‘Its really hard on us’: How the big beautiful bill is impacting college students

CHARLOTTE, NC –  College students like Howard University sophomore Judea Marvin say the big beautiful bill could make it harder for them to pursue higher education. 

 “I’ve seen a lot of uncertainty in like, low income students thinking about whether they should pursue their future anymore due to the bill,” Marvin said. 

 The bill,  which was signed into law on July 4 will impose new restrictions on federal student loans. 

Marvin said it could make it harder for low income students like her to afford college. 

“It’s just really sad because it just feels like their future is being taken away and it’s not fair.” 

Beginning July 1, 2026, students will not be able to borrow more than $257,000  total across all federal loan programs and during all years of postsecondary education. 

Marvin said she’s already feeling the financial  strain this semester and has seen a reduction of at least a thousand dollars in her Pell grant funding. 

 It affects me in a bigger way than the lawmakers think. I already really depended on the Pell grant and financial aid really heavily,” Marvin said. 

 Its  put her in jeopardy of not being able to take classes this semester  causing her to start a Go Fund me in hopes of raising enough money for tuition. 

 Marvin even  took her concerns to Capitol  Hill advocating for increases in student loan  funding.

 So doing the opposite was kind of like slamming the door in our face, or like taking away our future and our dreams.

Marvin, who dreams of attending law school says she wants lawmakers to know the bill is directly impacting students like her. 

“Its harder than they think because it’s something that we really depend on.” Marvin said.