How Donald Trump’s Presidency Could Affect Students

Throughout the election campaigns, Donald Trump’s statement left students with little knowledge or

idea about what their future is going to be like under a new U.S. President. Many sites have reported

that Donald Trump is causing worry for international students, who may be faced with less

postgraduate job opportunities in the U.S. if Trump upholds a promise made during his campaign to

limit or end the H-1B Visa program intended for highly-skilled foreign workers. However, for U.S.

student loan holders, Trump’s presidency could take some of the pressure off. We’ve looked at some

of the main ways in which the new President could change things for students:


Student Loan Repayments


If you studied for your tax degree online with a student loan, then chances are that you’re still

paying it off, even if it’s been a while since you graduated. Although new repayment options and the

possibility of forgiveness from the debt after 20-25 years were available for graduates under the

Obama Administration, Trump told a conference in Ohio in October that he does not believe that

students should be made to repay any more than they can afford and he intends to cap student debt

repayments at just over twelve percent of total income. He also said that students should not have

the loan ‘hanging around their neck’ for life, suggesting that debt forgiveness should be offered after

just fifteen years.


International Students


However, for international students, moving to the U.S. for work and study may no longer be on the

cards if President Trump upholds his promises regarding the H-1B visa. Although it unclear about

how this would affect international students that currently study in the U.S. or international

students enrolled on online college programs, it would certainly make it more difficult for non-U.S.

citizens to be accepted into college programs or find a job afterwards.


Private Student Loans


Currently, student loans in the U.S. are mainly dealt with by the federal government and managed

by loan servicers such as Navient, the nation’s largest student loans company, which has just been

sued for ‘failing borrowers at every stage of repayment’. Students under Trump’s presidency are

expected to have to rely on private sector lenders and loan servicing companies such as Navient

more when borrowing and repaying their student loans.


Lower Tuition Fees


This suggestion may come as a breath of fresh air for anybody who’s considering enrolling on a

taxation degree, for example, but is worried about facing the huge costs of paying back loans or

finding money to pay for rising tuition fees. In his speech in October in Ohio, Trump stated that he

would push for colleges to make cutbacks on tuition and reduce federal regulations at colleges so

that they could pass on the savings made on compliance to their students. Whether or not this idea

will work out is yet to be seen.


If you’re a student, Donald Trump’s presidency could affect you in a number of ways. Both home and

international students may see some changes as the new president steps in.