Former Education Secretary warns of FAFSA disruptions

Margaret Spellings, who was the Education Secretary under President George W. Bush, expressed concerns about the recent decision to reduce the size of the Department of Education. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to cut back the agency, which could disrupt services, especially during the college enrollment season. Spellings highlighted that the department processes millions of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms every year. With staffing already reduced by about half, it’s unclear how the department will manage the incoming workload as students prepare for fall college admissions. She warned that moving education functions to other agencies may create additional challenges. This could delay assistance for financial aid and resources, ultimately affecting student achievement. Spellings referenced past efforts, such as the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, which was complex and costly, as a cautionary example. Recent polls show a decline in American satisfaction with education. Only 24% of Americans are happy with the quality of education as of January 2025, down from 37% in 2017. Trump’s plan to abolish the Education Department aligns with his long-standing desire to give more education control to states and families, rather than bureaucracies. While services like student loans and Pell grants will continue, the management of these programs may face difficulties during the transition. The Department of Education did not immediately respond to requests for comments on these changes.