Dear Roadie,
My social media feed is buzzing with speculation about the potential for the next administration to shut down the Department of Education. I have one student who just started her sophomore year in college and another who will be in college next year. We count on federal student loans and Pell Grants to afford college. If the department suddenly gets dismantled, how will that impact financial aid?
— Is The DOE Going to be DOA?
Dear TBD,
Eliminating the Department of Education (DOE) is a bold idea that President-elect Donald Trump promised during his campaign. Naturally, it has a lot of parents like you worried about what it could mean for the future of student loans and other federal aid. It’s no wonder. Shutting down the Department of Education would shake up the entire education system in the U.S.
Before we get into what dismantling it could look like, let’s look at what the DOE does, exactly.
Since its creation in 1979, the DOE has overseen student loans to help young people afford college; special education funding for students with disabilities; and civil rights enforcement in schools, such as Title IX protections against sex-based discrimination.
According to President-elect Trump’s messaging on the campaign trail, his administration may shift the power of education to states. The recent appointment of Linda McMahon as the Secretary of Education has only brought this issue back into focus.
A major Trump campaign donor, McMahon is the former chief operating officer of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), an organization she co-founded with her husband. She led the U.S. Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term. Her education experience is largely limited to one year spent on the Connecticut Board of Education, and she’s been widely criticized for claiming she has a bachelor’s degree in education when in reality she has a degree from Eastern Carolina University, where she majored in French. A recent lawsuit alleges she knowingly enabled the sexual exploitation of children by a WWE employee. She denies the allegations.
On the heels of McMahon’s announcement, Sen. Mike Rounds introduced legislation to eliminate the Department of Education on November 21, 2024. Come January 2025, President-elect Trump will have control of both chambers as Republicans are poised to become the majority of both the House and Senate.
If it turns out that McMahon shares Sen. Rounds’ and President-Elect Trump’s vision for the dismantling of the department for which she has just been appointed, it would mean decisions about funding, curriculums, and policies could vary widely depending on where you live. While some states might innovate and invest in education, others could need help to maintain consistent standards or resources. This could create a patchwork system where access to quality education depends heavily on your zip code.
Federal programs like Pell Grants and Title I funding, which support millions of low-income students, could also face uncertainty. Without federal oversight, it’s unclear who will ensure these funds are distributed fairly and effectively, and what would happen to national goals, like improving literacy rates or expanding STEM programs, without a central body to drive them forward.
On the flip side, some argue that removing federal oversight could reduce bureaucracy, giving local communities more freedom to shape education in ways that meet their unique needs.
Why Do Some People Want to Eliminate the Department of Education?
Critics argue that the DOE oversteps its bounds, pointing to issues like civil rights regulations. For example, under the Biden administration, Title IX rules were expanded to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. These changes have sparked controversy, and a Trump administration would likely roll them back.
Beyond hot-button social issues, critics sometimes see the DOE as a massive federal bureaucracy handing out money to schools. But much of that funding doesn’t go where you might expect. Programs like Title I, which supports schools in low-income areas, don’t just benefit big cities or traditionally liberal areas. They’re a lifeline for rural, often conservative states that rely on federal dollars to balance their education budgets.
For instance, states like Mississippi and West Virginia receive a large share of their education funding through Title I. Without those federal dollars, many rural schools could face severe underfunding. That’s why even some congressional Republicans oppose eliminating the DOE—it could devastate their constituents.
What Happens If the DOE Closes?
If the DOE shuts down, key programs could disappear, leaving states to pick up the slack—or not. Wealthier states and districts might manage fine, but poorer areas could struggle to provide the same level of support for students with disabilities or in poverty.
Many education experts believe the ripple effects would likely deepen existing inequalities in education. Schools in higher-income areas, which already benefit from strong local funding, may continue to thrive. Meanwhile, schools in lower-income communities could fall further behind.
College students and those planning to attend college could face serious hurdles. The DOE oversees federal student loans and grants, including Pell Grants, which help millions afford higher education. Without these programs, students from low- and middle-income families might struggle to pay tuition or be forced to rely on private loans with higher interest rates and fewer protections.
Additionally, programs aimed at addressing college access inequities—such as support for first-generation students and those from underserved communities—could vanish, leaving many without crucial resources. The loss of oversight might also disrupt regulations that keep predatory lenders and for-profit colleges in check, exposing students to financial risks.
In short, eliminating the DOE could make college less accessible and more expensive, widening the gap between those who can afford higher education and those who cannot.
Is It Even Possible to Close the Department of Education?
Even with strong rhetoric, eliminating the Department of Education isn’t simple. It took an act of Congress to create it, and it would take another to dismantle it. Doing so would also mean rolling back decades of federal laws and programs, a process that could take years and face bipartisan opposition.
For now, the promise to close the DOE is a promise but not a reality. But it raises important questions about the federal government’s role in ensuring equal access to education—and what happens if that safety net is removed.
It’s a complex topic with no simple answers. Let’s hope that whatever happens, the focus remains on students and the opportunities they deserve.
———–
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