On Thursday, March 20, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education, shifting authority over education to states and local communities.
The executive order directs Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to take all necessary steps to facilitate the department’s closure. It also instructs her to ensure that Department of Education funds comply with federal law and administration policy. This includes the requirement that any program or activity receiving federal assistance must terminate illegal discrimination obscured under terms like ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI) or gender ideology programs.
Before signing the order, Trump assured that key education programs such as Pell Grants, Title I funding, and resources for children with disabilities would be fully preserved and redistributed to other federal agencies.
Established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, the Department of Education provides financial aid to students, including awarding federal Pell Grants to undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Currently, 15% of UChicago students and over 30% of students nationwide receive Pell Grants.
The agency also manages the federal student loan program and oversees the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which universities like UChicago use to determine student eligibility for grants and work-study programs.
Beyond financial aid, the Department of Education enforces civil rights protections by withholding federal assistance from institutions that fail to comply with anti-discrimination laws. This includes private institutions like UChicago, which receive federal funding for research and other initiatives.
Trump’s decision to dismantle the department marks a significant shift in federal education policy, aiming to decentralize control and prioritize state-level governance.