In the US at least, the further right you go, the more strict the constitution and laws are interpreted

This is a myth conservatives want you to believe. In reality, they use the constitution and laws to protect but not bind themselves, while at the same time to bind but not protect others. In the state of Virginia today access to pornographic sites without ID verification was made illegal by Republicans. This example or any of the BS Desantis has pulled recently in Florida shows when aligned with their goals there is no hesitation to pass anti-constitutional measures.

In the case of student loans - public education helps the out group, so any justification (constitutional or otherwise) will be used to attack it.

It's basically what you said, but put another way:

Strict interpretation allows the interpreter to ignore obvious context or intent in bad faith. It's a way of shrugging off ambiguity in order to defend a status quo that they prefer.