Source: "What It Would Mean to Abolish the U.S. Department of Education" - Education Next
Recently, President Donald Trump has spoken out about trying to dismantle the Department of Education (ED). This federal agency mainly focuses on giving out financial aid to those in need. The agency helps to promote equality to students and teachers alike that have disabilities. It also helps to provide schooling for children who are homeless or those from low income families. The ED provides low income schools with necessary resources so that students can all have the same opportunities to learn. The department also gives out money for student loans. Every year, it gives out billions of dollars to different colleges and schools.
Even if Trump does close down the Department of Education, the organization’s duties won’t go away, they’ll just get transferred to another agency that will have to do them instead. President Donald Trump has yet to list out his ideas for how to manage student debt and is focused on trying to close the Department of Education. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid wouldn’t be impacted by this because it will just cause employees to just move and work under a different agency.
Because the ED was created by the Congress, Trump doesn’t have the power to dismantle it by himself. In order to shut it down, Congress would have to create a law to abolish it. Congress could also pass a Legislation which would change the functions of the ED.
Nevertheless, Student Aid will stay, no matter what happens because there are laws put in place to keep financial aid safe. However, due to there having to be layoffs at the Federal Student Aid Office, many people who’ve previously worked there have been lost. This could have an effect on students trying to get aid because of a lack of people working. As long as the program stays around, student loans and financial aid will continue to be an option for students who need it.