In a policy shift, the government will no longer be garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers who have defaulted on their federal student loans. Tax refunds will also not be withheld. People with loans in default may be able to work with the Default Resolution Group to find a solution
Last-reviewed: Feb. 4, 2026
Childcare and Early Education
- Head Start: Families can apply for a local Head Start program online (en Español) or by calling 1-866-763-6481. Children qualify automatically if their family is experiencing homelessness, receives food assistance (SNAP), receives financial assistance (TANF/SSI), or if they are a foster family. A new policy making many immigrant families ineligible has not yet gone into effect. Programs include: Early Head Start (pregnancy, 0-2 years old), Head Start (3-5 years old), Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (pregnancy, 0-5 years old), and American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start (pregnancy, 0-5).
- Childcare: Families can apply for child care financial assistance through their state’s program (en Español). Military families who are on the waitlist for Military Child Care can apply for a fee assistance program offered by their Service.
- Home Visiting: Parents and guardians can look at individual agencies that offer home visiting services and select the one that best addresses their needs.
Elementary and Secondary Education (K-12)
- School Lunch: Students qualify for free lunch if their household gets food assistance (SNAP), financial assistance (TANF), or tribal assistance (FDPIR); by meeting the requirements for their state’s National School Lunch Program; or by attending a school that is covered by the Community Eligibility Provision. Summer food programs for all children 18 and under are available through the SUN Meals Program.
- Summer Nutrition for Students: Use the USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder to locate food resources for children 18 and under. Check with local school departments for more information.
- Special Education: At no cost, a student with a disability can request an IEP or 504 Plan to make sure their school is meeting their unique needs. Extended School Year services may be available to some students with IEPs.
- Immigration Status: The Trump administration rescinded previous guidance that designated schools as “sensitive areas,” meaning that immigration officials may now enter schools to conduct arrests. Many schools have issued guidance to staff to help protect their students.
University and Federal Student Loans
- Work Readiness: Job Corps provides a residential work readiness program for students (16-24 years old). Interested students can apply online (en Español). While applications are still open, the Department of Labor attempted to close down many Job Corps programs. A federal judge has ordered that the program continue; the court case is ongoing.
- Immigration Status: Each state has a different policy on whether students without documentation can pay in-state tuition or receive financial aid. At least 24 states and D.C. have adopted a tuition equity law or policy. The National Immigration Lawyer Center’s report has more details or visit the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, which keeps an up-to-date list with state specifics.
- Federal Student Loans – FAFSA: The 2026-2027 FAFSA form is now available. Most states have state financial aid programs that can provide assistance.
- Federal Student Loans – Loan Repayment: The government will no longer be garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers who have defaulted on their federal student loans. Tax refunds will also not be withheld. People with loans in default may be able to work with the Default Resolution Group to find a solution.
- Federal Student Loans – SAVE and Income Driven Repayment Plans: After a settlement agreement in December 2025, the SAVE program is being phased out. No new applications are being accepted. Borrowers whose loans were in forbearance will be switched to a different payment plan, likely with higher monthly payments. Income Based Repayment (IBR), Income Contingent Repayment (ICR), and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) plans will be phased out by July 2028, when a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is scheduled to start for new loans in July 2026.
- Federal Student Loans – Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PLSF): Borrowers who work for the government or a not-for profit organization may be eligible for forgiveness under a special program called Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Recent rule changes limit the organizations that are eligible for loan forgiveness. These regulations will likely be challenged in court.
Unlocking Access® Resources for Care Teams
There are many ways care teams can support people with education and childcare-related needs. For more specific legal information and strategies, care team members who have access to Legal Key’s Unlocking Access® Hub should log in.
If you are a Legal Key partner who does not have their login information, or you’d like to learn more about how to gain access to the Unlocking Access® Hub, get in touch with us!
Spotlight on Equity
Any school or program that receives money from the U.S. Department of Education cannot discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
- Sex: They must provide equal access to all education programs and activities, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. It also protects against sexual harassment and sexual violence.
- Language Access: They must offer language access assistance to all students with limited English proficiency and communicate in a language guardians understand.
- Immigration Status: They cannot deny access to students based on immigration status. In other words, students without documentation have a right to attend school.
- Disability: They must work to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
People who have been discriminated against can contact the Office for Civil Rights (en Español), the federal office that enforces federal civil rights laws.