FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 16, 2017
Contacts: Sarah Schultz

Trump’s “Skinny” Budget Makes Deep Cuts to Higher Education and Job Programs

Today, the Trump Administration released its FY18 “skinny” budget, which deeply harms young adults’ economic security and drastically limits their access to higher education.

Reid Setzer, Young Invincibles’  Deputy Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs released the following statement:

“The Trump administration’s FY18 budget makes severe cuts to higher education, far deeper than any recently proposed. This includes slashing almost 4 billion dollars from the Pell Grant program, which helps nearly 8 million low- and moderate-income students access and afford college. This cut is fiscally irresponsible and will accelerate potential budget shortfalls in the program, as well as increase the financial burden on millions of young people buried under student debt. The budget also ignores bipartisan proposals to improve the program and lessen that burden, including reinstating Year-Round Pell.

Additionally, the Trump administration’s budget dramatically cuts funding for Federal Work Study, TRIO, and GEAR UP,  as well as eliminating the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant program all together. These programs, which open up access and support systems for low- and moderate-income students, have had decades of support from Congress, colleges, and higher education stakeholders. This is a clear indication that this administration is not committed to expanding opportunity or improving equity, especially for students of color.

The budget also makes vague cuts to job training and employment service grants and would eliminate AmeriCorps, further limiting options for young people looking to find work or serve their country. In an age where  a postsecondary degree or credential is necessary for achieving financial security, young people need pathways to quality education, training, and marketable skills to achieve the American dream. This budget cruelly pushes it farther away. We can and must do better, and call upon Congress to reject this vision for America’s future.”