Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education would require an act of Congress. Still, that isn’t stopping President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk from calling for its elimination.

But what would this mean for federal aid that millions of college students rely on?

Right now, details remain unclear. For one, programs could potentially shift to other federal agencies or be handled by individual states. However, some worry that closing the US-DOE could make higher education less affordable and accessible.

Students at the University of Guam sounded off. 

“As an education major—I do believe that education is the most valuable thing we have. And to have it become even more expensive and less accessible,” said Ivan Aguilar. “It is very concerning.”

It’s a sentiment shared by fellow Triton and Palau native Alayna Alonzo, who said it’s because of federal aid that she’s able to seek higher education. 

“It would really suck to have the decision of one person so far away change my entire life,” said Alonzo. 

And while the Trump administration has not yet provided specific details on how it would abolish the US-DOE or what that would look like, student loan borrowers can take steps to protect themselves, including downloading their loan data in case of any disruptions.

To note, the US-DOE currently oversees $1.6 trillion in student loan debt owed by 42 million Americans.

In response, Guam's Congressman James Moylan said this would remove the red tape of federal bureaucracy in getting federal funding.

The delegate added, “While the Trump White House has not yet provided much information to Congress on its plan to abolish the federal DOE and what it entails, we have been informed that most funding for indigent families or underserved communities, including in the territories, will not be gravely impacted. the efforts would empower state and territorial school boards to adopt curriculum instead of being mandated to accept federal standards in lieu of securing certain funds.” 

You can read his full statement below.