In brief
The U.S. Education Department faces disruptions as a government shutdown begins, causing 87% of its workforce to be furloughed. While federal student loans and Pell Grants will continue to be processed, new federal grants will cease and civil rights investigations will stop. Previous cuts and layoffs have left the department operating with fewer staff, limiting its ability to manage programs effectively.
As the government shutdown takes effect, the U.S. Education Department braces for significant operational changes. Due to the shutdown, around 87% of the Department's workforce will be furloughed, impacting various essential functions.
Despite these disruptions, federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and student loans, will continue to be disbursed. However, the Education Department has announced that no new federal grants will be issued during this period and investigations into civil rights complaints will be paused.
In light of previous cuts made under the Trump administration, the department is currently operating with only 2,500 employees, after starting with around 4,100. Education Secretary Linda McMahon previously indicated that some staff had been brought back due to the negative impacts of the cuts. She admitted that while the intention was to eliminate unnecessary positions, some essential roles had inadvertently been lost.
As a result of the furlough, essential regulatory functions will be paused, and certain federal programs critical for schools may face delays in funding. If the shutdown extends beyond a week, the department plans to reassess its contingency strategies to mitigate further disruptions to educational institutions across the country.
