Colleges with low-earning grads could lose access to student loans. Here's why.

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

February 6, 2026 / 4:50 PM EST


Some college programs whose graduates earn less than workers with only a high school diploma could lose access to federal student loans under the Republicans' "big, beautiful bill" act, a change that could impact about 40,000 U.S. college students, according to a recent analysis.

About 2% of U.S. associate and bachelor's degree-granting programs are at risk under the new provision, called "do no harm," which takes effect in July, according to research from the HEA Group, a higher-education research firm.

The provision, part of the GOP tax and spending law's overhaul of student loans, requires programs to show that graduates earn more than high school graduates. College arts, religion and trade programs such as cosmetology are the most likely to be cut off from federal student loans, according to HEA.

Getting your money's worth

The new rule reflects Republican efforts to bar federal student loans for degrees that "leave students worse off than if they never went to college," according to a 2025 statement from the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/college-low-earnings-student-loans-do-no-harm-obbba-analysis/

[Norrrm]

1. Trump University?

Even though they relied on credit card debt more than student loans.

[multigraincracker]

2. I worked with someone at the factory

that had a Master Degree in education. Said he couldn’t afford to take the pay cut to take a job in the field.
The real problem is low pay for important work.

[Lonestarblue]

3. The goal is to cut off student loans for vulnerable people.

Minorities especially already earn less than white people in the same jobs, and women earn less than men. Minority women earn less than white women. The vicious cycle continues because our white supremacy government seeks every way possible to hurt women and minorities.

[mwmisses4289]

4. That's most college degree programs, then.

[valleyrogue]

5. So is the Trump administration supporting unionization?

The blue collar jobs are typically overpaid because men do them and many unionized while female dominated fields are seen as secondary wage earner jobs because it is assumed women are being fucked and financially supported by men.

Somehow I don’t think the fascists from P26 are in favor of unions.