The largest-ever class of high school seniors — 3.9 million students — is set to graduate just as colleges face major upheaval due to sweeping federal funding cuts, The New York Times reports. To save money, many campuses are reducing services and implementing hiring freezes. There are concerns that the turmoil could stifle international student enrollment, a vital revenue source for colleges. President Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Education Department have also put federal student loans and Pell Grants in limbo.
Students are not considered "households" for the purpose of demographics, but they will be once they depart college in a few years.
They will need housing, amongst other things - ust as the 40 year high in multifamily real estate construction is coming to an end later this year. It takes 2 - 4 years to get apartments delivered in some markets - or longer. And that is in a favorable financing market where development pencils.
"Colleges are expecting what could be the largest freshman class ever this fall at a moment of extraordinary turmoil, as campuses face financial pressures from the federal government and political conflict over diversity and other cultural issues."
"Colleges are expecting what could be the largest freshman class ever this fall at a moment of extraordinary turmoil, as campuses face financial pressures from the federal government and political conflict over diversity and other cultural issues."
It's good news - about the demographic dip shifting in our favor - but who is going to disconnect our High School students from an algorithmic narrative that "College is expensive" and "Everyone has to take out loans forever" and that they don't need a trade certificate, apprenticeship, or progressive journey to find a career that opens access having a family, a home, and a life doing something that is important to the community?
Simplest act - get rid of the narrative telling them bad things about the future on all levels. Stop the algorithm. Block the lies. Expect more profound responsibility from TikTok, Meta, and all social media businesses if they really want to call themselves new journalism. Because right now it seems like these social media outlets just want to take big money in advertising clicks to tell our precious kids and teens they are broken, can't do anything, and it's useless to try.
I can't abide that as a Student Success Professional.
Might consider - if able - to take a year off after high school or college , and give back while exploring the world. Retrospectively, I wish I had done that before pursuing my professional passion. I will encourage my daughter to do that. I often wish I could time-travel and talk to the younger me. I would say, “Dude, just chill out and keep trying your best”.
A U.S. Department of Education report breaks down the impact of federal education funding across the country through detailed state profiles. The numbers tell a powerful story: more than 900,000 students in California receive Pell Grants, while in Alabama, federal funding supports over 60% of K-12 students in schools serving students from low-income backgrounds.
This report is a valuable tool for state leaders seeking data to highlight the impact of federal education funding—and the people and systems that make sure these resources reach the students who need them most.