To view materials that show what the budget provides for ED programs and activities, visit our Budget Homepage. Additionally, you may view Budget News to track Congressional action on the Education budget as well as Budget Tables.
Contracts and Acquisitions Management, in the Office of Finance and Operations, is responsible for contract execution (solicitation, award, administration, and closeout of all contracts) and other acquisition instruments for the Department including the ten Regional Offices but excluding Federal Student Aid (FSA). For an overview of the contracts process, see Doing Business with the U.S. Department of Education.
Please visit our Contact Us & General Inquiries page to find our toll free numbers and hotlines. You can call to ask an education question at 1-800-872-5327 or file a complaint with one of our offices.
If you wish to contact Federal Student Aid for questions about your account, including repayment, loan discharge eligibility or applications or to file a complaint go to https://studentaid.gov/help-center/contact or call 1-800-433-3243.
We are looking forward to staying connected! Please sign up for email updates and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or one of our many other social media channels.
Dr. Miguel Cardona was sworn in as the 12th Secretary of Education on March 2nd, 2021.
The U.S. Department of Education was established as a cabinet level agency in 1980. Since that time the following individuals have served as U.S. Secretary of Education:
Betsy DeVos (2017-2021)
John B. King Jr. (2016-2017)
Arne Duncan (2009-2015)
Margaret Spellings (2005-2009)
Roderick Paige (2001-2005)
Richard W. Riley (1993-2000)
Lamar Alexander (1991-1993)
Lauro F. Cavazos (1988-1990)
William J. Bennett (1985-1988)
Terrel H. Bell (1981-1984)
Shirley M. Hufstedler (1979-1981)
Job listings and the application for employment is available on USAJOBS. USAJOBS is the official job site of the Federal government and the Recruitment One-Stop (ROS) resource where you can search for jobs, create resumes, and access information regarding your individual job search.
The Department is leveraging the parent and family voice and facilitating discussions between the Department and families and other stakeholders. Raising the next generation is a shared responsibility. When families, communities and schools work together, students are more successful and the entire community benefits. You may wish to access Statewide Family Engagement Centers, resources for parents and families and join our Family Engagement Learning Series.
Regulations.gov is where all comments to federal register notices must be made. You may also access a full list of the Department's most recent federal register notices.
The Congress established ED on May 4, 1980, as a Cabinet level agency, in the Department of Education Organization Act (Public Law 96-88 of October 1979). Under this law, ED's purpose is to:
Strengthen the Federal commitment to ensuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual;
Supplement and complement the efforts of states, the local school systems and other instrumentalities of the states, the private sector, public and private nonprofit educational research institutions, community-based organizations, parents, and students to improve the quality of education;
Encourage the increased involvement of the public, parents, and students in Federal education programs;
Promote improvements in the quality and usefulness of education through Federally supported research, evaluation, and sharing of information;
Improve the coordination of Federal education programs;
Improve the management of Federal education activities; and
Increase the accountability of Federal education programs to the President, the Congress, and the public.
ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. To learn more about ED, please explore About ED and our overview of The Federal Role in Education.
ED offers internships for students interested in seeking valuable work experience in government and federal education policy and administration. ED offers internships in the fall, winter/spring, and summer. To review the application process, please visit our Internship program page.
ED designed the School Ambassador Fellowship program to enable outstanding teachers, principals, and other school leaders, like school counselors and librarians, to bring their school and classroom expertise to the Department and to expand their knowledge of the national dialogue about education. In turn, School Ambassador Fellows facilitate the learning and input of other educators and community members. For an overview of the program and to apply to be a fellow visit our School Ambassador Fellowship program page.