3. Financial aid overhaul
As part of Trump’s domestic policy agenda this year, Congress passed and Trump signed into law an overhaul of federal student financial aid.
For UW-Madison, the most significant changes involve the elimination of Grad PLUS Loans and limits to Parent PLUS Loans, effective next year. These federal programs paid for education expenses not covered by other financial aid, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Hundreds of UW-Madison students borrowed money through these loans in recent years, according to the university.
In May, leaders of Wisconsin’s public, private, technical and independent colleges and universities raised alarm over proposed changes to Pell Grants, which generally support low-income students. Those changes never materialized in the final bill, though.
Federal lawmakers also defunded SNAP-Ed, a grant program that teaches people how to live and eat healthily. UW-Madison’s Division of Extension received over $8 million each year to run FoodWIse and provide local nutrition education to Wisconsin communities.
In late July, the division sent layoff notices to 92 employees across the state, including four educators and one administrator in Dane County.
Locally, FoodWIse taught children and adults how to make healthy food choices at schools, senior centers and local community centers. FoodWIse also collaborated with food pantries, recreation and school programs.