Investigation Into The Trump Administration’s Use of AI To Administer Federal Student Aid Programs

Student Defense is actively investigating the Trump administration’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across federal programs serving students and student loan borrowers.

In April 2025, the White House budget office sent a memo urging all agencies to “accelerate the federal use of AI.” Combined with deep staffing cuts, the directive raises questions about whether federal processes are being outsourced to AI without safeguards or oversight. 

This investigation aims to protect the data of  more than 42 million student loan borrowers. It also seeks to determine whether the government is outsourcing key responsibilities to AI and whether staff are properly trained.

Student Defense has submitted FOIA requests to the federal government about the following topics:

• The use of AI in the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman’s office to handle student inquiries and complaints. 

• The use of AI in rulemaking processes. 

• Contracts and agreements with AI companies.

• The use of AI that affects veterans’ education benefits.

For a comprehensive list of FOIA requests related to this investigation, click here.

Read the press release here.

Federal employees and contractors are encouraged to submit information about how AI tools are being used across agencies through our contact page.