The Department of Education said on Tuesday it would lay off nearly half its staff as part of the department's "final mission," it said in a press release, alluding to Trump's vow to eliminate the department, which oversees $1.6 trillion in college loans, enforces civil rights laws in schools and provides federal funding for needy districts.

Affected Education Department employees will be placed on administrative leave starting on March 21, the department said.

The union representing more than 2,800 department workers said it would fight the "draconian cuts."

"What is clear from the past weeks of mass firings, chaos, and unchecked unprofessionalism is that this regime has no respect for the thousands of workers who have dedicated their careers to serve their fellow Americans," said Sheria Smith, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252.

A person at the department said the administration plans to move a program that helps college students determine if they will get financial aid to the Treasury Department. Known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, it is one of the most important things the Education Department does to help families prepare for college and graduate school.

Add as a preferred source on Google