If the Ministry of Education no longer exists, FAFSA also disappears?
The Ministry of Education Provides free demand for federal assistance to students and administers federal financial aid programs. However, the department may not be there any longer, the Secretary of Education Linda McMahon speaking of means to close it. Department staff have been reduced by almost half of this month and the Studentaid.gov The website has dropped for hours.
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“These labor discounts raise serious questions about the future features of federal aid programs,” said Elaine Rubin, a student loan expert, in an e-mail. “There has been little communication on how the ministry plans to maintain effective operations and prevent disturbances.”
If you worry about filling the FAFSA 2025-26 – or if you have already submitted it – here is what you need to know.
Does Fafsa disappear?
Even if the Ministry of Education is abolished, experts do not think that federal aid to students or FAFSA is leaving.
“The software system and the call center are via entrepreneurs, but there is still an important work internally,” said Mark Kantrowitz, a student loan expert, in an email. “After the Fiasco Fafsa from last year, the dismissal staff could be a disaster.”
Rubin and Kantrowitz say that management of the FAFSA process could be transferred to another agency.
Rubin noted that FAFSA is the “trigger request” not only for federal financial assistance programs, but also for many state and institutional aid programs.
“It would be a huge company to replace the FAFSA, but that does not mean that at some point, it cannot be,” said Rubin. But because a complex network of programs is based on the application, “we do not really plan that FAFSA is disappearing at the moment.”
Where could FAFSA go?
Experts say that another federal agency is the most likely candidate to take care of the treatment of FAFSA if the education department closes. The possibilities include the Treasury Service or the Internal Returned Service because the FAFSA form already connects to the IRS system to download the income declaration data.
Kantrowitz said the US Treasury Department is the most likely destination for student loan programs. He added that no matter what agency takes it, the federal government must continue to administer and manage students’ help.
“States are unable to manage student loans,” said Kantrowitz. “Private lenders do not have the capacity and appetite to privatize the federal portfolio of student loans.”
If the Fafsa moves to the treasure, Kantrowitz said that borrowers would probably not notice much difference.
“Most functions [of student loan programs] are implemented through entrepreneurs, “he said.” The treasure lacks experience with the rules of higher education so that there can be an initial chaos. “”
Should you always submit Fafsa?
If you need help pays for college, experts say you should continue to use FAFSA. The form is used to determine your eligibility for financial aid, including Pell subsidies, scholarships, work programs and student loans.
Rubin noted a group of people who have additional concerns about the filing of a FAFSA: students who need to report information from a parent or spouse who is an undocumented immigrant. Candidates who are non -American citizens with qualification documentation may be eligible for financial aid; The status of financial “contributors” such as parents and spouses has no impact on eligibility.
THE 1974 privacy law Prohibited for the agency to share certain identification information without written consent or an explicit agreement. Below Current agreementsThe ministry shares FAFSA information for candidates – but not contributors – with the Ministry of Homeland Security to verify the status of a applicant. But the aggressive position of this administration against undocumented immigrants has many families worried to deposit information that could be illegally shared with the immigration authorities, said Rubin.
She has no universal advice for these candidates. “It must really be summed up … which is best for the family and with which they are comfortable.”
What to expect if you have submitted your FAFSA request
If you have already submitted your FAFSA form, the Ministry of Education indicates that it will process your online request in one to three days (paper form submissions take more time).
Once your form has been treated, you can connect to Studentaid.gov To see your submission summary and make corrections. However, due to staff cuts, you should expect delays if you have questions or problems with your request, experts warned.
The summary should include your student assistance index, which the ministry sends directly to the schools you have listed on your FAFSA form. Schools use your SAI to calculate the amount of the financial aid they will offer you. If you are afraid that your school has not received your information to determine your financial assistance package, contact your school’s financial assistance office.
