Current Status of Department of Education Dismantling Efforts
As of March 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) remains operational but has undergone substantial reductions in staff and scope under the Trump administration's aggressive reform agenda. Launched with an executive order in March 2025, the initiative aims to 'break up the federal education bureaucracy' by transferring programs to other agencies, slashing staff by approximately 40%, and shifting control to states and local leaders. While full abolition requires congressional action—which has not materialized—interagency partnerships have offloaded key functions, reducing ED's workforce from over 4,100 to about 2,800 employees. This piecemeal approach has created operational uncertainty, particularly for higher education institutions reliant on federal student aid, research grants, and compliance oversight.
Higher education, a core focus of ED's Title IV programs, faces indirect but significant ripple effects. Universities and colleges are navigating funding disruptions, stricter loan limits, intensified foreign funding scrutiny, and accreditation overhauls. These changes align with Project 2025 recommendations but have sparked debates over efficiency versus disruption.
Timeline of Key Developments Since 2025
The dismantling process began shortly after President Trump's inauguration in January 2025. In March 2025, an executive order directed Secretary Linda McMahon to initiate shutdowns of non-essential functions. By November 2025, six interagency agreements (IAAs) were announced, followed by two more in February 2026, transferring programs like career and technical education to the Department of Labor and school safety grants to Health and Human Services (HHS).
- March 2025: Executive Order issued to begin closure process.
- September-October 2025: Mass layoffs (1,300+ employees), partially blocked by courts.
- November 2025: First six IAAs announced.
- January 2026: Consensus on new accountability framework; negotiated rulemaking for accreditation launched.
- February 2026: Additional IAAs for foreign funding (State Dept) and mental health grants (HHS).
- FY2026 Budget: Proposed cuts rejected by Congress, maintaining student aid levels.
This timeline highlights a strategy of gradual erosion rather than abrupt elimination, allowing continuity in critical services like Pell Grants while testing transfers.
Staff Reductions and Organizational Shifts
ED's staff has shrunk dramatically, with over 1,300 firings and voluntary departures amid a reduction-in-force (RIF). A 43-day government shutdown in late 2025 furloughed 87% of remaining staff, underscoring claims of non-essentiality. Remaining employees face heightened workloads, managing 200+ grants each, and many have signed non-disclosure agreements on transfer plans. Secretary McMahon described the agency as a 'lean, mean machine,' now half its original size and more efficient.
For higher education administrators, this means delays in grant processing and compliance guidance. Universities report confusion over reporting lines, impacting higher ed administration jobs and operations.
Program Transfers Through Interagency Partnerships
Seven IAAs have redistributed oversight:
- HHS: School safety, mental health grants (post-Uvalde), Project SERV (K-12/higher ed violence response), community schools.
- State Department: Section 117 foreign gifts/contracts reporting ($5.2B in 2025 disclosures), portal management.
- Labor: Career, technical, adult education.
Photo by Arno Senoner on Unsplash
Reforms to Federal Student Aid and Loans
The Federal Student Aid (FSA) office, managing $1.7 trillion in loans, is slated for Treasury transfer. New rules cap graduate/professional loans starting July 2026 under the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' aiming to curb costs but affecting 160,000+ students. Income-driven repayment plans are less generous, and a graduate earnings test penalizes low-ROI programs. Congress preserved Pell Grants and basic needs funding in FY2026.
Colleges must prioritize affordability; check higher ed career advice for navigating changes. Proposed rules for short-term training aid could boost vocational programs at community colleges.
Disruptions to University Research Funding
Proposed 21% science budget cuts (NSF to $3.9B, NIH -40%) led to 25% fewer grants, though many rescinded. Indirect research cost reimbursements capped at 15%. Uncertainty caused deficits: Stanford $140M cut, Harvard first deficit since 2020. Faculty face hiring freezes; explore research jobs amid shifts.
Accreditation Overhaul via Negotiated Rulemaking
January 2026 launched AIM committee for accreditation reform: simplify recognition, combat cost/credential inflation, ban DEI discrimination, focus on outcomes. Sessions April-May 2026; advances EO 14279. Impacts: Easier new accreditors, merit-based standards, transfer-credit reforms—potentially lowering costs but risking quality.
Heightened Scrutiny on Foreign Funding and Compliance
State Dept now aids Section 117 enforcement; new portal January 2026. 150+ probes (antisemitism, DEI); 6 settlements (e.g., Columbia). 8k+ intl visas revoked, 20% enrollment drop. Universities must report $250k+ gifts rigorously.
Foreign Funding Portal
Congressional Pushback and Legal Challenges
FY2026 budget rejected cuts, adding $217M. Courts blocked layoffs; bipartisan bills protect aid. Inspector General probes transfers. States sued over in-state tuition for undocumented.
Future Outlook for US Colleges and Universities
ED may shrink further, but core aid persists. Universities adapt via diversification, state funding. Positive: Efficiency, outcomes focus. Risks: Access gaps, research slowdowns. Faculty/students: Monitor Rate My Professor for campus vibes; seek higher ed jobs, university jobs, career advice, post-a-job.
