Defend the Department of Education from S.5384

We are at a critical moment in the fight to protect borrowers and the future of education. The recently introduced bill in the Senate (S.5384), threatens to weaken or even dismantle the Department of Education, which would have devastating consequences for millions of students and student loan borrowers across the country.

The Department of Education plays a vital role in managing federal student loans, ensuring access to education, and protecting the rights of borrowers. If S.5384 passes, it could:

- Disrupt Student Loan Services: The Department of Education oversees federal student loans, ensuring borrowers have access to repayment options, forgiveness programs, and protections against predatory practices. If the Department is gutted or eliminated, borrowers would face even more confusion and delays as their loans are moved to agencies with no experience in handling the complexities of student loan debt.

- Put Borrowers at Greater Risk: Without the Department of Education, private companies and banks could take over federal loans, as we saw under the now-defunct Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). This could lead to higher interest rates, fewer protections, and a profit-driven system that prioritizes corporations over borrowers.

- Endanger the Future of Education: The Department also ensures that schools are held accountable for providing quality education. Without it, for-profit institutions could exploit students with poor outcomes, while deserving institutions may lose vital support for educational programs.

While the Department of Education is not perfect, its mission to serve students and borrowers is essential. The hardworking individuals at the Department are not responsible for the student debt crisis—it’s the lawmakers and policies that have failed to address the real causes of student debt.
We must act now to prevent the harmful effects of S.5384. We call on lawmakers to oppose S.5384 and defend the Department of Education. We need a Department that works for borrowers, not one that allows private corporations to profit from student debt.