The Trump Administration has been withholding billions of dollars in federal education grants. Many public and private colleges have been affected by this recent suspension of aid, such as the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Harvard and Brown.
The suspension of millions of dollars towards research and grants has set back the progression of scientific research and led to budget cuts. According to the student newspaper at UCLA, the Daily Bruin, the freezing of funding on their campus has caused delays in research, adjustments to budget and a reduction in the workforce. In other cases, universities are facing lay-offs or are withholding the hiring of new staff. According to College and Career Pathway Advisor Kristine Nodarse-Hernandez, with less faculty and custodial staff, some people have to juggle multiple jobs.
To account for less financial flexibility, some colleges are even considering higher tuition costs. Although it is likely that student tuition will increase, California states cannot suddenly increase the tuition as they have to follow certain rules and undergo avenues before changes can be made, according to Nodarse-Hernandez.
As colleges adjust to recent changes in educational funding, students can find support through the resources offered on campus.
“Students can check the College and Career Center website for scholarships, special grants or any type of money opportunities,” Nodarse-Hernandez said. “Most colleges have money: they just need students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and decide where and who to allocate it to. Students should look for scholarships ahead of time, and once they know which college, they should try contacting their financial aid department or going to their website.”
