With education being such a fundamental part of students’ future (and the reason we live and breathe here at Collegewise), recent news concerning the Department of Education has left families nervous about how potential changes may impact their teens, schools, and college admissions overall.
Whether we’re navigating COVID, recent Supreme Court decisions, AI integration, and more, parents, counselors, and educators have turned to Collegewise over the last 25 years for trusted information. While there may be no clear answers yet, we assure you that you will always find the most up-to-date and accurate information here so you can make informed decisions for your family.
No matter what happens next, one thing is certain: Collegewise will continue to cut through the confusion to provide support for you and your family, every step of the way.
Table of Contents:
- What is the United States Department of Education?
- What Does the Department of Education Do?
- What are the Proposed Changes to the Department of Education?
- What is the Potential Impact if The Department is Abolished?
- What Will Happen Next?
Key Takeaways:
- The Department of Education plays a crucial role in education access and quality at all levels. It administers financial aid, enforces civil rights protections, and supports equitable learning and special education for students.
- The White House recently announced its plan to abolish the Department, but the future of the Department remains uncertain.
- Changes to the Department could have a significant impact on financial aid, college accessibility, and inclusivity.
What is the United States Department of Education?
The U.S. Department of Education (ED or the Department) was established in 1980 as an agency of the federal government to oversee education policies, financial aid programs, and to ensure equal access to education. ED, in conjunction with states, school districts, and organizations, contributes to the quality of education across the country at all levels of education.
According to the ED website, as of 2025, “The Department's elementary and secondary programs annually serve nearly 18,200 school districts and over 50 million students attending roughly 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools. Department programs also provide grant, loan, and work-study assistance to more than 12 million postsecondary students.”
What Does the Department of Education Do?
While the operations of schools are set up at a state level, the agency does oversee the following:
1. Federal student aid.ED is responsible for managing student loans, grants, and federal financial assistance programs for postsecondary students.
2. K-12 funding.The agency does not control school curriculums, but it does allocate federal resources to schools, in an effort to support low-income and disadvantaged students.
3. Special education.ED also ensures that students with disabilities receive the accommodations or support they need in school.
4. Anti-discrimination & inclusivity.The Department enforces civil rights protections by enforcing anti-discrimination laws in educational settings. These laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex, disability, age, or national origin.
These federal laws also provide guidance and grants to encourage Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) practices in schools and education programs.
Proposed Changes to the Department of Education
The topic of downsizing or abolishing the Department is nothing new. During his presidency, Ronald Reagan initially proposed to shut down the agency before backing down entirely. History looks to be repeating itself with recent discussions from the White House raising the possibility of changes to the structure and role of the Department. It was announced in February 2025 that the current administration vows to dismantle the Department. This dismantling is in line with the administration’s thinking that educational decisions should not be made at a federal level.
What is the Potential Impact if The Department is Abolished?
Implications for Student Loans and Financial Aid
Abolishing the Department could have impactful consequences, at all levels of education, but the most pressing concern is how potential changes could alter federal student loans and grants.
Recent data shows that 87% of undergraduate students accept some form of financial aid. With the Department currently administering federal loans and overseeing the Pell Grant (a need-based financial aid option), abolishing the agency could affect access to financial aid for students and interfere with repayment plans.
Collegewise has always helped families navigate the financial aid process, making sure students build college lists that align with both their aspirations and their budgets. No matter what happens with federal financial aid in the future—whether it changes significantly or disappears altogether—we’ll keep doing what we’ve always done: guiding families through their options, helping them make informed choices, and ensuring students can access great college opportunities without unnecessary financial stress.
Student Representation at Colleges
Another concern is how these changes to federal financial aid could impact college accessibility for students from low-income backgrounds. Federal grants, such as the Pell Grant, help students with financial needs afford higher education. If access to these options is reduced or dissolved, students from underprivileged backgrounds may not be able to attend college due to the financial burden. This also runs the risk that college campuses may become disproportionately skewed with more affluent representation since these students typically do not rely on such significant financial assistance.
This could ultimately lead to significant shifts in diversity and inclusivity at colleges across the United States.
Reduction of Federal Education Programs
The Department also administers many programs and resources to support the development of all students. Changes to the Department could lead to:
- Budget reallocation for educational programs for low-income schools.
- Funding cuts to special education services and resources.
- Responsibility shifts and disruptions that can lead to long-term effects.
- Lack of regulation to protect students from discrimination.
What Will Happen Next?
The short answer is, nobody knows yet. Despite the promise of an executive order, the White House has since pulled back, with no word on when this may happen.
Will the Department be abolished? It depends. Since the Department was established by Congress, Congress would need to pass a law to eliminate it. While there are plenty of actions the administration can take to adjust the Department’s role in education, it’s still unclear what steps they will take and at what scale this would impact education, educational professionals, and students.
Final Thoughts
The future is uncertain, so the best thing you can do for your family is to continue making thoughtful, informed choices about your teen’s education. Speak to trusted, reliable sources, stay connected to your support system, and keep asking tough questions. College admissions is an evolving landscape, and we'll be here to guide you through all of the changes as they occur.
Keep an eye out for additional blogs, webinars, and other resources as more information becomes available. We are here to help!
Have questions? Email us at naamal@collegewise.com
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