A new federal law included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is reducing financial aid for part-time college students across Connecticut.
The legislation, which went into effect this month, dictates that students taking half of a full course load now only qualify for half of their previous loan amounts.
Officials at Goodwin University in East Hartford expressed concern because more than 80 percent of their student population attends classes part-time.
These federal loans are vital for non-traditional learners as they cover costs beyond tuition, including textbooks and lab kits.
Goodwin University President Mark Scheinberg highlighted the razor-thin margin many students face when funding their education.
Pointing to the potential for increased withdrawals, Scheinberg noted that even a small reduction in aid can be a decisive factor for enrollment.
“It’s a small amount, but it’s enough of an amount that students simply can’t come without it,” Scheinberg said according to NBC Connecticut.
The university president also emphasized that the school’s flexible programs help educate approximately 20 percent of the nursing workforce in the state.
Scheinberg described the support for these students as both a personal and regional economic necessity.
“It’s an investment in them, but it’s also an investment in the state,” the president stated per the outlet.
Senior student Ari Espada, who is currently pursuing a degree in professional studies while working full-time, spoke about the added pressure.
Espada explained the difficulty of managing a career alongside academic goals, such as his plan to attend graduate school.
“It’s a struggle to kind of keep the balance between life at Goodwin and then this whole separate life that I have outside of Goodwin,” Espada remarked.
University administrators are currently reviewing scholarship options and providing academic counseling to help students bridge the funding gap.
Espada concluded that despite the current financial uncertainty, providing access to higher learning remains essential for the future.
“I think that investment in education should always be a priority,” the student said.