Former Education Secretary Raises Concerns Over Department Dismantling and FAFSA Disruptions

Plans to dismantle the Department of Education could significantly disrupt operations for incoming college students during the enrollment season, warns Margaret Spellings, who served as Education Secretary under President George W. Bush.

Recently, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing the scope of the Department of Education. Although he assured that programs overseeing financial aid and resources for children with special needs would persist, these would be transferred to various other agencies.

Spellings expressed skepticism regarding the transition. She highlighted that the closure and realignment of certain departmental functions could lead to significant challenges, particularly regarding staffing levels. With the impending college enrollment season underway, she raised concerns about the potential delays in processing essential financial aid materials for students.

As Spellings mentioned in an interview with Fox News Digital, the pressing question is whether universities will have timely access to vital information concerning financial aid packages. She stated, “It’s college enrollment season, and are our universities – as the customer service part of that operation – going to be able to timely get information about financial aid packages and so on?” She continued, questioning if a significantly reduced workforce would suffice, saying, “Will half the people be able to do all the work? Time will tell.” This uncertainty remains an immediate concern as students prepare to commit to colleges for the fall semester.

The Office of Federal Student Aid within the Department of Education processes over 17.6 million Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms annually, according to a report from 2024. Prior to downsizing, this office employed approximately 1,400 personnel.

Current staffing numbers remain uncertain as the agency has already implemented dramatic staff reductions, cutting its workforce by nearly half before the executive order was enacted. Such staff changes could slow the processing of FAFSAs, leaving many students in limbo as they look to finance their education.

Potential Disruption Ahead

Spellings foresees that the dismantling of the Department of Education and the subsequent transfer of its functions could be disruptive. She pointed out that merging different functions across agencies indicates potential training challenges for new employees as well as the need to integrate various data systems. Such complexities might shift focus away from prioritizing student achievement.

She expressed a troubling concern: “I fear we’ll take our eye off the ball, which is keeping student achievement before us, as opposed to harmonizing data systems, reassigning employees, training new ones who know nothing about the purpose of the thing.”

Furthermore, Spellings noted the precedent set by the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security after the September 11 attacks. By merging 22 previously existing departments and agencies, this move aimed to bolster national security efforts. However, Spellings explained that the integration of these diverse agencies proved to be a complex and labor-intensive process.

Complex Mergers In the Spotlight

The consolidation of multiple agencies into the Department of Homeland Security required extensive alignment of technology systems and work streams. Spellings remarked, “That required lots of different functions from various agencies to come together, to have common technology systems, to have visibility across work streams and so on and so on. It was complicated and time-consuming, and furthermore expensive.”

As these developments unfold, public sentiment regarding education remains a focal point. A Gallup poll released in February revealed a sharp decline in Americans’ satisfaction with the U.S. education system over the past decade. The data showed that only 24% of Americans expressed satisfaction with educational quality in January 2025, down from 37% in January 2017.

Trump’s initiative to eliminate the Department of Education did not arrive as a shock, given his consistent discussion around the subject. Advocates for shutting down the department have referenced the