President Donald Trump is not ashamed of his desire to close the Department of Education, calling it “a great job” as his administration began the monthly conclusion this month. But does the President have the power to close the Department of Education? And what happens if he does?
“President Trump cannot close the U.S. Department of Education by an Executive Order,” expert in the student loan Mark Kantrowitz said in an email. “But, if he couldn't get rid of the US Department of Education, he would definitely avoid it.”
The Department of Education plays an important role in the US education system, but may be better known for managing federal financial aid for millions Lenders to Student Loan. If you have federal loans to study, here is what experts said that could be reached if the Department of Education was closed.
Why does the Trump administration want to remove the Department of Education?
The Department of Education was created by Congress in 1979 to monitor, manage and organize programs and methods of education at the federal level. Trump's advisors said they wanted to call Congress to destroy the department, a step floating in recent years of Republicans but always failed to gain extensive support.
“It's not quite clear why Republicans want to get rid of the U.S. Department of Education,” Kantrowitz said. “Why would you remove a powerful tool for implementing your education agenda?”
The Trump administration has campaigned on reducing the size of the federal worker, so the department's department shuts down, using 4,400 people, can be considered part of this agenda. The department also manages federal loans to study, which Republicans target Because former president Joe Biden has supported the relief of the student's debt.
There may also be confusion about the role of the Department of Public Education, including the misconception that it controls the K-12 curriculum. The Department of Education does not have a curriculum for any school. The requirements are set to the state level, and local school boards have created the curriculum to meet those requirements.
For example, for example, Common coreThat many think as “national criteria” for education, have been created as a multistate effort by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to stand out education requirements nationwide. However, the Department of Education is not involved in developing standards.
Can the President close the Department of Education?
The President cannot unilaterally remove the Department of Education. That is according to Linda McMahon, President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Education. The department's shutting down will require a Congress law, McMahon said at his hearing on this month's confirmation. Congress is not likely to remove the department, as Republicans control only 53 votes in the Senate, and a 60-bot supermajority is required.
However, while the closing of the Department of Education could be completely out of the president's view, the Trump administration began to take action to end specific programs and programs. Billionaire Elon Musk's Doge Team has begun the department, ending with contracts and firing staff.
Congress can also slip the department's budget by reconciling the budget, which requires only a simple majority. “Proposals to get rid of loans in Plus, Reducing interest in student debt, [American Opportunity Tax Credit], [Lifetime Learning Credit]Payment borrower defense, closed school release and aspects of PSLF can be done by budget reconciliation, “Kantrowitz said.
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What will happen to student loans if the Department of Education is removed?
Several experts expect the Department of Education to be completely removed. Even so, many of its programs, including federal loans to study, are likely to remain in some form and move to various departments.
“Some argue that this responsibility must fall under the Treasury, given that the student's federal loans are funded by Treasury,” Elaine RubinAn expert in the student loan policy and director of communications for Edvisors, said in an email.
But any transfers will take time and can cause interruptions for millions of borrowers who try to apply or repay the student loans. “Treasury has no experience with higher education policies, so there may be some excitement,” Kantrowitz said.
Where the student loans are completed, the current borrowers should expect the same terms that they will agree if they accept the debt.
“If student loans are transferred to another federal agency, interest rates and terms of loans will not change. Those words are defined in the master promissory note and the law,” said Kantrowitz .
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What about the forgiveness of a student loan?
President Trump has made it clear that he is not in favor of extensive pupils' forgiveness programs, calling the efforts of the Biden Administration Student Loan “A total disaster” during a debate on President last year.
However, during his confirmation hearing for the Secretary of Education, McMahon told senators that the Department of Education would respect the Public Public Program to Public Student and other pardon -forgiveness programs created by Congress.
“If we want stronger or more programs for loan forgiveness, Congress should pass those programs, and then we will implement them,” he said.
Department's removal will also not affect lenders whose loans have Forgive itAccording to Kantrowitz. “The President cannot return the forgiveness that has been given. It is legal binding,” he said. “The courts also say that forgiveness has 'irreversible' effects.”
The Biden Administration's Saving on an important education planwhich lowered the monthly payment and offered additional forgiveness options, was struck by a US appeal court decision this week. Saving is on the chopping block, and the Trump administration is not expected to defend the plan.
Read more: You will not be forced to repay the pardon -forgiven loan – unless this happens
What to do if you have the loans to study
For most current lenders, the impact of department removal may not be immediately apparent. “Most of the operations are implemented by contractors, so student loan loans are not likely to notice anything different,” Kantrowitz said.
So far, lending holders of the student's loan should stay focused for updates and prepare I -Restart payments if they are already -paused. Make sure you know who your servant is on the loan and they have current contact information. If you are currently enrolled in the plan of saving, Expect to pay more this year. You can use the Simulator of the Department of Education To calculate your new payment, and start considering the other IDR options and Saving Strategies.
If you are enrolled in PSLF and close to 120-paying scores, you may want to consider applying for PSLF Buyback Program. This allows you to “buy months without paying not counting on forgiveness while your loans are in patience or postponement. Although the PSLF program can be safe, the purchase program may leave so now the time to Take advantage.
