Higher education under the Trump administration

After the stunning win Donald Trump earned this week, it is unclear what the future holds for most government and private establishments in the US. Matters concerning immigration, environment, employment and education are uncertain. Higher education will be effected massively. However, its fate remains ambiguous. One thing is certain, change is coming and it is very likely to be unpleasant.

Public and expert reactions

Various media reports have been discussing the following issues:

• Under the Trump administration, international students’ future of getting an education in the US will be effected. The probability that the new policies will scare off international students is high.
• Many experts in the US believe that there will be more discord, lack of harmony, and wide spread unrest.
• Many academics believe that this populist move is likely to promote anti-intellectualism and anti-science, particularly with a cabinet that does not recognise climate change and other scientifically sound matters.

However, the plausibility of this issues is questionable, now that the campaigning period is over.

Donald Trump’s plan to higher education

It remains unclear what will happen to higher learning institutions because the policies proposed by Trump and the republican party are still not solid, unclear and require much clarification. Here are some of the policies proposed:

• The new administration plans to fight against regulations in public and private education due to claims that federal regulations are causing higher education a lot of suffering as institutions spend a substantial amount of their budgets on regulations compliance.
• Student debt issues:
  • The new administration plans to reduce student loans by forcing colleges to cut tuition fees and introducing new repayment methods.
  • Loans given to students will depend on family income, possible future earnings, courses and other factors. For instance students who plan to pursue liberal arts majors in non-elite institution are less likely to receive a study loans.

• Introduce income based repayment system which will allow students to pay according to their earnings. This policy seems to be backed by both parties.
• Study loans are proposed to be given out by private banks.
• The new administration plans to fight against free public education, and free community college education.
• Ending the tax-exempt status of colleges and universities with large endowments that do not use those funds to cut tuition rates. Colleges need "to spend endowments on their students, not themselves. They need to use that money to cut the college debt and cut tuition, and they have to do it quickly” according to Trump’s statement.

Risks and uncertainty

Much like Brexit, the uncertainty in the US post the presidential election is at the highest levels imaginable. Much of Trump’s policies remain unclear. No detailed plans have been laid out. No one knows exactly what the republican government will do, especially now that the republican party won the House of Representatives, the Senates, and the White House.

With the intention extreme and hostile immigration laws against foreigners, international students will be effected by such laws. They are expected to face a tough time entering the US in the next 4 or possibly 8 years.

As a result, this could put further attention on countries like Canada, Australia and other countries in Asia and Europe.

It has been only two days since the results of the presidential election and the unrest has already started. Protests against the new administration is spreading across the US. Racial tension is more prevalent than it has been in the last 8 years. More unrest on college campuses and among students is expected.