DOE phases out

President Donald Trump signed an executive order March 20 to close the Department of Education and “return authority over education to the States and local communities,” according to the order.

According to Section 1 of the order, the “experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars has failed our children, our teachers, and our families.” Closing the department would “provide the opportunity to escape a system that is failing them.” 

UTRGV political science professor Clyde Barrow said the impact could be immediate.

“One of the biggest immediate effects is that the Department of Education has already fired 40% of its employees,” Barrow said. “This means students will have difficulties processing their FAFSA forms because there won’t be enough personnel to do it in a timely manner. If you have questions about financial aid, you won’t get informed answers because the Small Business Administration, which has taken over some of these functions, isn’t familiar with these programs.”

He also warned that the order eliminates the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

“So, there will be no more loan forgiveness and that will particularly affect people who go into things such as teaching, social work, government service,” Barrow said.

Biomedical science junior Ana Reyna said she fears losing financial support.

“I’d be very affected,” Reyna said. “Right now, my FAFSA doesn’t cover everything. It’s mostly like 60, 70%, and I have to pay the rest. It’s very hard for me. Imagine, if I didn’t have $3,000 this semester, how am I going to have almost [$11,000]?”

She said she may have to abandon her goal of obtaining a degree if she loses financial aid.

“It’s very sad because I will not be able to be what I want to be,” Reyna said. “I want to be a physician assistant and help other people. Why do you want to take that away from me? It’s my goal to help other people.”

Dario Nava, a communication senior, said the order shows neglect toward low-income students.

“Low-income schools and students will suffer the most,” Nava said. “Even if this doesn’t directly affect me immediately, it will have consequences that impact my future. We need to understand the long-term effects and stand up for our education.”

Barrow said the order is part of a broader conservative effort to reshape higher education policy.

“Trump has made it very clear that he is not a fan of higher education,” he said. “His long-term goal is to transfer all of these programs back to the states. The simple fact is the states don’t have the financial capability to pick up federal financial aid and, even if they did, most of them are not going to be inclined to do it.”

The professor added the move aligns with a larger ideological battle.

“This is part of the bigger culture war being waged by the Republican Party,” Barrow said. “They believe universities are institutions that indoctrinate students with liberal and radical ideologies, and they see higher education as an ideological enemy that needs to be destroyed.”

Nava emphasized the need for students to remain informed and engaged.

“This is not a small issue; it will affect us all in some way,” he said. “We need to look out for each other and find ways to push back if these changes negatively impact students.”