Expert Confirms Student Loans and Pell Grants Will Remain During Education Department Transition

Expert Confirms Student Loans and Pell Grants Will Remain During Education Department Transition

As the administration of President Donald Trump initiates significant downsizing of the Department of Education, a well-informed expert has assured stakeholders that crucial programs like funding, student loans, and civil rights protections will persist. This commitment comes despite ongoing discussions about the departmental transition.

Sarah Parshall Perry, a top legal expert at the Heritage Foundation, emphasized the importance of maintaining essential educational support, especially for Title I schools serving disadvantaged students. In a recent interview, she stated that funding mechanisms and protections will continue to be enforced by the federal Department of Education, unless congressional actions dictate otherwise.

Executive Action to Begin Dismantling the Education Department

In a pivotal move, Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. This directive instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of shutting down the department and redistributing key responsibilities, such as Pell Grants and Title I funding, to other federal agencies.

Perry described Thursday’s executive order as a fundamental first step in a long, methodical process that aims at significantly reducing the department’s size. She pointed out that while downscaling, the administration will also ensure the enforcement of civil rights and financial aid obligations remain under federal oversight until these responsibilities can be transferred to other departments.

Shifting Responsibilities and Ensuring Compliance

According to Perry, responsibilities related to civil rights enforcement may migrate to the Department of Justice, while matters concerning student loan processes could fall under the Department of the Treasury. She highlighted the cooperative effort needed between the White House and Congress to successfully reallocate these responsibilities, ensuring that the core functions affecting students are maintained.

Moving Forward with Essential Educational Programs

As the Education Department’s restructuring takes shape, Perry mentioned that students attending colleges or private institutions can expect continued access to federal funding through loans and Pell grants. She dispelled the common misconception that potential budget cuts could lead to school closures or increased taxes, clarifying that federal taxpayer contributions account for less than 10 percent of per-pupil funding at the state level. The majority of educational funding typically comes from local and state sources.

Historical Context of the Education Department

Established in 1979, the Education Department has seen its budget grow from about $14 billion to approximately $268 billion for Fiscal Year 2024, representing a notable 4 percent of total federal spending. Before the department’s formation, federal student loans were distributed through the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, which had operated since 1965.

Importance of Local Control and Continued Oversight

Perry advocates for a stronger emphasis on enhancing educational frameworks at state and local levels while ensuring that federal oversight remains intact. This would cover student loans, civil rights legislation, and Title I funding designated for low-income students.

She stressed that the federal government retains a crucial role in enforcing these protections and financial obligations. Moreover, she suggested that certain federal programs may be separated or divested from the Department of Education, allowing for a more streamlined administration of these services.

Trump’s Campaign Promise and Educational Agenda

Trump’s executive order aligns with his longstanding campaign promise to empower local educational authorities, thereby reshaping the landscape of school choice. The move is seen as part of a broader agenda amid ongoing cultural discussions surrounding education policy.

Future of Education Amid Departmental Changes

As this transition unfolds, the educational landscape is poised for significant changes; however, experts like Perry urge stakeholders to remain optimistic about federal support structures in education. With a commitment to maintaining programs aimed at assisting disadvantaged students, the locality of education may grow stronger.

The coming months will be essential in determining how effectively the Department of Education’s responsibilities can be transitioned while ensuring that student support systems remain intact and flourishing. The careful coordination between state and federal efforts will be vital as new pathways for educational oversight are established.

Ultimately, the ongoing developments will shape the future of education in the United States, ensuring that critical programs like student loans and Pell grants persist during this significant governmental restructuring.