Trump’s plan to eliminate the Department of Education causes fear among students

During his campaign trail, President-elect Donald Trump claimed that during his next presidential term, he would eliminate the Department of Education and give its power to the states.

Forbes Breaking News recorded Trump at a rally last month where he said that if he were to compete with countries with highly rated education programs, such as Norway and Denmark, he would eliminate the Department of Education.

“We’re at the bottom of the list. Of about 40, we’re ranked about number 40 and I’m gonna close the Department of Education and move education back to the States and we’re gonna do it fast,” Trump said.

The Department of Education’s website states they are responsible for funding public schools, administering federal student aid programs, and collecting data on US education.

US News reported that in the fall of 2022, 61% of SEMO students received need-based financial aid.

Students can receive federal aid by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which sends a student's financial information to the Department of Education in the federal government. Students may then be able to receive Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study and Federal Student Loans.

It is unclear how Trump's proposal to eliminate the Department of Education would affect FAFSA and other federal aid to students.

However, NPR reported that Project 2025, written by the Republican party and many Trump loyalists, proposes to “spin-off” the student loan program to a “new government corporation” using the Treasury Department to manage collections.

Project 2025 also states that President Joe Biden’s plan for student loan forgiveness will no longer be in effect with the new administration.

“The new Administration must end the practice of acting like the federal student loan portfolio is a campaign fund to curry political support and votes. The new Administration must end abuses in the loan forgiveness programs. Borrowers should be expected to repay their loans,” Project 2025 states.

While Trump claims he has no association with Project 2025, NBC5 Chicago claims it was written by at least 100 conservative groups and alumni of the Trump administration.

SEMO administration, through its spokesperson, declined to comment for this story.

Freshman writing major Sarah McKinney believes that if Trump were to give the states complete power over education, she would receive less funding for her schooling and may not be able to attend SEMO.

"I wouldn't have too much faith in Missouri, and their prioritization of my education. I feel like I would certainly be receiving less, and that it would put my education in danger," McKinney said.

Additionally, Dr. David Yaskewich, department chair of accounting, economics and finance, argues that if the power of the Department of Education goes to states, the states would likely have to increase taxes.

"If you eliminate the actual programs the Department of Education runs that would create a significant tax burden on state governments that want to maintain the same level, because the federal dollars go away, and then if states want to maintain that, they will need to tax their constituents more," Yaskewich said.

This idea is echoed by freshman psychology and art major Allie Duvall, another student who receives a full federal Pell Grant.

Duvall is a first-generation college student, and she fears that if the Department of Education were to disband, she would have no way of affording her tuition.

"I'm first Gen, so it's more so taking a step that none of my family has ever really taken, and just kind of ending up in a better situation, which I am starting to doubt will happen. And I'm only a freshman right now so it's a little scary," Duvall said.

According to AP News, Trump recently chose Linda McMahon, former leader of the Small Business Administration under the last Trump Presidency, as the new Secretary of Education.