Dear Students, Faculty, Librarians, and Staff,
Today, there has been a great deal of reporting — and confusion — about yesterday’s White House announcement that federal agencies will “temporarily pause” grants, loans, and federal financial assistance programs.
Subsequent information issued this afternoon stated that any program providing direct benefits to individuals is explicitly excluded from this pause. The announcement stated that federal student aid funds, including Pell Grants, federal student loans, and federal work study, as well as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will not be paused. Federal student aid will continue to be awarded and disbursed.
Late today, a federal judge temporarily blocked the administration’s efforts to freeze the funding programs. Still, many of you have questions and concerns, which have been compounded by reports that some online portals to Medicaid, the Veterans Administration, and other federal agencies are currently unavailable to state governments and individuals.
Here at USF, the offices of the general counsel, financial aid, sponsored programs, business and finance, and members of cabinet are following this matter closely. We are also working with the government relations team at the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) in Washington, D.C., and are in touch with financial aid administrators at other institutions in California and across the country to ensure we have clarity and current information.
As we closely monitor this situation, we will keep students, faculty, and staff advised and share details when available. Together, we will navigate this situation with care for our entire community and a commitment to USF’s mission and values.
Sincerely,
Eileen Chia-Ching Fung
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs