Austin Slaughter
@austinslaughter.bsky.social
Higher ed researcher at a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization focused on economic mobility. East Texan.
ED will let students take out $200k of federal loans for a chiropractic or theology degree with average earnings of ~$60k but only $100k for a nursing or business degree with earnings over $120k
I took a quick look at the debt and earnings levels of programs that the negotiated rulemaking committee deemed "professional," as well as other large doctoral programs that were excluded (in spite of having better debt-to-earnings ratios).
robertkelchen.com/2025/11/10/e...
robertkelchen.com/2025/11/10/e...
November 10, 2025 at 7:14 PM
ED will let students take out $200k of federal loans for a chiropractic or theology degree with average earnings of ~$60k but only $100k for a nursing or business degree with earnings over $120k
Reposted by Austin Slaughter
It might seem that the federal education stats agency could easily be transferred to another cabinet dept if ED is closed. But not so straightforward. Why a move could degrade the quality of higher ed data. hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
Advocates warn of risks to higher ed data if Education Department is shuttered
But new hires and fresh research grants hint at a quiet rebuilding effort
hechingerreport.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
It might seem that the federal education stats agency could easily be transferred to another cabinet dept if ED is closed. But not so straightforward. Why a move could degrade the quality of higher ed data. hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
The parking lot of my auto shop has some egregious potholes, and I think this is what you would call a "conflict of interest"
November 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The parking lot of my auto shop has some egregious potholes, and I think this is what you would call a "conflict of interest"
Reposted by Austin Slaughter
"Ninety-five percent of the department’s employees who don’t work on federal student aid have been furloughed."
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Under McMahon, ED Is Diminished but Not Dead, Experts Say
Inside Higher Ed spoke with more than a dozen politicians, higher education experts and former department employees; their thoughts on the agency’s status varied, but many tried to remain hopeful.
www.insidehighered.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:36 PM
"Ninety-five percent of the department’s employees who don’t work on federal student aid have been furloughed."
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Reposted by Austin Slaughter
The USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
November 2, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
Reposted by Austin Slaughter
BOSTON (AP) — Judges order the federal government to use contingency funds for SNAP food aid payments during the shutdown.
October 31, 2025 at 6:07 PM
BOSTON (AP) — Judges order the federal government to use contingency funds for SNAP food aid payments during the shutdown.
If the administration wants to prevent student loan borrowers from receiving PSLF if they work for organizations engaged in supposedly illegal activity, why not use the proper legal channels to get such organizations shut down?
I wrote a quick piece on the Trump admin's newly published Public Service Loan Forgiveness rule that could limit some borrowers access to forgiveness even if they have spent ten years working in public service.
#StudentLoans
#PSLF
#StudentLoanForgiveness
www.forbes.com/sites/edward...
#StudentLoans
#PSLF
#StudentLoanForgiveness
www.forbes.com/sites/edward...
Trump Administration To Limit Public Service Loan Forgiveness For Some Borrowers
The Trump administration is rolling out a new rule that could limit student loan forgiveness for borrowers counting on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
www.forbes.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
If the administration wants to prevent student loan borrowers from receiving PSLF if they work for organizations engaged in supposedly illegal activity, why not use the proper legal channels to get such organizations shut down?
Reposted by Austin Slaughter
We wrote up a Brookings Post related to my recent paper with Ari Anisfeld, @drelizabethbell.bsky.social, and Dennis Kramer: www.brookings.edu/articles/how...
October 30, 2025 at 4:09 PM
We wrote up a Brookings Post related to my recent paper with Ari Anisfeld, @drelizabethbell.bsky.social, and Dennis Kramer: www.brookings.edu/articles/how...
There's a growing movement to get "some college, no degree" students to reenroll and complete their degrees
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Illinois Launches Effort to Re-Enroll Adult Learners
Illinois has launched a statewide effort to re-enroll students who stopped out of college, in partnership with ReUp Education, a company focused on recruiting and supporting adult learners, according ...
www.insidehighered.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
There's a growing movement to get "some college, no degree" students to reenroll and complete their degrees
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
This is a nice summary of a recent Brookings panel on student loan limits, including a link to a recording of the panel
www.brookings.edu/articles/stu...
www.brookings.edu/articles/stu...
