Speak out against the proposed tax plan and its impact on higher education!

Missed our event? Find resources here!

Dear colleagues,

The tax proposal that passed the House of Representatives on November 16th included a $1.5 trillion corporate tax cut paid for by a number of provisions that harm students. This bill removes the Student Loan Interest Deduction and modifies the tax code so that tuition reductions become taxable income. Taxing tuition alone would triple many students’ taxes, making graduate school unaffordable except for the independently wealthy. The proposal currently up for debate on the Senate floor protects both the Student Loan Interest Deduction and the tax-exempt status of tuition reductions, but they remain vulnerable as the bill goes to the floor and, should it pass, proceed to a conference committee.

These two provisions, along with a tax on large university endowments included in both chambers’ tax bills, are troubling for higher education. We know the value of universities for our culture and our economy. In particular, we know that graduate students perform the teaching and research that powers our universities. Imposing more economic barriers on those pursuing advanced degrees will limit our ability to recruit individuals of diverse backgrounds and interests into the academy.

There will be a nationwide rally on Wednesday, Nov 29 at 1pm EST to support higher education and oppose the current tax bill. We hope you will join us here at Yale as we reach out to our members of Congress. Around campus, we’re hosting a number of phone banks and hope to provide you with information and assistance in contacting your congresspeople.    

When: Wednesday, Nov 29 at 1pm EST  

Where: Various locations around campus, including Science Hill, the Medical School, West Campus, Bass Library and more! For an updated map, click here.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions, or if you would like to get involved.

Sarah Smaga

PhD Candidate, Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry