Staffing Shortages at the Department of Education: A Growing Concern for Student-Athletes
The U.S. Department of Education’s recent staff reduction is having a noticeable impact on student-athletes, especially those navigating financial aid, scholarships, and other academic resources. As colleges and universities face staffing shortages, student-athletes are struggling to get the assistance they need, from help with Federal Student Aid (FSA) applications to tracking down financial aid information.
The significant layoffs within the Department of Education have left financial aid offices overwhelmed and slow to respond, creating delays for student-athletes who rely on timely assistance to secure scholarships and manage tuition costs. According to Diane Cooper, a senior financial aid officer at Northwest Career College, what used to be quick requests—such as retrieving a student’s Federal Student Aid ID—now take days, if not weeks. This delay has a direct impact on student-athletes, especially those juggling demanding schedules with their athletic commitments.
Beyond financial aid concerns, there is an increasing challenge in helping students meet federal eligibility requirements and in receiving updates on compliance issues. This disruption is compounded by the closure of several regional offices, which has left many students, particularly those in smaller or rural colleges, without crucial support.
The broader implications are worrying. Without timely support from the Department of Education, student-athletes may face difficulties meeting deadlines for financial aid applications and securing the resources necessary to continue their education and sports careers. Many student-athletes depend on federal aid and other scholarships to afford the rising costs of education, and the delays in service only increase the pressure on them to find alternative solutions.
As the Department of Education navigates these staffing shortages and the larger restructuring efforts under the new “One Big Beautiful Bill,” student-athletes and academic institutions alike are left waiting for clarity on how these changes will affect them long-term. With less staff to process and manage critical educational and financial processes, the student-athlete experience could become even more challenging, especially when it comes to securing the financial support they need to pursue both their academics and sports careers.
For student-athletes, the stakes are high, and with fewer resources at their disposal, they may be left scrambling for assistance when they need it most. The need for an efficient, fully staffed Department of Education has never been more apparent as it continues to face pressure to streamline operations, a challenge that will likely have lasting impacts on student-athletes nationwide.