Trump Administration Cuts Education Department Staff, Jeopardizing Student Loan Assistance

Reductions in federal oversight and resources leave millions of borrowers without critical support during a turbulent time for student loan programs.

The Trump administration has significantly reduced staffing at the Department of Education, including the team handling borrower complaints and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) issues.
At least eight employees managing nearly 800 borrower cases were let go, leaving remaining staff overwhelmed and delaying resolution of critical loan issues.
Borrowers face heightened risks of wage garnishment and financial hardship as pandemic-era relief ends and court rulings block new repayment plans like SAVE.
The dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has further weakened oversight of student loan servicing, removing a key avenue for addressing systemic abuses.
Experts warn that these changes leave 42 million federal student loan borrowers with fewer safeguards and limited access to repayment and forgiveness programs.