Va. (WSET) — It’s currently a waiting game as the Department of Education’s fate hangs in the balance.
At Randolph College, they are continuing business as usual for now.
“We can control what we can control and that’s focusing on our students, making sure that we’re taking care of them and try to offer them as much guidance as we can with the guidance that we’re given,” said Travis Carter, the dean of admission and financial aid at Randolph College.
Randolph College offers FAFSA and Pell Grants, something that could be impacted if the Department of Education goes away.
“The FAFSA is a federal program, so that comes from the Department of Education. Right now, we continue to accept FAFSA, process FAFSA for our students, and we’re operating as we have up until now,” Carter said.
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There are still unanswered questions, and it’s something that bothers Senator Tim Kaine.
“If the department were destroyed, what about the funds that go to K-12 schools for school lunches, for Title One programs, for the Individuals with Disabilities and Education Act. Is the money going to continue to come?” Kaine questioned.
Kaine believes the impacts of removing the Department of Education are wide-reaching.
“If you eliminate the department, there’s work that needs to be done. Who’s going to do that? To date, we don’t have answers to those questions because Linda McMahon couldn’t answer any of them,” Kaine said.
ABC 13 reached out to Republican lawmakers, but they were unavailable for comment.
We also touched base with area school districts to find out how they’re feeling about the potential changes and what it would mean for them.
They said right now it’s too early to tell.