President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin shutting down the U.S. Department of Education. The order, signed on March 20, directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps to close the department and shift education control back to states and local communities.
The order states that all federal education funding must follow U.S. laws and government policies. It also bans funding for programs that support “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) or gender-related ideologies if they violate federal laws.
Before signing the order, Trump said that key education programs will continue. This includes:
- Pell Grants – Financial aid for students with low income
- Title I Funding – Support for schools with many low-income students
- Special Education Programs – Help for children with disabilities
These programs will be moved to other government agencies instead of the Department of Education.
The Department of Education was created in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter. It provides student financial aid, manages the federal student loan program, and ensures civil rights protections in schools.
With its closure, programs like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and federal work-study may change. It could also impact how civil rights protections are enforced in education, including at private colleges that receive federal funding.
The process of closing the Department of Education will take time. Meanwhile, students, teachers, and schools will need to adjust to the changes. The future of federal student aid, school funding, and education policies will depend on how other agencies take over these responsibilities.
