FAFSA on the brink: How gutting the Education Department could derail college dream

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as FAFSA , is more than a government form — it’s a gateway. For millions of American students, it opens doors to college affordability and financial mobility . But with sweeping cuts to the Department of Education and efforts to dismantle the agency entirely, this lifeline is under unprecedented threat. The implications stretch far beyond bureaucracy: They risk sabotaging access to higher education at its roots.

From reform to relapseThe FAFSA system was already nursing wounds. A major overhaul during the Biden administration aimed to simplify the application but instead triggered delays and confusion. This led to a historic dip in completions during the 2023-24 cycle. Although this year’s numbers show signs of recovery, they remain fragile — and fear is setting in.

With the Education Department’s downsizing, trust in the system has been shaken once again. Students and families, long urged to file early, are now faced with a system that appears increasingly unstable, with shifting deadlines, spotty tech performance, and waning federal support.

An institutional collapse in slow motionCutting the Department of Education doesn’t just shrink an agency — it hollows out an ecosystem. Federal Student Aid (FSA), the office responsible for FAFSA, depends on a complex web of professionals, systems, and support staff. While top officials assure the public that no core FAFSA employees were directly laid off, the reality is murkier. Reductions in related departments, retirements at the executive level, and haphazard communication have left key teams understaffed and uncertain.

When staffers essential to backend operations or troubleshooting go missing, delays become inevitable. Recent site outages, blamed on misconfigured firewalls, highlight the fragility of the system. If this is what “streamlining” looks like, students may be in for another year of chaos.

Mixed signals, missed opportunitiesAs the Trump administration touts the efficiency of its downsizing efforts, students hear a different message. In the absence of consistent communication, confusion reigns. What does it mean if the Education Department is “going away”? Will Pell Grants still exist? Is student aid being outsourced? These are not idle questions — they shape behaviour. Students uncertain about whether aid will be available may delay or forgo applications altogether.

At a time when early decisions and college commitments hinge on timely aid packages, mixed signals can cost students their future.

The risk of losing human touch

The reported move to replace call center support with AI chatbots adds another layer of risk. While artificial intelligence may be cost-efficient, it lacks the empathy and nuance required to help anxious first-generation applicants, undocumented students, or those navigating complex family financial situations. FAFSA is not just a form — it’s a conversation, one that increasingly lacks a human voice.