Unpacking the Ripple Effect: How Trump-Era Policies Reshaped Massachusetts Higher Education
The policies enacted during the Trump administration left a significant mark on higher education in Massachusetts. These wide-ranging impacts included substantial funding cuts, a reduction in essential student support services, and a noticeable decline in international student enrollment. These critical issues were brought to light during a legislative hearing by the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion, where a diverse group of higher education officials and students shared their experiences and concerns.
Officials and educators across Massachusetts pointed to a specific array of federal decisions that targeted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, international student visas, food assistance programs, and financial aid. The collective testimony revealed that these policies had a particularly harsh and disproportionate effect on already vulnerable student populations, causing considerable disruption to daily operations at institutions throughout the state.
International Student Enrollment Plummets Across Massachusetts
Universities across Massachusetts have reported alarming drops in their international student populations. For instance, Fitchburg State University observed a 30 to 40% decrease in new international student admissions. The Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) faced a similar challenge, losing 35% of its international graduate students for the Fall 2025 academic year, according to reports.
Adding to these concerns, Michelle Tufau Afriyie from Quinsigamond Community College highlighted substantial delays in visa processing and a growing difficulty for students to secure embassy appointments. These bureaucratic hurdles have directly impacted enrollment figures and significantly reduced institutional revenue.
The economic contribution of international students is undeniable. A report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators revealed that over 82,000 international students injected an estimated $3.9 billion into the Massachusetts economy and sustained more than 35,000 jobs during the 2023–2024 academic year alone, underscoring the broader economic implications of these enrollment declines.
Federal Crackdown on DEI Funding Creates Uncertainty
The Trump administration’s stance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs became clear with a “Dear Colleague” letter that cautioned state institutions about potential threats to federal funding if DEI initiatives continued. Nancy Niemi, President of Framingham State University, confirmed that institutions proactively consulted their legal teams and the state Attorney General rather than immediately altering programs, aiming to ensure ongoing compliance with existing legal frameworks.
Sabrina Gentlewarrior from Bridgewater State University voiced serious concerns, indicating that these federal directives could inadvertently deter students from underrepresented backgrounds from applying or continuing their studies, thus exacerbating existing inequities.
Minority-Serving Institutions Face Funding Losses, Impacting Hispanic Students
Further policy shifts during the Trump administration resulted in the termination of funding for most minority-serving institutions, with redirected support primarily allocated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges – institutions not present in Massachusetts. This strategic reallocation profoundly impacted Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), creating significant challenges for Latino students statewide.
Jorge Fanjul, representing Latinos for Education, highlighted the severe consequences of these changes, including freezes on vital programs, widespread staff reductions, and increased faculty burnout. These repercussions disproportionately affect Latino representation and opportunities within public colleges.
Rising Food Insecurity on Campuses Amid USDA and SNAP Reductions
Quinsigamond Community College experienced a direct impact from federal cuts to USDA programs, which slashed food bank supplies by a staggering 7,000 pounds, equivalent to more than 6,300 meals. Michelle Tufau Afriyie explicitly connected this surge in campus food insecurity to broader reductions in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, revealing a distressing 60% increase in demand for the college’s food pantry compared to the prior year.
Federal Grants Disappear, Leading to Staff Layoffs and Service Cuts
The consequences extended to a significant loss of federal grants. One such instance saw Quinsigamond Community College forfeit a $280,000 federal grant, ostensibly due to its DEI-related language. This loss directly led to the elimination of three staff positions and the unfortunate cancellation of crucial tutoring services. Intriguingly, a similar grant proposal, utilizing identical DEI language, was approved for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) support, creating considerable confusion and inconsistency regarding policy enforcement.
Graduate Students Confront New Borrowing Restrictions
Under new federal legislation from the Trump administration, the Graduate PLUS loan program was abolished. This updated law placed strict caps on total borrowing for graduate students: $100,000 for most fields, and $200,000 for those pursuing law and medical degrees.
Rob McCarron, President of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, noted that these changes have severely constrained students’ financial options. Many are now compelled to seek private lenders, typically incurring higher interest rates and greater financial burden.
Massachusetts Colleges Explore Alternative Funding in Response to Federal Cuts
As federal funding dwindles, institutions like Roxbury Community College are actively seeking alternative solutions. The college is working to secure private support to ensure the continuation of its valuable paid internship programs. College President Dr. Jonathan K. Jefferson indicated that collaborations with private donors or state legislators might be essential to fund initiatives that promote economic mobility for their students.
Dr. Jefferson also pointed out that Massachusetts itself has reduced need-based stipends for community college students, adding another layer of difficulty to the crucial mission of retaining students with significant financial need.