Student loan limits: Takeaways from a recent Brookings panel | Brookings
www.brookings.edu
October 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
This is a nice summary of a recent Brookings panel on student loan limits, including a link to a recording of the panel
www.brookings.edu/articles/stu...
www.brookings.edu/articles/stu...
It's noteworthy this NCAN guidance for mixed-status families filling out the FAFSA does *not* confidently encourage such families to fill out the form, citing that ED can provide information from the form to immigration enforcement
www.ncan.org/news/713255/...
www.ncan.org/news/713255/...
Updated FAFSA Guidance for Mixed-Status Families
As FAFSA completion season is well underway, NCAN continues to hear questions about how best to support students from mixed-status families.
www.ncan.org
October 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
It's noteworthy this NCAN guidance for mixed-status families filling out the FAFSA does *not* confidently encourage such families to fill out the form, citing that ED can provide information from the form to immigration enforcement
www.ncan.org/news/713255/...
www.ncan.org/news/713255/...
The latest round of layoffs at ED has been blocked by a federal judge. The Supreme Court will likely give a green light to the layoffs, though, just as they did with the March round of layoffs.
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Federal Judge Indefinitely Blocks Trump’s Latest Layoffs
A federal district court judge indefinitely blocked President Trump’s most recent round of staff cuts Tuesday, saying his actions were likely unlawful and that the plaintiffs had a good case for argui...
www.insidehighered.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM
The latest round of layoffs at ED has been blocked by a federal judge. The Supreme Court will likely give a green light to the layoffs, though, just as they did with the March round of layoffs.
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
The grad school loan caps in OBBBA seem half-baked to me
I'm not opposed to some version of caps, but:
-100k versus 200k is a big/rough difference
-the distinctions are untethered to earnings and value to taxpayers
-there's no recognition of variation in quality across programs within a field
I'm not opposed to some version of caps, but:
-100k versus 200k is a big/rough difference
-the distinctions are untethered to earnings and value to taxpayers
-there's no recognition of variation in quality across programs within a field
ED Panel Prepares to Settle Student Loan Caps
Talks over which graduate programs qualify for more loans resume next week. The Education Department and higher ed negotiators remain far apart on the best solution.
www.insidehighered.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:16 PM
The grad school loan caps in OBBBA seem half-baked to me
I'm not opposed to some version of caps, but:
-100k versus 200k is a big/rough difference
-the distinctions are untethered to earnings and value to taxpayers
-there's no recognition of variation in quality across programs within a field
I'm not opposed to some version of caps, but:
-100k versus 200k is a big/rough difference
-the distinctions are untethered to earnings and value to taxpayers
-there's no recognition of variation in quality across programs within a field
The administration wants to make dramatic cuts to adult education, which would be harmful to community colleges
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The Little-Known Way That Trump Is Upending Community College
The administration’s plan to cut millions in adult-education funding runs counter to its goal of addressing work-force needs, program leaders say. The government cites “dismal results.”
www.chronicle.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The administration wants to make dramatic cuts to adult education, which would be harmful to community colleges
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Austin Slaughter
Past administrations used #SNAP contingency funds to prevent benefit gaps. Despite clear legal authority, the current Administration refuses to do, putting 1 in 8 people in the U.S. who need SNAP to afford their grocery bill. www.cbpp.org/research/foo...
SNAP’s Contingency Reserve Is Available for Regular SNAP Benefits, as USDA and OMB Have Ruled in Past
The Administration must use all available options to fund November benefits for the 1 in 8 people in the U.S. who need SNAP to afford their grocery bill.
www.cbpp.org
October 27, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Past administrations used #SNAP contingency funds to prevent benefit gaps. Despite clear legal authority, the current Administration refuses to do, putting 1 in 8 people in the U.S. who need SNAP to afford their grocery bill. www.cbpp.org/research/foo...
Fun comparison: if LSU put this $54 million into expanded supports for students, it would probably produce about 400 additional college graduates
Paying $54 million to make a college football coach go away doesn't even seem like that big of a deal at this point.
