Student loan rule would penalize graduates who enter ministry, Christian college leaders say

Christian college presidents are sounding the alarm about new federal regulations they say would cripple Christian higher education and effectively penalize students pursuing religious vocations.

The Department of Education’s proposal, known as the Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS), introduces an earnings premium test to determine federal loan eligibility for college programs. The rule — an implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted last year — is designed to protect students from low-earning degrees.