Trump plans closure of Department of Education, impacting federal student loans

President Donald Trump is moving to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, with an executive order expected soon to dissolve it and transfer its functions to the states. Trump has tasked Education Secretary Linda McMahon with leading this effort, although such a closure would require congressional approval due to the department's legal establishment in 1979. The Department currently manages federal student loans and educational funding, and its closure could disrupt loan servicing and financial aid distribution. Significant changes are already underway, as the Trump administration has reduced staffing and cut contracts deemed unnecessary or wasteful. Critics argue that dismantling the department would undermine federal support for vulnerable students and colleges reliant on federal aid. Concurrently, a Chandler-based online charter school in Arizona is facing closure due to poor academic performance, highlighting broader educational challenges.