Sources: Kelly told of LSU's plan to dismiss him
LSU coach Brian Kelly was informed of the school's intention to dismiss him on Sunday, a day after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, and the program is expected to inform the team of this deve...
www.espn.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Fun comparison: if LSU put this $54 million into expanded supports for students, it would probably produce about 400 additional college graduates
I had been wondering if the attacks on DEI in higher education would come for male-focused initiatives
I guess the answer is "yes"
I guess the answer is "yes"
Some colleges appear to have lost TRIO funding for either explicitly trying to increase male enrollment or being housed in DEI-related units.
Trump’s DEI Crackdown Closes 120 TRIO Programs
Multiple programs had their grants terminated for saying they hoped to enroll roughly equal numbers of male and female students, leaving high schoolers without college-access resources at the start of...
www.insidehighered.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:38 PM
I had been wondering if the attacks on DEI in higher education would come for male-focused initiatives
I guess the answer is "yes"
I guess the answer is "yes"
Reposted by Austin Slaughter
Research firms continue to shed talented staff—even after the far-reaching cuts earlier this year. Just this week, there have been announcements of significant layoffs at RAND and Mathematica.
October 23, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Research firms continue to shed talented staff—even after the far-reaching cuts earlier this year. Just this week, there have been announcements of significant layoffs at RAND and Mathematica.
This blog post from CCRC covers state funding for dual enrollment, including funding levels, funding mechanism (grants vs. formula), and funding flow (through K-12 or direct to college)
ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/easyblog/how...
ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/easyblog/how...
How Do States Fund Community College Dual Enrollment?
Read detailed data on each state's funding models and mechanisms for their dual enrollment programs in this blog post.
ccrc.tc.columbia.edu
October 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
This blog post from CCRC covers state funding for dual enrollment, including funding levels, funding mechanism (grants vs. formula), and funding flow (through K-12 or direct to college)
ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/easyblog/how...
ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/easyblog/how...
What Should Research at the Ed. Dept. Look Like? The Field Weighs In share.google/CK4UyCnjg8Bz...
What Should Research at the Ed. Dept. Look Like? The Field Weighs In
The agency requested input on the Institute of Education Sciences' future. More than 400 comments came in.
share.google
October 22, 2025 at 11:40 PM
What Should Research at the Ed. Dept. Look Like? The Field Weighs In share.google/CK4UyCnjg8Bz...
Good new brief estimating that 26% of federal loan borrowers will exceed the new loan limits, and they will do so by about $22,000 per year on average
www.american.edu/spa/peer/upl...
www.american.edu/spa/peer/upl...
October 22, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Good new brief estimating that 26% of federal loan borrowers will exceed the new loan limits, and they will do so by about $22,000 per year on average
www.american.edu/spa/peer/upl...
www.american.edu/spa/peer/upl...
Reposted by Austin Slaughter
Trump Gutted the Institute of Education Sciences. Its Renewal Is in Doubt.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Trump Gutted IES. Skepticism of Its Renewal Abounds.
The Education Department recently requested ideas on how to “modernize” the data collection and education research funding agency, and it sought to hire for a few positions.
www.insidehighered.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Trump Gutted the Institute of Education Sciences. Its Renewal Is in Doubt.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Reposted by Austin Slaughter
I added Swarthmore to the tracker.
October 17, 2025 at 11:26 AM
I added Swarthmore to the tracker.
I suspect future students pursuing grad programs that currently put students into more than $100k of debt will counterintuitively be the *winners* of the new cap on debt because the price of those programs will come down and be subsidized by price increases for cheaper programs*
ICYMI: While we wait for the next neg reg session, check out our latest on defining graduate education. Negotiators should keep the “professional student” definition narrow to stop students from taking on unnecessary debt. ⬇️ www.thirdway.org/blog/profess...
Third Way
www.thirdway.org
October 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I suspect future students pursuing grad programs that currently put students into more than $100k of debt will counterintuitively be the *winners* of the new cap on debt because the price of those programs will come down and be subsidized by price increases for cheaper programs*
Reposted by Austin Slaughter
The Institute of Education Sciences: 22 Years of Helping States, Districts, and Educators Make Informed Decisions www.alicoalition.org/blog/the-ins...
The Institute of Education Sciences: 22 Years of Helping States, Districts, and Educators Make Informed Decisions - Alliance For Learning Innovation
www.alicoalition.org
October 15, 2025 at 10:38 PM
The Institute of Education Sciences: 22 Years of Helping States, Districts, and Educators Make Informed Decisions www.alicoalition.org/blog/the-ins...