The Trump administration is actively advancing its agenda to significantly reduce or potentially eliminate the Education Department. This long-discussed initiative aligns with President Donald Trump’s campaign promise to restructure federal education oversight, although complete closure of the 45-year-old department would necessitate congressional approval. Reports indicate that the president is exploring avenues through executive orders to diminish the department’s influence, aiming to reshape how education is managed at the federal level.
In a recent interview on Fox News, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon confirmed that the president is determined to sign the executive order aimed at this goal, emphasizing that his intention to close the department is “crystal clear.” However, specific details regarding the timeline for these changes remain undisclosed, leaving many questions about the future of federal education policy.
Despite being the smallest federal agency, the Education Department oversees critical funding programs that support both K-12 education and higher education institutions. Its office of Federal Student Aid plays a pivotal role, distributing approximately $120 billion annually in grants and student loans to college students. The department also manages a staggering $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio, which includes overseeing repayment plans for nearly 43 million borrowers, making it essential to the financial stability of many students across the nation.
Assessing the Feasibility of Shutting Down the Education Department
To fully close the Education Department, the Trump administration would require broad support from Republican lawmakers across both chambers of Congress. This includes achieving a 60-vote majority in the Senate to bypass any filibuster efforts that might arise. However, the extent of changes that can be enacted through executive order remains ambiguous. A draft executive order reportedly directs Secretary McMahon to explore feasible steps to facilitate the closure of the department, as allowed by existing laws.
Experts remain skeptical about the possibility of significant structural changes to the distribution of student aid through an executive order. According to Preston Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, the legal framework governing these programs is embedded in legislation, which likely means judicial intervention if attempts are made to dismantle them through executive action. “I think people conflate closing the department with actually ending the programs that the department oversees,” Cooper explains, highlighting the nuanced issues at play.
Moreover, there appears to be less support, even among Republican lawmakers, for completely terminating the critical financial aid programs that assist millions of students each year. Instead, the GOP’s focus seems to be on dismantling what they perceive as an inefficient and unaccountable bureaucracy, rather than abolishing college financial aid altogether.
The administration’s strategy may involve redistributing various Education Department programs to other federal agencies. For instance, Project 2025—a framework proposed by conservative lobbyists—suggests transferring the student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department. Recently, Trump mentioned the possibility of moving oversight of federal student aid to the Small Business Administration, indicating a potential shift in how these programs are managed.
Public opinion appears to diverge from the administration’s plans, as recent polling indicates that many Americans favor increasing funding for the Education Department rather than dismantling it. A Morning Consult survey revealed a significant portion of the public desires enhanced funding for education, while a think tank study from New America found that only 26% of respondents support the notion of dismantling the department entirely.
Even if the Education Department remains operational, there are numerous avenues through which Trump and McMahon can curtail its power and influence, according to Edward Conroy, senior policy manager at New America. The administration has already initiated layoffs among Education Department staff and offered buyouts as part of a broader strategy to reduce workforce numbers. Reports indicate that approximately 300 employees accepted buyout offers recently, which could undermine the department’s effectiveness in the long run.
“When you eliminate people with that kind of experience, it’s really hard to replace,” Conroy warns. “While you can’t completely shutter the Department of Education without congressional action, significant operational harm can be inflicted on its ability to effectively serve students.” This underscores the potential consequences of workforce reductions and the loss of institutional knowledge within the agency.
Implications of Education Department Changes on Financial Aid Accessibility
Each year, over 17 million students complete the FAFSA, the essential first step in accessing federal grants, loans, state scholarships, and institutional aid. Once a student submits their application, it must be processed by the Education Department’s staff, who then forward the information to the respective colleges. These institutions are responsible for determining the financial aid package tailored to each student’s unique circumstances.
While the process may seem straightforward, experts highlight that managing financial aid requires deep technical expertise and a thorough understanding of complex systems and backend protocols. Preston Cooper points out that if the office of Federal Student Aid were to be relocated, it could lead to bureaucratic complications and delays in aid distribution. New staff members may face a steep learning curve, which could hinder the efficient processing of applications and disbursement of funds.
If the transition to a new agency does not encompass all financial aid functions, it could create additional obstacles for students. For instance, students might need to navigate multiple locations for assistance with different aspects of their financial aid, such as completing the FAFSA, signing the master promissory note for student loans, and managing loan repayments. “The financial aid system is complicated,” Conroy remarks, emphasizing the need for simplification rather than added complexity.
One particularly concerning proposal floated by experts is the idea of replacing the Federal Student Aid call center with artificial intelligence chatbots. This suggestion overlooks the nuanced and individualized nature of student inquiries, which can vary widely based on family circumstances and income levels. Sayda Martinez-Alvarado, a senior policy analyst for higher education at EdTrust, argues that such a shift would fail to meet the diverse needs of students seeking assistance.
Delays in communication regarding financial aid eligibility can profoundly impact students’ decisions about college attendance. Many already enrolled students depend on funding from Pell Grants and federal work-study programs to cover essential expenses, including tuition, food, transportation, and rent. The importance of timely financial aid notifications was evident during January’s brief federal funding freeze, which triggered widespread panic among students before the courts intervened to halt the move.
Additionally, both Conroy and Martinez-Alvarado cited the chaos that emerged from the FAFSA overhaul over the past two years. Nearly four years post-legislation aimed at simplifying the financial aid application process, the department’s rollout of the new form during the 2023-24 school year was riddled with delays and technical issues, complicating the application process for many students. “A lot of that had to do with not having enough manpower, so you can only imagine what is going to happen if capacity is cut even further,” Martinez-Alvarado warns.
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