6 things borrowers should know about federal student loans right now
NPR has spent the past few weeks catching up with student loan experts and asking the Trump administration for clarity on some of borrowers' biggest questions.
U.S. Education Department
How the Ph.D. Project, and 45 colleges, became a target of the Trump administration
For about 30 years, the Ph.D. Project has supported students from underrepresented groups who are earning doctoral degrees in business. Now, it's attracted the attention of the Trump administration.
Trump says Education Department will no longer oversee student loans, 'special needs'
The president said federal student loans would move to the Small Business Administration, and hinted that the Department of Health and Human Services would take over special education oversight.
How the Education Department cuts could hurt low-income and rural schools
With cuts to nearly all the staff at the Department of Education's primary data agency, low-income and rural schools may not get the federal funds they rely on in coming years.
Trump signs order aiming to close the Education Department
The Trump administration has already moved to cut the department's staff by nearly half.
The Education Department is being cut in half. Here's what's being lost
The U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights, Institute of Education Sciences and Office of Federal Student Aid were especially impacted by the cuts announced on Tuesday.
What parents, teachers and school choice groups think of Education Department cuts
Teacher unions and some parent groups condemned the cuts, while school choice advocates celebrated them.
U.S. Education Department says it is cutting nearly half of all staff
According to the department, more than 1,300 positions will be cut as a result of this reduction in force. Roughly another 600 employees have accepted voluntary resignations or retired.
Trump prepares order dismantling the Education Department
The draft executive action, obtained by NPR, acknowledges that the department and its signature responsibilities were created by Congress and cannot legally be altered without congressional approval.
Linda McMahon has been confirmed as Trump's secretary of education
The White House has been clear that it intends to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and that it will be McMahon's job to oversee that effort.