By Isaac Piper
As of January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump has returned to office for a second term. In these first two weeks, he has already issued fifty-three executive orders. With so many orders already issued and additional plans announced, it can be difficult to determine which policies will directly impact Tri-C students in the coming months. From increasing prices to federal loan restructuring, here is what you can expect to change.
Trump has made numerous controversial decisions regarding foreign relations. Most notably, he has planned to impose tariffs on our three biggest trade partners. The tariff on China has already taken effect, while Canada and Mexico have thirty days before they take effect. If the Canada and Mexico tariffs go through, you can expect gasoline to become more expensive. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that“twenty million barrels of gasoline are used by the U.S. each day.” 13.2 million barrels daily are produced domestically by the United States, 4.3 million come from Canada daily, and nearly a million from Mexico. In the event of said tariffs, Tri-C students might find online classes to be a more cost-effective choice.
Canada, China, and Mexico also provide 60% of our lumber imports. Some of this lumber goes on to create notoriously expensive college textbooks. According to the Education Data Initiative, textbook prices rise by 12% each time a new edition is printed. With goods becoming more expensive, students might see their textbooks rise beyond that 12% increase.
One of the most significant aspects of President Trump’s plan is the proposed dismantling of the Department of Education (ED). During a 2024 campaign event in Pennsylvania, he announced “I’m gonna close the Department of Education and move education back to the states.” Since then, his administration has begun drafting an order to dismantle the ED. While there is a debate on whether this is beneficial, the impact of such a closure is far-reaching. The ED puts roughly $114 Billion towards the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. It is responsible for student loan forgiveness programs and issuing Pell Grants. The ED is also accountable for equal access to schooling regardless of race, religion, or sex, through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
If the ED were abolished, it is unlikely that Pell Grants or loan forgiveness would stop entirely. However, these programs will likely face significant cuts. There has been some indication that Trump might privatize student loans, meaning it would be significantly less forgiving. In an interview with CNBC, the President of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten says “I’ve heard them talk about getting rid of loan forgiveness for people in the public service.” Tri-C students looking to have careers as police, teachers, or firefighters would be massively affected. All other students using Pell Grants or federal loans could also be affected.
There are a few ways students can combat these changes. As previously stated, Tri-C has a variety of online classes if gas becomes too expensive. Tri-C also offers a free bus pass that students can sign up for. While physical textbook prices may rise, many have more affordable digital versions available. There is also a large second hand market for textbooks on sites like amazon, where students can find them at significant discounts. While federal loan changes may require adjustment, many non-federally funded programs are here to support students. Tri-C staff are also here to support students, providing any guidance you may need. Together, staff and students can navigate this uncertain future.
