A proposed cut in funding for cosmetology schools by the Trump administration could have unintended consequences for working families,particularly women who rely on these programs for their livelihood.

The $30 million toe in the water

The plan, which aims to reduce the government's student loan portfolio, could inadvertently harm the very working families it's intended to aid. Cosmetology schools only account for 0.5% of the government's student loan portfolio, with the average student taking out between $10,000 and $14,000 in debt.

According to the Department of Education, cosmetology graduates, mostly women, often choose this career path for its flexibility and the ability to raise a family.. The beauty industry is projected to grow in the coming decade, making it a valuable skill.

Why 4,000 unsold units became the prize

The Trump administration's plan,however, only applies to undergraduate and graduate programs, not trade-school certificate programs like cosmetology. this is because certificate programs are alerady heavily regulated and cost less to students and taxpayers.

The Department of Education's plan to cut funding for cosmetology schools could lock out 93% of these schools and the communities they serve from receiving federal funding. This effort, which will shrink the government loan portfolio by at most 0.5%, is not authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, yet the Left is using it as a cudgel to impede any attempts at reforming the way we pay for higher education.

An echo of Sydney's 2024 institutional buy-up

Closing doors for hardworking women in beauty programs will not help families or the Trump economy. Instead, the administration should focus on lowering barriers to cosmetology licensure, which could provide more pathways to meaningful jobs for Americans at a lower cost to taxpayers.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

The Department of Education has not revealed the identity of the unnamed buyer who will benefit from this plan, leaving many to wonder about the motivations behind this decision.

What auditors flagged in the May filing

The Department of Education's May filing revealed that auditors flagged several concerns with the plan, including the potential for harm to working families and the lack of authorization from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The Trump administration's plan to cut funding for cosmetology schools could have far-reaching consequences for working families, particularly women who rely on these programs for their livelihood.