Executive Orders, Education Cuts, and the Fight for Student Parents’ Futures
Generation Hope
March 20, 2025
Contact: comms@generationhope.org
The Trump administration issued an Executive Order today aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, sparking widespread concern among students, educators, and staff at higher education institutions. While these executive actions seek to shift federal oversight and reduce funding for key programs, it is important to understand that eliminating the Department of Education requires an act of Congress.
However, without prevailing support in the U.S. Senate, a full closure is unlikely. But the partial closure, shifts, and staffing cuts will impact the nearly 4 million parenting college students across the U.S. who rely on the Department’s critical programming to further their education.
In times of political uncertainty, it is critical for student parents and educators to remain informed, rely on trusted sources of information, and seek support through campus communities, family, friends, and other networks. Public K-12 schools and nonprofit higher education institutions play a crucial role in economic mobility, and social equity, ensuring access to quality learning experiences regardless of socioeconomic background.
During her Senate confirmation hearing, Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, acknowledged that dismantling the Department of Education would require congressional approval. While she assured lawmakers that she would support continuing Title I funding for low-income schools and Pell grants for low-income college students, her focus on efficiency and possible restructuring suggests a move toward decentralization.
One in five college students is a parent, yet without smart data-gathering practices, they remain an invisible population—making it harder to advocate for policies and resources that support their success. That’s why staffing cuts to the federal agencies responsible for education data are deeply concerning.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the Department of Education provides essential insights into graduation rates, financial aid access, and the impact of federal education programs. If the Department is eliminated, the loss of this data could make it even harder to support student parents and other historically underserved populations.
Administrative layoffs, personnel policy changes and budget cuts could delay FAFSA processing, stall loan disbursement, and leave schools without federal guidance on funding and civil rights protections. The most vulnerable—historically marginalized students— are at risk of losing crucial support. Students should act now: file FAFSA early, monitor policy shifts, and seek updates from their schools on aid and resources.
Protecting civil rights, financial aid, and child care funding isn’t just about education—it’s about breaking cycles of poverty and building lasting economic security for families. Eliminating these protections, Generation Hope Founder & CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis said this week, wouldn’t just hurt individual students; it would weaken the workforce and put the nation’s economic future at risk.
“Disrupting the vital resources provided by the Department of Education will push higher education further out of reach for millions, leave working families without needed support, and set our economy and our country back significantly. Millions of college students with children will be impacted.
"When we invest in student parents, we’re not just helping individuals—we’re strengthening our economy, keeping our nation globally competitive, and ensuring that every family has a fair shot at success,” said Lewis.
The Department of Education distributes more than $115 billion in federal student aid each year, supporting 10 million students pursuing higher education, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). A significant portion of this funding goes toward programs like Pell Grants, which support about 7 million students each year. These federal investments play a crucial role in keeping college affordable. Without them, it could make it harder for millions of families to achieve upward mobility.
This briefing provides a fact-based analysis of key federal education programs at risk, dispels common myths, and offers guidance for student parents and institutions navigating policy shifts.
The Role of the U.S. Department of Education in Supporting Student Parents
1. Direct Federal Programs for Student Parents
Federal Student Aid (FSA): In 2023–2024, approximately 6.8 million students received Pell Grants, totaling over $26.6 billion in aid. Disruptions to federal aid administration have real consequences. Widespread FAFSA challenges in 2024 led to a 40% drop in high school completions by late March, compared to 2023. — EmpowerED Dads: Amplifying Voices, Advancing Higher Education for Student Fathers (Generation Hope, June 2024) Weakening or eliminating FSA doesn't just hurt students—it ripples through campuses, communities, and the workforce.
Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS): CCAMPIS provides child care subsidies to low-income student parents, helping them persist in their education. Data from our report EmpowerED Dads: EmpowerED Dads: Amplifying Voices, Advancing Higher Education for Student Fathers (Generation Hope, June 2024) reveals that students who participated in CCAMPIS had an 82% persistence rate in the 2016–2017 academic year.
TRIO Programs: TRIO programs serve over 800,000 students annually by providing academic and support services to low-income, first-generation college students, and student parents. Without these supports, parenting college students are significantly less likely to complete their degrees.
2. Indirect Federal Programs Benefiting Student Parents
Title I Grants for Low-Income Schools: Title I provides $18.4 billion annually to support K-12 schools with high numbers of low-income students, many of whom are children of student parents.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Ensures special education services for children with disabilities, directly benefiting student parents who rely on these supports.
Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Protections: OCR enforces Title IX, ensuring that pregnant and parenting students are protected from discrimination and can access academic accommodations. Breaking Barriers: The Hidden Struggles of Student Parents and Housing Insecurity (Generation Hope, January 2025) highlights the lived experiences of student parents who encountered obstacles in securing institutional support.
Proposed Changes and Their Potential Consequences
1. Administrative Restructuring and Funding Shifts
Title I and TRIO Programs: Proposals suggest converting these programs into state block grants, reducing federal oversight. This shift could lead to funding disparities that disproportionately affect students of color and low-income students as we have seen with cuts to other state-run programs.
Federal Student Aid: The proposed transfer of federal student aid programs to the Department of the Treasury could disrupt loan disbursement, delaying access to funds that student parents depend on to stay in school.
