Imagine this: The Department of Education is no more. What does this mean for the 42 million people with federal student loans? First off, they still owe that money. Paying back loans is still a must. But who's in charge now? That's the big question.

Let's go back a bit. The Department of Education was created by Congress, so only Congress can shut it down. But even if it stays, big budget cuts could cause problems. We're talking about cuts to teacher training programs and grants for schools. Plus, policies promoting diversity and equality are being rolled back. This could lead to a lot of confusion and mistakes, especially when it comes to student aid.

Now, let's talk about the Federal Student Aid Program. It's huge and complicated, and even in good times, mistakes happen. But if resources and expertise are taken away, expect even more errors and delays. Students might struggle to get the aid they need to stay in school. And what about information? Websites might lose crucial details, or updates might stop. This could leave students in the dark about their financial aid options.

So, what if the Department of the Treasury takes over student loans? At first, it might not seem different. But over time, the focus could shift. The Secretary of Education is all about education, while the Treasury Secretary is more about collecting taxes. That could change how student loans are managed.

What if private lenders take over? Well, that's a big risk. Students and families would be at the mercy of private lenders, who might not be so friendly. Especially for students without jobs or credit scores, getting a loan could be tough.

And what about schools that defraud students or suddenly close? Right now, there's a team at the Department of Education keeping an eye out for this. But if they're defunded or get stop-work orders, scammy schools could take advantage of students, leaving them with useless degrees or no degree at all.

All this talk about shutting down the Department of Education might seem like a far-off idea, but it's important to think about what could happen. Students and borrowers need to stay informed and be ready for potential changes.

What If the Department of Education Vanishes?

Actions