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The Shutdown of the Education Dept.
Plus: The Uncertain Future of Student Loans + AP
🎙️ Did You Know? On this day in 1809, Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were born. Two of the brightest minds of their time! Darwin's groundbreaking theory of evolution and Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War left traces that continue to shape the world today. Who knows, one of the great minds of the next generation may be born today. 👶
The Future of Student Loans
What Happens if the Education Dept. Shuts Down?
The Trump administration is reportedly drafting an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, a worrisome plan for many. If you have student debt, this raises big questions: What will happen to loan forgiveness programs? Will repayment plans change? And how quickly could that happen?
First, let's be clear about one important point: a complete shutdown of the Department of Education is not something that can happen overnight. While an executive order could direct the secretary of education to downsize the department, eliminating it entirely would require congressional approval. Given past resistance to such moves, that process could take months or even years.
But the uncertainty alone could cause disruption. The Department of Education oversees loan servicing, repayment plans, and forgiveness programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). If these operations are disrupted or transferred to other agencies without a clear plan, borrowers could face delays in processing payments, verifying income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, and tracking progress toward loan forgiveness.
🚨 When is it going to happen?
If an executive order is issued, the process will likely unfold in stages:
The order would direct the Education Secretary to draft a plan to scale down the department.
Congress would need to pass legislation to officially dissolve the department, which could take months or years.
If Congress blocks the effort, the administration may still attempt to shift responsibilities elsewhere, potentially disrupting student loan management.
For now, the best thing you can do is stay prepared. Your student loans aren’t disappearing, but the systems that manage them could be changing.
💡RoadMap Advice: If you're worried about changes to repayment plans, consolidating loans could provide stability. If possible, making extra payments on your principal can reduce your overall debt.
Adam S. Minsky
The Trump administration is reportedly preparing an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, a move that could significantly impact student loan borrowers. While eliminating the department would require congressional approval, the administration is already taking steps to weaken it internally, including placing dozens of employees on administrative leave.
Adding to the concerns, nearly two dozen people associated with Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) have reportedly gained access to sensitive student loan data, raising legal and security alarms. Potential disruptions could result in funding cuts, processing delays, and changes to federal student loan programs, including forgiveness initiatives.
Borrowers are advised to take proactive steps: screenshot their loan dashboards, download loan files, certify employment for loan forgiveness, and strengthen account security.
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