Christian higher education institutions are facing potential financial penalties under President Trump’s proposed ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’, which could penalize colleges whose graduates choose service careers over high-paying jobs. The legislation, which has sparked significant debate, proposes to evaluate colleges based on graduate earnings compared to high school dropouts, potentially devaluing degrees in service-oriented fields.
The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ has been criticized as a form of economic discrimination against purpose-driven education. Under the proposed measures, Christian colleges would face millions in penalties simply because their students pursue careers in ministry, social work, and teaching, despite the social impact these fields have on society. The bill also includes provisions that would limit loan access for first-generation, low-income students, eliminate Grad PLUS loans, reduce parent aid, and restrict Pell Grant access for part-time students, further exacerbating the financial strain on vulnerable populations.
Additionally, faith-based institutions not tied to a denomination could lose key religious exemptions under new tax language, an attack on religious liberty disguised as tax reform. This has raised alarm among religious leaders and educators, who argue that such policies threaten the very foundation of what these institutions stand for.
Pastor Corey Brooks, a prominent figure in the Fox News opinion section, has voiced strong criticism of the bill, calling it an unfair attack on Christian higher education. He argues that the legislation punishes institutions that serve the public by preparing graduates for meaningful work, not just high-paying careers. Brooks highlights the importance of Christian colleges in training leaders for ministry, mission work, mental health, and community transformation, emphasizing that they are not elite institutions but rather vital lighthouses in society’s darkest corners.
Brooks points out that many students at Christian colleges come from families earning under $50,000 per year and rely on Pell Grants and other financial aid. He urges Congress to provide pathways for these students to flourish rather than exacerbate the financial barriers they already face. The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ has been criticized as a beauty in name only, potentially causing significant harm and choking the pipeline of hope that flows from classrooms to communities across the country.
The legislation’s provisions raise concerns about its impact on religious liberty and the value of service-oriented education in a society increasingly focused on economic gain. Brooks calls for a reevaluation of the bill’s implications, urging decision-makers to consider the broader societal impact of their policies.