republic made a post criticizing the Department of Education, stating: “Trump is banning students majoring in degrees that don’t make enough money from taking out college loans. Degrees for social work, art, religious studies, teaching aides, and music will be hit the hardest.”
While these paths of study are not outright being banned, the lack of access to federal loans will discourage students from pursuing those fields.
In response to the post from The New Republic on X, the U.S. Department of Education said: “Here’s the truth: we are holding colleges accountable for leaving students worse off than if they never enrolled. Too many graduates report delaying major life milestones like buying a home or starting a family. Why? Because of low return-on-investment programs saddled them with unmanageable debt that was never going to translate into a real-world job.”
This change could push college students to major in degrees related to STEM, pursue healthcare and contribute to fields that are deemed more “practical”, as they will be more likely to “allow” the use of federal student loans.
In May, the Trump Administration dealt out cuts to federal loan access for social work majors. The National Association of Social Workers made it clear that they do not stand with that verdict.
“That’s a decision to let Americans suffer,” said Anthony Estreet, CEO of the NASW. “Social work is a profession. It requires a graduate degree, supervised clinical hours and state licensure. When you make it harder for people to afford that education, you don’t just thin out a workforce; you leave real people without care.”
Per the NASW, 1 in 6 Americans state that they or a member of their immediate family has received help from a social worker. These professionals have improved the lives of foster children, people battling addiction, veterans, teens in crisis and low-income families.
America will see a rise in demand for this career but the cuts to federal loans will change whether there will be a supply for the rising demand.
As many Americans face rising costs, gentrification and uncertainty, it’s important to recognize the essential pieces of our social identity. Students pursuing these degrees give back to culture, history and bring comfort to countless communities.
Undermining the importance of the arts, humanities and the need for social work sends forth a disheartening message to America’s future.
Josofine Addison, reporter
Check out more from The Clarion:
- MyVoice: Proposed federal loan cuts put humanities degrees at risk
In a divided America, education stands as a light in the most uncertain darkness. Whether students pursue degrees in art… Read more: MyVoice: Proposed federal loan cuts put humanities degrees at risk - Clarion cuisine: La Monarca: Tacos, ice cream and all one could want in a Central American restaurant
La Monarca Tacos and Ice Cream, located at 276 Linden Ave., is unassuming from the outside, but after the first… Read more: Clarion cuisine: La Monarca: Tacos, ice cream and all one could want in a Central American restaurant - MyVoice: The ones who hold the glue stick
The need to be sticky. There are purple, blue, white and clear glue sticks, plus an assortment of others if… Read more: MyVoice: The ones who hold the glue stick - Sinclair gives students plenty to do this October
Sinclair October Events Oct. has arrived, and with it the season of Halloween. As with September, Sinclair will be hosting… Read more: Sinclair gives students plenty to do this October - Dayton Battle of the Bands calls local musicians to the stage
Applications are now open for the seventh annual Dayton Battle of the Bands, a series of winter concert competitions that… Read more: Dayton Battle of the Bands calls local musicians to the stage