One-third of parents say they can’t afford back-to-school supplies this year, and nearly half say they will cut back on everyday essentials like groceries to make ends meet
As millions of kids and families kick off the new school year, working families are feeling squeezed because basic school supplies like notebooks and pencils have become more expensive than ever in Donald Trump’s economy. The 2026-2027 school year will cost families nearly $4,000 per child. Trump’s policies, including his reckless tariffs and war with Iran, have hiked prices on everyday necessities like school supplies, forcing families to cut back on spending, dip even further into their savings, or take on extra debt.
Nearly half of parents plan to take on debt for back-to-school shopping. Almost 60% of parents with kids under 18 entered the back-to-school season with credit card debt, and 63% expect to add to their existing balance to help cover back-to-school expenses. Nearly half have opened or plan to open a new credit card or raise their credit limit just to pay for school supplies.
It isn’t just families feeling the pinch — teachers are facing those same skyrocketing prices as they spend hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets to stock their classrooms with basic supplies.
In response, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:
“Donald Trump has made life unaffordable for working families. Back-to-school shopping is more expensive than ever this year because of Trump’s reckless tariffs and war with Iran that have jacked up prices on even basic school supplies like pencils and notebooks and lunch boxes. Because of Trump, parents and teachers are pinching pennies to prepare for the new school year, and instead of bringing down costs, Trump’s economic agenda puts billionaires and big corporations first while working families pay the price at the checkout counter.”
Families can expect to spend nearly 8% more on school supplies alone this year, largely because of Trump’s tariffs and rising energy costs from Trump’s war with Iran. On top of that, as grocery prices remain sky-high, packed lunches could cost families nearly 11% more this year because of Trump’s policies.
For college students, moving costs, including cardboard boxes, shipping fees, and flights, are also up this fall, largely due to higher fuel prices as a result of Trump’s war with Iran.
