Impact of Government Shutdown on US Education Department: Student Aid Continues While Civil Rights Investigations Halt

Oct 01, 2025 03:17 pm CST

The US Education Department faces significant operational restrictions due to the government shutdown, with 87% of staff furloughed. While federal student aid and loan processing will continue, civil rights investigations will be suspended and no new grants issued. The department, already reduced from 4,100 to 2,500 employees under the Trump administration, will maintain critical functions like FAFSA processing while Impact Aid payments face likely disruptions.