Skip to Main Content
FDLP Resource Guides

U.S. Department of Education

Overview

ED has eight public-facing principal operating components (components) that provide guidance on an ED program or topic. They are Federal Student Aid (FSA), Institute of Education Sciences (IES), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE), Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). Learn more about these components, including their missions and some of their online resources.

Components of ED

Click on each tab in this box to learn more about each ED component. As a visual aid, below is a table that shows the general organization of ED and its components. It does not include all entities. It highlights the organizational relationship of these eight components under ED. The components are italicized and highlighted in yellow.

ED Organizational Chart Showing Eight Components

Federal Student Aid (FSA)

Main website: https://studentaid.gov/

Established: When ED was established in 1979, FSA moved under ED from the then U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. It was under the Higher Educational Amendments of 1998 that FSA became the Federal government’s first performance-based organization, which must “achieve results while improving performance” as congressionally mandated.

About: "Responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965."

Additional FSA information and resources:

Resource Information
Contact Us

Reach out to a contact center for students, parents, and those making repayments.

Announcements and Events Read about the latest news and information.
FAFSA Form Apply online or access an existing FAFSA® form.
Federal Student Loan Repayment Plans    Compare plan options for loan repayment.   
How Financial Aid Works Learn about the process to receive financial aid.
Student Loan Forgiveness Review ways to qualify for loan forgiveness, cancellation, and discharge.

Institute of Education Sciences (IES)

Main website: https://ies.ed.gov/

Established: In 1979 under the name of Office of Educational Research & Improvement (Public Law 96–88)

Mission: "Provide scientific evidence on which to ground education practice and policy and to share this information in formats that are useful and accessible to educators, parents, policymakers, researchers, and the public."

Additional IES information and resources:

Resource Information
National Centers

Learn more about the four national centers under IES:

Events Read about upcoming events, including workshops.
Funding Opportunities Check out IES grants.
Publications & Products Explore data, statistics, and reports on a range of educational topics.
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

Main website: https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ocr

Established: In 1979 (Public Law 96–88)

Mission: "To ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence through vigorous enforcement of civil rights in our nation’s schools." 

Additional OCR information and resources:

Resource Information
Contact Us Reach out to the OCR headquarters or enforcement office in your state or territory.
Frequently Asked Questions See information on OCR enforcement and the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Know Your Rights Explore "Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive Federal funds from ED."
News Room Read about OCR press releases, news, and fact sheets.
Reports Dive into various ED publications.
Rulemaking and Regulations Review OCR regulations on discriminations.
Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE)

Main website: https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/octae

Established: In 1979 under the name of Office of Vocational & Adult Education (Public Law 96–88)

About: "Administers and coordinates programs that are related to adult education and literacy, career and technical education, and community colleges."

Additional OCTAE information and resources:

Resource Information
Contacts Locate contact information for OCTAE.
News Read about the latest information and news.
Adult Education and Literacy Check out programs of the Division of Adult Education and Literacy.
Career and Technical Education Learn about resources on employability skills.
Community College Dive into facts, initiatives, research, and Federal funding opportunities for community colleges.
Legislation and Reports Review laws, regulations, and non-regulatory guidance.
Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA)

Main website: https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/oela

Established: In 1979 under the name of Office of Bilingual Education & Minority Languages Affairs (Public Law 96–88)

About: "Provides national leadership to help ensure that English learners (ELs) and immigrant students attain English proficiency and achieve academic success."

Additional OELA information and resources:

Resource Information
Contact Find OELA contacts in the staff directory.
Frequently Asked Questions See topics, including on ED grants and program performance guidance.
News and Announcements Read about the latest OELA initiatives and news.
Legislation, Regulation, and Guidance Review documents related to Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Education Department General Administrative Regulations (34 CFR 76–99).
Programs and Initiatives Learn about programs, initiatives, and funding opportunities.
Resources Check out tool kits, reports, and additional information.
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)

Main website: https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/oese

Established: In 1979 (Public Law 96–88)

Mission: "To empower States, districts, and other organizations to meet the diverse needs of every student by providing leadership, technical assistance, and financial support."

Additional OESE information and resources:

Resource Information
Contacts and Biographies Submit an online request to meet an office contact.
Consolidated State Performance Reports Find information on the required annual reporting tool for "each State, the Bureau of Indian Education, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico."
Grantees and Applicants   Review guidance documents by program office, topic, or category.
Guidance Apply to formula or discretionary grants.
OESE Sub-Offices earn about the 13 sub-offices, including the Office of Indian Education, Office of Formula Grants, and Office of Impact Aid Programs.
Reports & Resources Check out some resources, including on Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), clearinghouses, labs, and more.
Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE)

Main website: https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ope

Established: In 1979 (Public Law 96–88)

About: "To strengthen the capacity of colleges and universities to promote reform, innovation and improvement in postsecondary education, promote and expand access to postsecondary education and increase college completion rates for America’s students, and broaden global competencies that drive the economic success and competitiveness of our Nation."

Additional OPE information and resources:

Resource Information
Contact Find OPE staff and their contact information in the directory.
News Read about the latest news, including funding opportunities.
Guidance Documents Review OPE's guidance documents, including on Federal Student Aid programs, accreditation, and international and foreign language education.
Policy Initiatives - Library See policy initiatives, negotiated rulemaking, and additional resources.
Reports & Resources Discover information for undergraduates, graduate students, and veterans.
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

Main website: https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/osers

Established: In 1979 (Public Law 96–88)

Mission: "To improve early childhood, educational, and employment outcomes and raise expectations for all people with disabilities, their families, their communities, and the nation."

Additional OSERS information and resources:

Resource Information
Contact Reach out to OSERS with questions and comments.
Legislation and Policy Read about OSERS' role in "monitoring laws and regulations" that "impact individuals with disabilities and their families."
Publications and Products Delve into reports, statistics, and data from OSERS.
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) See information on how OSEP provides financial support for states and local districts.
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Explore RSA resources, including on disability employment, advocacy, independent living, and training programs.
Spotlight Check out the latest OSERS announcements and news.

Quick Facts about ED Components

Federal Student Aid (FSA)

Did you know that FSA "provides approximately $120.8 billion in grant, work-study, and loan funds each year to help pay for college or career school?"

Institute of Education Sciences (IES)

Check out this 5-minute video on what IES does to conduct and analyze educational statistics and data.

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

OCR has 12 enforcement offices across the nation that focus on the office's "core work--preventing, identifying, ending, and remedying discrimination against America's students."

Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE)

Learn more the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan Portal, an interagency resource to "help Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers."

Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA)

Read OELA Fact Sheets that cover a range of topics, from homelessness to demographic trends.

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)

Did you know that the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires a State Report Card for every state, including test performance in math, reading, and science?

Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE)

Find internship opportunities for higher-education students with OPE.

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

Visit OSERS' Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website to "find information and explore resources on infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities."