Hundreds of users reported FAFSA outages to Downdetector starting midday Wednesday, saying they were having trouble completing the form, which is required for financial aid at colleges nationwide.

Another government agency could potentially handle student loans, but experts warn it could be a bumpy transition.

If the department does fully shut down, student loans are not going away. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said that the agency will continue to deliver funding mandated by law, which includes federal student loans. Trump said they would most likely be overseen by a different federal agency.