There has only been a 24.24% increase in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) monthly student earned income exclusion cap between 2002 and 2024. Notably, working student income and necessary expenses have gone up significantly since then. Tuition and required fees have increased immensely, going from roughly $8,000 to $13,600 according to the NCES. With a considerably low exclusion change relative to inflation, students thus have to report more income, leading to a greater loss of benefits with a bigger financial impact today.