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Trump is changing how people pay for school. Here's what you should know

President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending cuts package, the “big, beautiful bill” passed by Congress last summer, has brought and will continue to bring changes to paying for education. From expenses for K-12 to higher education loan repayment options and more, many of the shifts take effect soon. Here’s a guide to make sure you’re ready.

Tami Luhby, Sunlen Serfaty, Curt Merrill and Tal Yellin, photo By Tami Luhby, Sunlen Serfaty, Curt Merrill and Tal Yellin,

June 01, 2026

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Trump is changing how people pay for school. Here's what you should know

CNN • Tami Luhby, Sunlen Serfaty, Curt Merrill and Tal Yellin,

A new national scholarship tax-credit program could give more families a practical way to consider K–12 private and religious schools, including classical schools, beginning January 1, 2027. Though often described as a voucher, the program works through tax credits of up to $1,700 for qualified donations to approved scholarship organizations, creating a new pathway for public funds to help offset the cost of private education.

For parents drawn to a richer, more formative education but unsure whether they can afford it, this development is worth watching closely. Eligibility will depend on income, state participation, and scholarship availability, but the larger significance is clear: the school-choice landscape is expanding, and more families may soon have greater freedom to seek an education ordered toward wisdom, virtue, and human flourishing.

Tami Luhby, Sunlen Serfaty, Curt Merrill and Tal Yellin, photo

Tami Luhby, Sunlen Serfaty, Curt Merrill and Tal Yellin,

CNN