Chicago – March 01, 2025
The U.S. Department of Education is offering some employees up to $25,000 if they quit by Monday. Jacqueline Clay, the agency’s top human resources official, sent an email on Friday with the offer. She said this “one-time offer” comes before a major workforce reduction.
“We are pleased to offer Education Department employees up to a $25,000 Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP), including those who wish to retire,” Clay wrote. Employees have until Monday at 11:59 p.m. to accept the offer, and their resignations will take effect on March 31.
However, not everyone who takes the buyout will get the full $25,000. The payment will be either their severance pay amount or $25,000—whichever is less. Clay advised employees to check their benefit statements before making a decision.
There are also rules about who qualifies. Employees must have worked for the federal government for at least three years without a break. Those who received student loan repayment benefits in the past three years are not eligible. Other bonuses, such as relocation or recruitment payments, may also disqualify some workers.
This move is the latest sign of big changes at the Education Department. Since President Donald Trump took office, many employees have already left. His administration has warned of major layoffs in the federal government. Recently, Trump even said he wants the Education Department to be “closed immediately.”
