- United States
- S.C.
- Letter
The potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education poses grave risks to students' access to higher education and financial aid programs. The Department currently manages $1.5 trillion in federal student loans and awards over $120 billion annually in grants, work-study funds, and low-interest loans to approximately 13 million students. Abolishing the Department could severely disrupt the disbursement and servicing of these crucial funding sources. Federal Pell Grants, which provide need-based aid to low-income students, may be jeopardized if not properly transitioned to another agency. Without Pell Grants, many disadvantaged students would face insurmountable financial barriers to college access. The potential privatization of the student loan market also threatens to make borrowing for education more expensive and profit-driven, rather than focused on promoting accessibility. This upheaval could force drastic changes with lasting impacts on students' ability to pursue higher education and achieve economic mobility. Urgent action is needed to protect federal financial aid programs and ensure a smooth transition that prioritizes students' needs over disruption. The risks to students' educational futures are far too significant to ignore.