How to navigate policy challenges and show support for your trans students

Transgender students often face unique challenges in their educational journey. Recent federal and state policy changes have only heightened the challenges these students face, creating new barriers—from restrictions on gender-affirming care to complications with financial aid—that make navigating college even more difficult.

In this blog, I’ll explore three major challenges trans students face and offer four things institutions can do to improve the college experience for trans students by reducing barriers.

Download EAB’s Primer on Navigating Federal Policy Changes and Safeguarding DEI on Your Campus

3 major challenges trans students face in higher ed

1. Rapidly changing federal policies create uncertainty

Recent executive orders have directly impacted trans students’ ability to access resources and feel safe on campus. These policies also take a deep psychological toll, making students feel like their identity is not recognized or valued by their own country, which can severely impact mental health and sense of belonging. For example:

• Restricting gender identity recognition: A January 2025 order mandates that federal agencies interpret “sex” as binary, creating barriers for trans students updating FAFSA information or accessing gender-affirming care.
• Eliminating DEI programs: The removal of federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs has left many trans students without critical support systems, such as mentorship programs and safe spaces.
• Limiting gender-affirming care: A January 2025 order prohibits federal funding for gender-affirming care for individuals under 19, raising concerns for college students relying on campus healthcare. A federal judge temporarily blocked this order but the Trump administration plans to appeal, leaving the policy’s future uncertain.

These policies have made safety and access to care a key consideration for trans students when applying to college, often steering them toward schools, where protections and access to care are more secure.

2. Inclusive and restrictive State policies complicate college choice among transgender students

This underscores a larger reality: state policies don’t just affect students once they’re on campus—they actively shape where trans students feel safe applying in the first place. State-level variability often shapes trans students’ college decisions in ways that other students may not have to consider. For example:

•  Inclusive states: States like Massachusetts and Illinois offer robust anti-discrimination laws, gender-affirming care protections, and inclusive campus policies, making them top choices for trans students. However, for those who don’t already live in these states, attending college there often means paying significantly higher out-of-state tuition, adding a financial burden just to access a safe and supportive environment.
• Restrictive states: States like Florida and Texas have passed laws targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, creating hostile environments that deter trans students from applying to colleges there. While staying in-state may be more affordable, students in these regions often face a difficult choice: remain in an environment where their rights and well-being may be at risk or take on the additional financial strain of relocating to a state where they can safely be themselves.

For many trans students, the cost of safety is not just emotional but financial, forcing them to weigh the long-term impact of student debt against their basic need for security and access to care.

3. Trans students face greater obstacles in the financial aid process

UCLA’s Williams Institute reported that nearly 19% of transgender freshmen express concern at their ability to afford college, as opposed to 12% in the national sample. Navigating financial aid is already challenging for students, but trans students face additional barriers that could deter them from attending college altogether.

• Gender marker discrepancies: The requirement for FAFSA applicants’ gender markers to match Social Security Administration (SSA) records has been a longstanding policy. Historically, discrepancies between the gender information on a student’s FAFSA and their SSA records could lead to processing delays and additional verification steps. However, recent federal actions have intensified challenges for transgender students:
  • Executive Order 14168: Signed on January 20, 2025, this order mandates that all federal agencies define sex strictly as male or female, based on immutable biological characteristics. It also prohibits the inclusion of gender identity options on federal forms.
  • FAFSA Form Changes: In alignment with this executive order, the Department of Education announced in February 2025 the removal of the “nonbinary” gender identification option from the FAFSA form. Applicants are now required to select either “male” or “female,” which must correspond with their SSA records.
  • SSA Policy Update: As of January 31, 2025, the SSA has ceased processing requests to change gender markers on Social Security records. This policy change prevents transgender individuals from updating their SSA records to reflect their gender identity, leading to potential mismatches with other federal documents, including the FAFSA.
• Dependency overrides: Some trans students are estranged from unsupportive families, making it difficult to provide the parental financial information required by FAFSA. While students in these situations can request a dependency override—a financial aid provision that allows them to be considered independent due to unusual circumstances—the process is often complicated, varies by institution, and requires extensive documentation, creating barriers that can delay or even prevent access to much-needed aid.Recent updates under the FAFSA Simplification Act have improved this process by requiring schools to assess requests on a case-by-case basis and introducing a provisional independent student status for the 2024-2025 FAFSA cycle, allowing students to submit their application without parental information while awaiting a decision. Despite these improvements, the process still requires documentation and varies by institution, which can present challenges for students seeking overrides. Trans students, in particular, may face additional hurdles if institutions lack clear policies.

• Limited access to institutional and state aid: Students who relocate to more inclusive states for safety may face higher out-of-state tuition and lose eligibility for in-state financial aid programs. Additionally, some restrictive states have begun implementing policies that bar financial aid for students who do not conform to specific gender definitions, further limiting options for trans students.
• Scholarship gaps: Many traditional scholarships require documentation—such as parental tax records or legal forms like birth certificates and state-issued IDs—that may list a gender marker inconsistent with the student’s identity. For trans students who cannot update these documents or are estranged from their families, these requirements can create additional hurdles to accessing much-needed financial aid.

For many trans students, securing financial aid isn’t just about funding their education—it’s about overcoming systemic hurdles that make attending college more difficult, costly, and emotionally taxing than it is for their peers.

How to bolster support for trans students

In the current climate of rapidly evolving policies and increasing scrutiny on diversity and inclusion initiatives, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed. However, the importance of supporting trans students on campus cannot be overstated., institutions play a crucial role in ensuring trans students feel safe, supported, and valued.

Here are 4 key areas you can focus on today to take meaningful action:

1. Ensure inclusive and affirming mental health support

Trans students experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Colleges must offer mental health services tailored to their needs, including:

• Culturally competent counseling: Train staff to address the unique challenges trans students face.
• Peer support networks: facilitate mentorship programs to foster a sense of belonging.

Learn More About LGBTQ+ Students’ Mental Health and Well-Being in This Blog

2. Advocate for inclusive campus policies

Colleges can create safer environments by adopting policies such as:

• Implement at least one gender-neutral or all-gender restroom in every campus building.
• Ensure all new construction and major renovations include gender-neutral restroom facilities.
• Provide clear signage and campus maps indicating locations of gender neutral BRs
• Train residence life staff on gender-inclusive policies and how to address potential conflicts or concerns from other students.
• Allow students to use their chosen names and pronouns on records and IDs.
  • As of January 9, 2025, a federal district judge in Kentucky struck down the Biden administration’s Title IX regulation that expanded protections for transgender students. This ruling invalidates the federal requirement for schools to use students’ preferred names and pronouns. However, there is still no federal law explicitly prohibiting schools from using names and pronouns that correspond with a student’s gender identity.

Read More on How Universities Can Advance Student Belonging for Underrepresented Students

3. Simplify financial aid processes

Institutions can help trans students navigate FAFSA complexities by:

• Providing guidance: Offer workshops on updating gender markers and applying for dependency overrides.
• Highlighting state-specific aid: Help students identify scholarships and grants available in inclusive states.

4. Monitor and respond to policy changes

Colleges must stay informed about federal and state policy shifts affecting trans students. By providing timely updates and actionable strategies, institutions can ensure compliance while continuing to support and advocate for their trans students.

Building a better future for trans students

Without active engagement and support, trans students are far less likely to persist. Streamlining administrative processes, advocating for inclusive policies, and implementing additional safeguards, are all ways institutions can help trans students feel safe, supported, and empowered to succeed. By taking these steps, we can create a future where all students, regardless of gender identity, feel safe, supported, and empowered to achieve their academic goals.