Biden targets textbooks in his war on ‘junk fees.’ But it’s students who will pay the cost.
Justin H. Lonon
May 28, 2024
When it comes to changing the programs that help make college more affordable for students, it isn’t about ‘junk fees’ – it’s just junk policy.
Outrage from legions of Beyoncé and Taylor Swift fans about hidden concert ticket fees helped spark a national conversation around “junk fees.” It has even filtered into the 2024 election cycle.
The term is now being used on the campaign trail to describe everything from hotel amenity charges (annoying) to the cost of title insurance on a home mortgage (valuable). And while we all appreciate the importance of fighting back against hidden fees specifically designed to skim more money off the backs of hardworking Americans, some of the costs being labeled as “junk” by politicians actually help consumers save money.
Case in point: The federal government now wants to label college textbooks as “junk fees” and take action to upend popular programs that automatically provide students with their required course materials at a steep discount.
