Christian Colleges Warn Trump Education Reform Could Threaten Ministry Training Programs

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Presidents of Christian colleges and seminaries are raising concerns over a provision tucked inside President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy package, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” warning it could severely impact students preparing for ministry and religious vocations.

In an interview with The Christian Post, leaders from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) said Section 84001 of the legislation — known as the “Do No Harm” provision — could jeopardize federal student loan access for thousands pursuing degrees in theology, ministry, missions, and religious studies.

The provision amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 by restricting federally subsidized student loans for programs deemed to produce “low-earning outcomes.” Under the measure, the U.S. Department of Education would analyze IRS income data four years after graduation to determine whether graduates earn more than the average salary of 24- to 32-year-olds in their state.

If a program fails the earnings test for two consecutive years, students would no longer qualify for federal loans tied to that degree path. An additional rule states that if more than half of an institution’s programs are classified as failing, the entire school could lose eligibility for Title IV federal funding.

According to preliminary Department of Education data shared with The Christian Post, 53.3% of Title IV students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in religion and religious studies would fall into failing programs under the formula. For master’s degree programs in those fields, the number climbs to 89.4%.

ABHE President Philip Dearborn argued the legislation fails to account for the spiritual calling that motivates many ministry students.

“Students aren’t attending our institutions with the exclusive singular goal of getting a high-paying job,” Dearborn told The Christian Post. “They’re responding to God’s call in their life.”

He emphasized that many graduates enter pastoral ministry, missionary work, youth ministry, or nonprofit service — fields historically driven more by calling than financial reward.

“Often times, people are responding to God’s call to be a pastor, to be a youth pastor, to be a missionary and they’re not in it to make money,” Dearborn said.

The ABHE, which oversees 165 institutions serving more than 86,000 students, organized a lobbying effort on Capitol Hill last week, bringing 21 college presidents to Washington to meet with lawmakers from both parties.

Dearborn estimated that between 50 and 60 meetings took place with senators and members of Congress. He said many lawmakers were unaware the provision would disproportionately affect Christian higher education.

“We suggested some legislative fixes that they could do,” he explained, including exemptions for religious institutions or for students pursuing religious studies degrees.

The Department of Education is expected to notify schools of failing programs by January 1, 2027. Programs that fail a second consecutive year could lose access to federal loan funding shortly afterward.

Christian education leaders warn the long-term consequences could be unprecedented for seminaries and Bible colleges across the United States, particularly smaller institutions dependent on federal aid participation.

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