Is Trump closing the Ministry of Education? The White House says no – at least not today

President Donald Trump was expected to issue an executive order today to start closing the Ministry of Education, but the White House denied the report.

The Wall Street Journal witnessed a draft executive of Trump, which guides the Minister of Education, Linda McMahon, to “take all the steps necessary to facilitate the closure of the Ministry of Education” as allowed under the law.

White House press secretary Caroline Levit refuted this report in A. mail On the social media platform x today.

“President Trump does not sign an executive order in the Ministry of Education today,” he wrote.

McMahon said in its confirmation session last month that the closure of the administration would require a law from Congress. But she issued a statement The administration told this week that they are charged with “eliminating bureaucratic bloating here in the Ministry of Education – an important final mission – quickly and responsibility.”

The Ministry of Education plays a pivotal role in the American education system, but it may be known as the Federal Financial Aid Department Student loan borrowers. If you have federal students ’loans, here is what experts say can be on the horizon if the Ministry of Education is closed.

Read more: Did Save only deal with a final? What does the last court decision mean for the borrowers ’loans

Why does the Trump administration want to eliminate the Ministry of Education?

The Ministry of Education was established by Congress in 1979 to track, manage and coordinate education programs and procedures at the federal level. Trump counselors said they wanted to invite Congress to cancel the section, a step that has been put over the years by Republicans but has always failed to obtain widespread support.

“It is not quite clear why the Republicans wanted to get rid of the US Department of Education,” Student Loans expert Mark Cantroitz He said in an email. “Why do you get rid of a powerful tool to implement your education agenda?”

The Trump administration has carried out a campaign to reduce the size of the federal workforce, and therefore the closure of the Ministry of Education, which employs 4,400 people, can be considered part of this agenda. The administration also runs the federal students ’loans that The Republicans have targeted Since former President Joe Biden strongly supported students’ debts.

There may also be confusion about the role of management in public education, including the wrong belief that it controls the K-12 curriculum. The Ministry of Education does not develop a method for any schools. The requirements are determined at the state level, and the local school councils create curricula to meet these requirements.

For example, JointAnd many believed to be “national standards” for education, was created as a multi -edge effort by the National Association of Conservatives and the Council of Senior Government Schools officers to unify the requirements of education at the country level. However, the Ministry of Education was not involved in developing standards.

Can the president close the Ministry of Education?

The president cannot eliminate the Ministry of Education unilaterally because it was created by the Congress Law, which has the ability to abolish it. Congress is unlikely to cancel the ministry because Republicans control only 53 votes in the Senate, and it needs 60 votes.

However, while closing the Ministry of Education may be out of the president’s competence completely, the Trump administration has begun taking measures to finish specific jobs and programs. The Doge team in Elon Musk has already started overcoming the section, ending contracts and shooting.

Congresses can also reduce management budget by settling the budget, which requires only a simple majority. Suggestions to get rid of excess loans, Student loan deductionand (US Opportunity Tax), (Life Learning Credit)Canties said that the defense of the closed school payment and discharge and the aspects of PLF can be done by settling the budget.

Read more: You can jump the monthly student loan from $ 0 to $ 488. Here is how to prepare

What happens to student loans if the Ministry of Education is eliminated?

If the Ministry of Education is completely canceled, many of its programs, including federal students’ loans, will be possible in some way and move to different departments.

“Some have argued that this responsibility should fall under the cabinet, given that the federal student loans are funded by the treasury,” Eileen RobinA student of student loan policy and director of communications for departments said in an email.

But any transformations will take time and millions of borrowers who are trying to apply for students ’loans may be disrupted or paid. “The cabinet lacks experience in the rules of higher education, so there may be some chaos.”

Wherever the students ’loans end, current borrowers must expect the same conditions as they agreed when they accepted the loan.

“If the loans of students are transferred to another federal agency, interest rates and loans will not change. These conditions are determined in the main note and in the law.”

What about the remission of the student’s loan?

President Trump explained that he does not support the extensive tolerance programs for students, describing relief efforts from student loans in the Biden administration “complete disaster” during a presidential debate last year.

However, during a confirmation session for the Minister of Education, McMahon told the Senators that the Ministry of Education would honor Public Student loan program program And other forgiveness programs for the student loan created by Congress.

According to Kantrowitz, eliminating the department will not also affect borrowers who have already forgiven loans. “The president cannot abandon the already tolerance offered,” he said. “He is legally binding,” he said. The courts also say that forgiveness has an “irreversible” effect. “

Biden Administration Savings on a valuable educational planWhich reduced monthly payments and offered additional options, was removed by the US Court of Appeal ruling last month. Save was already on the cutting block, and the Trump administration is not expected to defend the plan.

The Ministry of Education recently Closed requests for all income -dependent payment plans Only, the student loan borrowers have left for forgetfulness and limited options for low payment plans.

Read more: You cannot be forced to pay for forgiven students – unless this happens

What to do if you have student loans

For most current borrowers, the effect of eliminating the section may not be clear immediately. “Most of the jobs are carried out through contractors, so the student loans are unlikely to note anything different,” said Canteries.

At the present time, borrowers who hold loans for students must stop updates and prepare for Restart payments if they stop temporarily. Ensure that you know who is your loan service and that they have current contact information. If you are registered in the payment plan, We expect to pay more this year. You can use Simulation of the loan of the Ministry of Education To calculate your new batch and look at Other options and Savings strategies.

If you are registered in PsF PSLF Re -purchasing program. It allows you to “buy” months without payment that is not calculated towards forgiveness while your loans were in patience or delay. Although the PLF program may still be safe, re -purchase may go away, so it is time to benefit.