Office for Civil Rights (OCR): Transferring Title IX enforcement to the Department of Justice could slow the response to discrimination complaints, reducing the ability of pregnant and parenting students to secure accommodations in a timely manner. A prior Trump administration memo, Executive Order 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” emphasizes eliminating DEI programs and altering enforcement mechanisms for anti-discrimination protections, which could make it harder for student parents to secure Title IX accommodations and protections.
2. Immediate and Long-Term Impacts
Financial Aid Uncertainty: Any delays in Pell Grant disbursement or student loan servicing issues could increase financial stress for student parents, forcing some to pause or drop out.
Child Care Access at Risk: Eliminating CCAMPIS funding would worsen the child care crisis, making it even harder for student parents to balance education and caregiving. The Child Care Barrier: The Impacts of Inaccessible and Costly Child Care for Student Parents (Generation Hope, March 2023) states that student parents without access to affordable child care are 30% less likely to complete their degrees.
Civil Rights Protections for Student Parents: Changes to Title IX enforcement could reduce institutional accountability, making it harder for student parents to advocate for their rights. Title IX requires recipients of federal education funding to evaluate their current policies and practices; adopt and publish a policy against sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence; and implement grievance procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee discrimination complaints. The law also prohibits retaliation for filing a Title IX complaint or advocating for those making a complaint. A prior Trump administration memo, Executive Order 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” emphasizes eliminating DEI programs and altering enforcement mechanisms for anti-discrimination protections, which could make it harder for student parents to secure Title IX accommodations and protections.
Loss of Critical Data on Student Parents: If the Department of Education is eliminated, federal progress for tracking student parent data could disappear, leaving institutions with increased barriers to identify or support this population. Without such federal initiatives, institutions may lack the necessary data to identify and assist student parents, potentially hindering their academic success. Currently, only six states—Oregon, California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas—mandate that colleges and universities collect data on students' parenting status.
Dispelling Myths About Federal Student Aid & Education Oversight
Myth: “Federal Financial Aid Will End Or Be Put On Hold”
Fact: Pell Grants and student loans remain funded by Congress. Students should continue applying for aid as usual while monitoring policy changes.Myth: “States Will Provide Equivalent Support”
Fact: Many states lack the infrastructure to administer federal education funding at the same level, which could create unequal access across geographies based on statewide budgets.Myth: “Title IX Protections for Student Parents Will Stay the Same”
Fact: Changes in enforcement mechanisms may impact how and when discrimination complaints are processed.
Current Recommendations for Student Parents and Higher Education Institutions
For Student Parents
Continue applying for financial aid through Pell Grants, scholarships, and other available grants.
Advocate for child care resources on campus and seek out policies on campus that support student parents.
Stay informed on Title IX protections and report any discrimination related to pregnancy or parenting.
For Higher Education Institutions
Expand on-campus child care options and seek partnerships with local child care providers and community-based organizations.
Seek alternative funding sources to maintain your existing student support services for at-risk students.
Ensure clear communication of Title IX rights and maintain transparent reporting systems for student parents.
Ensure that access to any basic needs or mental health supports for parenting students can maintain continuity despite challenges imposed by potential cuts to programs.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s executive order signals a drastic shift in federal education policy, but dismantling the Department of Education requires congressional approval. While uncertainty remains, students, education leaders, and institutions must act together. Colleges, community-based organizations, and policymakers should work proactively to protect vital resources, while student parents should advocate for their rights and seek support.
Public K-12 schools and nonprofit higher education institutions are crucial engines of economic mobility and workforce development. Protecting access to financial aid, child care support, and civil rights protections is not just an education issue—it’s a matter of social and economic justice.
Public K-12 education and nonprofit higher education institutions play an essential role in economic mobility and workforce development. Protecting access to financial aid, child care support, and civil rights protections is critical to ensuring that student parents and their families gain upward mobility.
For more information, contact Generation Hope at info@generationhope.org. You can share our social media post dispelling common myths and facts about the impact of the impending Executive Order here: LINK
If you are a Generation Hope Scholar and need support, please know that our mental health clinical team is here to help. You can access the counseling request form directly through your Scholar portal. If you have any difficulty navigating campus resources or accessing support, we encourage you to contact your Hope Coach, who is always available to assist you.
Addendum: Key Definitions
Title I Grants – A federal program providing funding to K-12 schools with high numbers of low-income students to ensure all children meet challenging academic standards. Many student parents rely on Title I schools for their children’s education while pursuing their own degrees.
Title IX Protections – A federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs receiving federal funds. Title IX protections cover all areas of education including; recruitment, admissions and housing; career and technical education; pregnant, parenting, and/or married students; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); sexual harassment and assault; comparable facilities and access to course offerings; financial assistance; student health services and insurance benefits; harassment based on gender identity; and athletics. Title IX ensures that pregnant and parenting students have equal access to education, including protections against discrimination and requirements for reasonable accommodations.
TRIO Programs – A set of federally funded programs designed to support low-income, first-generation, and disabled students in higher education. TRIO provides academic tutoring, mentoring, financial guidance, and personal support, benefiting many student parents who face additional barriers to completing college.
Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) – The only federal program dedicated to supporting child care for low-income student parents enrolled in college. CCAMPIS helps student parents stay in school and graduate by providing affordable, high-quality child care services.
Federal Student Aid (FSA) – The primary source of federal financial aid for college students, including Pell Grants, student loans, and work-study programs. FSA provides critical financial support for student parents, helping cover tuition, housing, and other education-related expenses.
