Core Points - The article discusses the significant increase in back-to-school expenses for American families due to rising prices of essential items and the impact of tariffs on imported goods [1][4][5] Group 1: Price Increases - The average price of typical back-to-school supplies has risen by 7.3%, nearly three times the overall inflation rate over the past year [4] - Specific items have seen substantial price increases, such as index cards (42.6%), notebooks (17.1%), binders (12.8%), and folders (12.7%) [4] - The cost of preparing lunches for children is expected to increase by $163 compared to the previous school year, with food prices rising significantly since Trump's administration [4] Group 2: Impact of Tariffs - New tariffs on imported goods, particularly from China, have led to increased prices for school supplies, with a 30% tariff on ordinary goods entering the U.S. [3][4] - The price of laptops and tablets has nearly doubled, forcing some school districts to abandon a quarter of their planned updates due to costs rising from $650 to $1200 [5] - Clothing and footwear prices are also affected, with many items facing tariffs of 20% or more, leading to a 1.4% increase in shoe prices and a 0.1% increase in clothing prices in July [5] Group 3: Educational Costs - The "Big and Beautiful" bill signed by Trump has reduced federal aid for students, including cuts to meal subsidies and federal loans for college students, which may lead to increased educational costs [5][6] - A survey indicated that 61% of college students feel the impact of the new loan policies, with over a third considering canceling their plans for further education [6][7] - The hostile policies towards international students have resulted in a 13% drop in enrollment, further exacerbating the financial pressure on domestic students [7]