The U S. Department of Education is the agency of the federal government that establishes policy for administers and coordinates most federal assistance to education. It assists the president in executing his education policies for the nation and in implementing laws enacted by Congress. The Department's mission is to serve America's students, to ensure that all have equal access to education and to promote excellence in the nation's schools. The department also establishes policies relating to federal financial aid for education, administers distribution funds and monitors their use. It was established by Congress in 1980 and is located in Washington, D.C.