Educators have faced a lot of uncertainty so far in 2025. So has higher education. As a college that serves and supports many educators, American College of Education (ACE) sits at the confluence of these two areas. It only makes sense that current and future students alike would have questions about how changes in federal financial aid and the Department of Education (DOE) will affect them and our institution.
We have put together this list of frequently asked questions to help students navigate the state of education in 2025. We hope this information is helpful and reassures those who want to go back to school this year to advance their careers. Your professional goals are always worthwhile to pursue, and ACE is in your corner to help get you there.
How Is K-12 Education Going to Be Impacted by New Federal Policies?
We recognize that there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding K-12 education and that educators across the country are worried about what this means for their students, schools and jobs.
The only certainty we have at the moment is that things will change, and we hope that change will bring positive benefits to both teachers and students. Despite the unknown, ACE is confident that our programs teach the skills and competencies that educators need for the next step in their careers. Data shows that:
- Our graduates report an average salary increase of over $21,000.
- For every $1 our students invest in their education, they receive $19.20 in higher future earnings.
No matter what happens, ACE will continue to work tirelessly to ensure we support all educators to the best of our ability and ensure our coursework stays relevant and cost-effective at the high quality our students expect. Our goal is for you to graduate from our programs ready to take on whatever lies ahead in your career.
Is the DOE Going Away?
At this time, it is unclear what will happen to the DOE. We can assume that if there is an attempt to dissolve the DOE, its oversight and functions will either be transferred to other departments in the federal government or more oversight and responsibility will be given to individual states.
If There Are Changes to the DOE, Will ACE Be Impacted?
At this time, ACE does not foresee there to be any direct implications.
Will I Have to Pay Student Loans That Have Already Been Forgiven?
The short answer is no. If you’ve already received a letter from the DOE stating that your federal student loans have been forgiven and your loan balance is zero, you don’t need to repay them.
What Is Loan Deferment?
Loan deferment is a period of time in which you won’t have to make payments on your federal student loans. Students can take advantage of loan deferments if they enroll in a qualifying school’s program. This is called an in-school deferment.
To qualify for in-school deferment, you must enroll:
- In at least half-time status.
- At a college that is eligible for federal student aid. (ACE qualifies.)
Please keep in mind that some loan types may still accrue interest during an in-school deferment. For more information about in-school deferment, visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Can I Defer My Current Federal Student Loans If I Enroll at ACE?
If you enroll in a program at ACE, you can defer repayment on your federal student loans while you’re enrolled. For more information about your loans and to determine your options, we recommend you contact your federal student loan servicer.
If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, please feel free to contact an Enrollment Counselor at info@ace.edu or through the live chat at the bottom of the page. You shouldn’t have to put your career on hold even in the face of uncertainty, and ACE is here to help.
Does ACE Participate in Federal Student Loan Programs?
While students can defer their federal student loans while they are enrolled at ACE, we do not participate in the federal student loan program. ACE offers affordable tuition and many of our students, who are working adults, can pay term-by-term and graduate without debt. In fact, 86% of our students graduate without debt.* For those that need financial assistance, private financing options are available.
Given that most of our students do not accrue additional debt while at ACE and the fact that our graduates report an average salary increase of over $21,000, it’s our hope that students can leave ACE in a better position for enhanced financial health and stability.
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*Source: Source: Internal research completed in June 2024
