Donald Trump's win in the 2024 election signals the likely rollback of President Joe Biden's higher education policies. Over the past few years, Biden has made higher education reform a key focus of his administration, implementing policies aimed at student loan forgiveness, stronger consumer protections for college students, and expanded protections for LGBTQ+ students. However, Trump's return to the White House may see these efforts reversed or scaled back, reflecting a shift in federal priorities that will affect millions of students and families across the country.
Throughout his first term, Trump worked to undo regulations introduced by the Obama administration, which had aggressively targeted for-profit colleges and implemented reforms intended to increase accountability among institutions of higher education. Biden's administration followed in Obama's footsteps, with significant initiatives in loan forgiveness and institutional oversight. Trump's previous actions, combined with his campaign promises, suggest he may take similar steps this time to dismantle Biden-era reforms.
Student Loan Forgiveness: At Risk of Reversal
Student loan forgiveness has been a cornerstone of Biden's education policy. His administration approved billions of dollars in debt relief for borrowers, primarily through targeted forgiveness programs aimed at students defrauded by certain colleges and those in public service fields. Biden's policies also included attempts to simplify repayment options and streamline forgiveness processes, offering relief to millions of struggling borrowers.