SPECTRUM NEWS+ INTERVIEW WITH DR. SHAAN PATEL

What the Dismantling of the Department of Education Could Mean for Students and Parents
By Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert

Recently, the education world was hit with big news—President Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. As someone who works directly with families navigating college admissions, standardized testing, and financial aid, I’ve heard a lot of concern and confusion in recent days.

Let me break down what’s really happening—and more importantly, what it means for your child’s future.

The Department Isn’t Vanishing Overnight

First, let’s be clear: this executive order does not immediately shut down the Department of Education. That would require an act of Congress.

But what it does do is set in motion a serious structural change. According to the order and statements from the White House, the goal is to scale back the department’s federal reach and move key responsibilities—like student loans and financial aid—to other agencies, such as the Small Business Administration or Department of the Treasury.

For many families, this announcement triggered fears of losing essential services like FAFSA, Title IX protections, or support for students with disabilities. But based on current information, the core programs will stay intact—they just may operate under different leadership.

What Parents Are Worried About (And What’s Actually Changing)

The biggest questions I’ve been hearing from parents fall into three categories:

1. Will my child still receive federal financial aid?
2. Will K-12 schools lose funding or guidance?
3. Will civil rights protections still apply?

Let’s tackle each one.

1. Financial Aid and FAFSA

The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) currently administers more than $1.7 trillion in federal student loans, in addition to Pell Grants and work-study programs. It’s the engine behind FAFSA.

If FSA is moved out of the Department of Education, there may be short-term disruption, especially when it comes to customer service or the speed of disbursements. But don’t panic—these loans and grants are guaranteed by Congress. They’re not going anywhere without new legislation.

In short: students will still be able to apply for and receive financial aid, though the transition could slow things down in the near term.

2. K–12 Curriculum and Federal Standards

Much of the Department’s work in K–12 education involves setting national standards, distributing funding to schools, and ensuring compliance with testing and accountability measures.

If those responsibilities are eliminated or returned to the states, we’ll likely see greater variation in school quality and curriculum across the country. While this may allow for innovation at the local level—a point I’ve supported in the past—it also means parents will need to stay more involved than ever to ensure their schools are meeting high standards.

3. Civil Rights and Title IX

One of the most critical roles the Department plays is enforcing civil rights protections—from disability access to anti-discrimination policies under Title IX.

The good news is the White House has publicly committed to maintaining these protections, regardless of which agency oversees them. That’s a huge relief to families who rely on these safeguards, and I believe they will remain non-negotiable pillars of any restructured system.

A Disruption, Not a Disaster

In any major policy change, there’s bound to be confusion. But it’s important to separate the headlines from the facts.

Yes, moving key functions like FAFSA to a new agency could cause short-term headaches—longer wait times, slower processing, and more bureaucracy during the transition. But the programs themselves aren’t going away.

And in some cases, change may actually be an opportunity. For years, families have complained about how difficult it is to navigate federal student aid. If this restructuring leads to a simpler, more efficient process, that would be a win for everyone.

My Message to Students and Families: Stay the Course

If you’re a high school student preparing for college—or the parent of one—here’s my advice:

• Still fill out the FAFSA. Nothing has changed for the upcoming academic year.
• Stay on top of deadlines. If there are any delays in disbursement or processing, being early can help protect your financial aid.
• Don’t panic. Your student loans and grants are federally backed and legally protected.
• Continue planning for college. The admissions process remains the same. Prepare for the SAT or ACT, write strong essays, and highlight your extracurriculars.

And if you’re feeling uncertain, reach out to experts who’ve been through this before. At Prep Expert, we’re tracking these changes closely to make sure families stay informed and ahead of the curve.

Final Thoughts

I understand the concern. Education is deeply personal—and when the government makes sweeping changes, it can feel like your child’s future is suddenly up in the air.

But here’s the truth: while the headlines sound dramatic, the actual impact—for now—is mostly administrative. The financial aid system, civil rights protections, and core support for students will continue. What’s changing is who manages it—and how efficiently they do so.

This moment is a reminder of how complex our education system really is. And it’s also a call to action for all of us—parents, students, educators, and policymakers—to stay engaged and push for smart, student-first reforms.

—
Dr. Shaan Patel is the founder of Prep Expert, a Shark Tank-backed company that has helped over 100,000 students raise their test scores and earn admission to top colleges. He scored a perfect SAT and is a passionate advocate for education equity and innovation.