An American flag and a U.S. Department of Education flag fly outside the US Department of Education building in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 1, 2025.
Annabelle Gordon | Reuters
With the Trump administration looking for ways to close parts or all of the U.S. Department of Education, many of the country’s 42 million federal student loan borrowers are likely feeling on edge.
One of the Education Department’s functions is underwriting the loans that enable millions of people each year to attend college and graduate school. It also administers the country’s $1.6 trillion outstanding education debt tab.
“The anxiety levels are pretty high for borrowers right now,” said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit that helps borrowers navigate the repayment of their debt.
Closing the agency would require an act of Congress, experts say.
Still, Trump administration officials are considering an executive order that could halt parts of the agency, The Wall Street Journal reportedMonday. On …